The annual Dorothy Fornof Walk takes place at Deer Lakes park in June and is one of my favorites. Mid June is when we start to see a big increase in the variety of species found on a walk and there it is when  an abundance of mycorrhizal species start to emerge. The frequent rain storms moving through the area over the last few weeks meant this year was no different. We had a mixture of attendees from beginners to mycologists and took an easy walk down to the lake, along the creek and back up through the woods taking in a variety of micro habitats.

This year we found a number of bolete species, most of which could be identified and an equal number of Amanita species some of which where harder to identify. John Plischke though one of the Amanita amerifluva like species we found was Amanita justice. The specimen had a noticeably darker center to the cap than the more uniform coloration of A amerifluva.  I measured the spores, and they were just in the expected range. Another was identified in the field as Amanita ceciliae but it seems Amanita ceciliae is a European only species and the correct US name is Amanita rhacopus. Again, the spore measurements and features matched the published descriptions to confirm this. The final harder to identify Amanita was though to be an unsubscribed species. It had an interesting snakeskin pattern on the stem. I have measured the spores but not yet got any further in identifying it. Other species of note were the two forms of Abortiporus biennis, in finger form and a more open cup form with a non-fertile cap and fertile under surface. And an Eyelash cup specimen was found and the microscopic features have been collected. It will be identified shortly.

There were a number of Chanterelle species found from the early smooth Chanterelle nubbins to the tiny Cantharellus minor. We found black trumpets too, Craterellus fallax. The most interesting Chanterelle find was a close relative to the black trumpet, Craterellus foetidus. Craterellus fallax has thin flesh and a pleasant aroma that intensifies when dried. Craterellus foetidus is a more meaty mushroom with thicker flesh and a stronger odor. It is also a choice edible. This is the first time the club has found Craterellus foetidus on a walk although I have found it at Deer Lakes at the same spot in the past and John Plischke has posted multiple sightings on iNaturalist.

Species list entered by Richard Jacob. Species identified by Richard Jacob,
John Plischke, La Monte Yarroll and others.

List of species found on the walk at Dorothy Fornof Foray at Deer Lakes park:
Abortiporus biennis (),
Allodus podophylli (Mayapple Rust),
Amanita flavoconia (Yellow Patches),
Amanita flavorubescens (Yellow Blusher),
Amanita farinosa (),
Amanita rhacopus (),
Amanita vaginata var. vaginata (Grisette),
Aureoboletus auriporus (Sour Gold-Pored Bolete),
Cantharellus lateritius (Smooth chanterelle),
Cantharellus minor (Small Chanterelle),
Cerioporus varius (),
Coprinellus micaceus (Mica Cap),
Craterellus fallax (Black Trumpet),
Craterellus foetidus (Black Trumpet),
Hypomyces hyalinus (Amanita Mold),
Inocybe rimosa (Straw-colored Fiber-head),
Laccaria laccata (Common Laccaria; Deceiver Laccaria),
Lactifluus volemus (Fishy Milkcap),
Leccinellum crocipodium (),
Lycogala epidendrum (Wolf’s Milk Slime),
Marasmius opacus (),
Megacollybia rodmanii (Platterful Mushroom),
Neofavolus alveolaris (Hexagonal-pored Polypore),
Phylloporus leucomycelinus (Gilled Bolete),
Pluteus petasatus (),
Russula crustosa (Green Quilt Russula),
Russula vinacea (),
Schizophyllum commune (Split Gill),
Stereum hirsutum (Hairy Parchment),
Stereum ostrea (False Turkey-tail),
Suillus granulatus (Dotted-stalk Suillus; Granulated Slippery Jack),
Trametes versicolor (Turkey-tail),
Trichaptum biforme (Violet Toothed-Polypore)

Species not currently on clubs life list:
Amanita justicei
Amanita sp.
Lactarius sp.
Otidea sp.
Russula sp. (red various)
Crepidotus (larger than normal)