NAMA/GSMS 2009 LAFAYETTE, LA - NOV 26-29 2009
Gulf States Mycological Society hosted the North American Mycological Association annual foray in Lafayette, LA, Thursday - Sunday, November 26 - 29. The event was held at the Holiday Inn – Lafayette, where the food, lodging, and facilities were excellent.
A microscopy workshop was held from Nov. 22 - 26.
Drs. Andy Methven and Walter Sundberg were the instructors. Participants were shown the special features of fungi that can only be seen with magnification. It is the only easy way to separate some families from one another and can settle many otherwise puzzling dilemmas. In addition, it’s fun. GSMS members attending the workshop were David Fuller, Therese Martin, Hanna Tschekunow, and 7 NAMA members.
Co-Chief Mycologists were Clark Ovrebo and Juan Luis Mata, GSMS Scientific Advisors. Presenters included M. Catherine Aime (LSU- Baton Rouge), Charles Allen (CO State), Meredith Blackwell (LSU-Baton Rouge), Bart Buyck (National Museum of Natural History, Paris, France), Jay Justice, Matthew Keirle (State College of FL), Harold Keller (Botanical Research Institute of TX), Patrick Leacock (Field Museum), D. Jean Lodge (USDA Forest Service Puerto Rico), Juan Luis Mata (U South AL), Andrew Methven (Eastern Illinois U), Clark Ovrebo (U of Central OK), John Plischke III, NAMA Photography Chair; Samir A. Ross (U of MS), David Rust, NAMA Webmaster; Ron Spinosa, NAMA Cultivation Chair; Walt Sturgeon, Walter Sundberg (Southern IL U, Emeritus), Rodham Tulloss, and Tom Volk (U of WI-LaCrosse). Patrick Leacock, of the Field Museum of Natural History and the NAMA Voucher Committee, kept us updated on the species found. From "Evaluation of Fossil Myxomycetes in Amber" (H. Keller) to "AOK ID W/DNA PCR ASAP, LOL: Modern Methods in Mushroom Systematics" (T. Volk), participants were treated to a wide spectrum of informative and entertaining presentations. The Mycophagy committee, led by Ursula Pohl, prepared an excellent feast featuring pickled, fried, sauted, and baked mushrooms.
Field trips were made to nearby Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site in St. Martinville; Chicot State Park and the Louisiana State Arboretum, both north of Ville Platt, Nature Conservancy property at Lake Martin, "Heartwood" owned by Antoinette DeBosier near Catahoula; also the Acadiana Park and Nature Center, the Vermillion River Nature Trail, and Lafayette Soccer Fields, all in the City of Lafayette. Field trip leaders were GSMS members David Fuller, Heinz and Julie Gaylord, Jay Justice, David Lewis, Juan Luis Mata, Julia O'Neal, and Brooks and Bernadine Young.
We were treated to many beautiful mushroom photos as part of the NAMA Mushroom Photo Contest. Thanks to John Plischke III for providing this activity.
Evening entertainment was provided in music and song about mushrooms and mushroom names, written by lead player Peyton Wilson, who played the harmonica and guitar. Peyton was assisted by Mitch Fournet on the tambourine, Julie Gaylord as singer, Ben Rauch on the flute, and Phillip Tussing on the Irish drum. This excellent performance was perfect for the event. All but Mitch are GSMS members.
Our President, David P. Lewis, received the 2009 NAMA "Award for Contributions to Amateur Mycology". This is a prestigious award as candidates must be supported by local club members and approved by a majority of the living past receipients. David Rust, NAMA Webmaster, received the "Presidents' Award" for his work on the NAMA Website. Both expressed their appreciation for the honor.
Total attendance was 110 persons from 28 states,
Graduate students hosted by the NAMA Voucher Committee were Paul Scott and Allison Walker, sponsored by GSMS, and Matt Foltz, sponsored by Tom Volk. Our thanks to them for their hard work.
Although the species count was not high, we found over 170 fungi species + 9 lichens. However, many seldom seen (by Northern members) tropical fungi were encountered, and include species such as Auricularia polytricha, Cymatoderma caperatum, Fomes fasciatus, Hexagonia hydnoides, Microporellus dealbatus, Nigroporus vinosus, Polyporus tenuiculus, Pseudofavolus cucullatus, Trametes nivosa, Trametes menziesii,and several others. Patrick Leacock, of the NAMA Voucher Committee, stated that we added at least 40 new records to the NAMA master species list. Rod Tulloss reports that an Amanita, #T43, is new to science.
Our appreciation goes out to everyone who worked to make this a successful foray, who are too numerous to mention. Many thanks to organizers David and Patricia Lewis for showing us a wonderful time "In the heart of Cajun country."