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Making spore prints
A spore print can be made by placing a mushroom cap which is mature but not too old, with the stem removed and the spore-bearing gills facing down, onto white paper. It can be covered with paper or glass for protection against air movements and desiccation. A drop of water placed near the fungus may help to prevent drying out. After a period of one hour to overnight (depending on the size and condition of the specimen), the spores should have been deposited on the paper. The colour of the deposit itself is useful for broad identification purposes, and the spores can be used later for microscopic examination. Spore print colour should be noted as soon as possible as they may change colour on drying, and may change further after lengthy periods of storage. They adhere to the paper by static electricity but can be easily brushed off and therefore require some protection. Label the spore print paper with the name and/or code number of the fungal collection, allow the paper to dry out, and then fold it in half with the spore deposit facing inwards. Store spore prints with the corresponding fruit bodies.
Spore prints can be made from many types of fungi such as mushrooms, brackets, corals and clubs. Truffle-like fungi generally do not produce spore prints.
Tip: Some fungi produce white spore prints and these can only be seen easily on non-white paper.
Print Friendly Version (Section: "Building a Useful Resource")
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