Fungi of the Sierra Nevada
General Description:
Students will be introduced to the different kinds of mushrooms and other large fungi that occur in the spring in the Sierra Nevada (See SNFC species list). Emphasis will be placed on the analysis of macro- and micromorphological features, as well as ecological roles, to aid in the identification of taxa.
The daily class routine consists of an 8:00-10:00 am lecture followed by a field trip until approx. 3:00 pm. Transportation on the field trips will be by car pooling. Upon return to the camp, collections will be examined and identified in the laboratory (3:30-6:00 pm) in collaboration with the instructor and a knowledgeable graduate student assistant. All equipment, microscope slides, cover slips and reagents required for accurate determination of specimens will be provided. In the evenings, several lectures and slide shows will be presented, and the laboratory will be open for additional work on collections. If sufficient quantities of edible fungi are collected, they will be prepared for consumption and served to the class by the camp's chef.
Instructor
Class Schedule
Participants should plan to arrive Sunday afternoon in time to attend an orientation lecture on Sunday evening at 8:00 pm. The last class meeting ends 12:00 noon, Friday.
Supplies and Other Useful Items
Optional Textbooks
- HOW TO IDENTIFY MUSHROOMS TO GENUS I:
Macroscopic Features by David Largent
Order at Amazon - KEYS: Photocopies of "Keys to the Spring Fungi of the Sierra Nevada" written by Dr. Dennis E. Desjardin may be purchased from the instructor at the Field Camp (approx. $15). Other references will be available in the laboratory, including monographs of selected genera, common field guides, picture books, etc.
Required Equipment
- Collecting basket
- Wax paper
- Sturdy knife
- A small hand cultivator or garden trowel (for digging truffles)
- A 10X hand lens
CREDIT:
The course carries one unit of college credit and may be taken for a letter grade or Credit/No Credit. For questions regarding class content email the instructor at ded@sfsu.edu
REGISTRATION:
Please direct all questions concerning registration procedures and fees to:
J R Blair, Sierra Nevada Field Camp Director,
Department of Biology, San Francisco State University,
1600 Holloway Ave., San Francisco, CA 94132
email: jrblair@sfsu.edu
