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What to name your fungi?
When building up knowledge of local fungi it is often necessary to use a mixture of formal and informal names. A main reason for giving fungi names is to be able to be sure that each time you refer to or record that name, you know for sure that you are referring to exactly the same fungal species. It really doesn’t matter what you call a fungus, as long as you give it the same name each time you find it. If you have taken a photograph, kept specimens, or made notes about a fungus which you know by a particular name, then consistent use of the name you have given that fungus is important.
Informal names of fungi
Because many fungi are unnamed, or at least difficult to identify, it is a good idea to create your own names for fungi. These informal names can be based on colour, shape, size or other feature, e.g. “shaggy tall mushroom”, or “giant salmon gum bolete”. The names can be used for species of a recognized genus, e.g. “Amanita yellow warty veil”, or “Boletus red cap, yellow stem”. Names can be based on a location or vegetation where you find it, e.g. “Kunjin wandoo puffball”. Or if it enables you to remember a species, names can be based on a person who may have first found it, e.g. “Meg’s golden mushroom”.
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