Fungi 2012

[Maggi Young]

I'm no expert either but I think Handkea utriformis can reach 25cm across.

Maggi, Calvatia gigantea don't have the reticulate skin like this, as far as I know.

Thanks, Trond,
 I thought all the puffballs could have reticulated skins at some point in their development.

[ruweiss]

Dear friends,
Many thanks for the quick identification.
Hans, I had no tape measure with me, but think, that the fungus was about
20 cm in length.
Wish I could  find  some time a truffle with this dimensions!

[ronm]

Warning! - the following images may make your eyes pop 

Amanita muscaria, The Fly Agaric.  Autumn can't be far away here, 

[Hoy]

But where are the flies? . . . you have to collect those for Xmas decorations!

Here is my mushroom for today: (yes, it is)

[ronm]

But where are the flies? . . . you have to collect those for Xmas decorations!

There are two theories, well worth Googling, as to why they are called Fly Agaric.
Really?? .... Xmas decorations !! please explain further Hoy.

Can anyone point to any corroboration that the 'Norse raiders to these shores' sent the Beserkers to the for in battle because they thought they were immortal due to the effects of this Fungi???

[Maggi Young]

Not strictly corroboration, Ron, but I've heard similar tales about gangs from rival football teams..........

[ronm]

  Modern day 'Beserkers'. 

[Maggi Young]

Modern day 'Beserkers'. 

 Oops, clicked the wrong button there.... yes, modern day Beserkers is probably a good way to  describe some of those guys.

[Hoy]

There are two theories, well worth Googling, as to why they are called Fly Agaric.
Really?? .... Xmas decorations !! please explain further Hoy.

Can anyone point to any corroboration that the 'Norse raiders to these shores' sent the Beserkers to the for in battle because they thought they were immortal due to the effects of this Fungi???

The Norwegian name means the same: Fluesopp. So it is not to lure the flies but the contrary

It's much used as an ornamental at Xmas - not the real toadstool however but artistic copies:



http://www.google.no/search?q=julepynt+sopp&hl=no&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=cqS&rls=org.mozilla:nb-NO:official&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=H5IuUOfRHqbl4QSOw4CIDg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1173&bih=550#hl=no&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=QB8&rls=org.mozilla:nb-NO%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=julepynt+fluesopp&oq=julepynt+fluesopp&gs_l=img.3...100044.101068.0.101723.4.4.0.0.0.0.102.312.3j1.4.0...0.0...1c.TLif2KkqNIM&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=3f6f969e77d14dc3&biw=1173&bih=550

I've seen freeze dried real toadstools - they're fine but I've never tried myself.

The berserks never used fly agaric but some Siberian tribes did. They wore bear (ber) shirts (serk) and drank mead (mjød).

[ronm]

  Amazing images ( in the link ) Hoy. Very special. Think I'll do some this Xmas and see what reactions we get Love the glass tree decorations and the 'sewn' Fluesopp.

Thanks for bothering to share this info. and also clearing up the 'Beserkers' story. 

[Hoy]

Ronm, you are welcome; it's a pleasure

If you want to try fly agaric use the urine of a person who has eaten the mushroom. It works better they say and you don't get that bad headache.

[ronm]

I'm sure you are correct Hoy, and will try at the first opportunity, 




I am by far the biggest liar in the world!!!

[Hans J]

to Amanita muscaria - the german name is "Fliegenpilz"

so far I know have earlier farmers made this fungi ( cuttet ) in a jar with milk ...this jar they bring in the house for the cow's ...when the flies cames and drink from this milk so they are dead after short time ...

[Hoy]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanita_muscaria


The major toxins involved in poisoning are muscimol (3-hydroxy-5-aminomethyl-1-isoxazole, an unsaturated cyclic hydroxamic acid) and ibotenic acid. Muscimol is the product of the decarboxylation (usually by drying) of ibotenic acid. Muscimol and ibotenic acid were discovered in the mid-20th century.[67][68] Researchers in England,[69] Japan,[70] and Switzerland[68] showed that the effects produced were due mainly to ibotenic acid and muscimol, not muscarine . . . .

A substantial fraction of ingested ibotenic acid is excreted in the urine unmetabolized quite rapidly, between 20 and 90 minutes after ingestion. Virtually no muscimol is excreted when pure ibotenic acid is eaten but muscimol is detectable in the urine after eating A. muscaria, which contains both ibotenic acid and muscimol

In Norwegian:
Bruk

Rød fluesopp har blitt rapportert helt til nyere tid som enteogen i Øst- og Vest-Sibir, i ritualer med formål å kommunisere med åndeverden. De aktive ingrediensene blit utskilt i urinen til den som konsumerer soppene. Det har derfor i noen tilfeller vært praksis at sjamanen spiser soppene først, for å så la andre i stammen drikke urinen. Sjamanen renser da vekk de mest giftige stoffene (svette og rykninger blir forårsaket av muskarin, som ikke er tilstede i urinen). Denne metoden ble brukt av de fattigste i stammen, da de ikke hadde råd til sopp selv. Prisen på en sopp på sitt verste kunne ofte koste et helt reinsdyr. Sjamanene urinerte derfor i kopper og krus til de økonomisk strevende siden det var eneste mulighet til at alle kunne delta i ritualet. Soppene blir sjeldent konsumert rå, men i soltørket form hvor de hallusinogene stoffene er mer konsentrert (ibotensyre blir omdannet til det langt mindre giftige og langt mer psykedeliske stoffet muskimol).
Etymologi

Fluesoppen ble i gamle dager sagt å brukes som insektmiddel, i knust form blandet med melk. Denne metoden dreper dog ikke fluen, men legger den heller i dvale, lenge nok til at mennesker som "ikke ville gjøre en flue fortred" kan kaste den ut vinduet.

Det eksisterer ofte flere sider av samme sak og annen part mener at navnet aldeles ikke kommer fra den alternative insektsmiddelløsningen, men at det her dreide seg om effekten av å konsumere soppen. Det ble sagt at selve rusopplevelsen, ifølge historien, kunne få vedkommendes hode til å simre og føles som en flue.

It says the fly isn't killed but tranquilized.

[ronm]

I was just about to say that...

It says the fly isn't killed but tranquilized.

A 40 yr old Glenfiddich does that to me !!