al-Tair. Posted May 27, 2009 Hey guys, first post here after heading your wonderful advice for a couple of years now! Went on a bit of a hunt today in SE Victoria, came up with a reasonable haul. On my travels I encountered these little guys which almost look like subs that have blued themselves silly. Just wanting to know what your thoughts are? Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MindExpansion Posted May 27, 2009 Could well be little subs, I'd try not to pick any mushrooms that havent opened their veils yet, for both ID purposes and the purpose of spreading those spores, once they have dropped spore their reproductive purpose should be just about served. Peace Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
al-Tair. Posted May 27, 2009 From the same patch... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
al-Tair. Posted May 27, 2009 Oh thanks for the reply mate, yeah i've been trying to steer away from the less formed ones, will take that on board. Is it normal for subs to get very blue (almost black) on top before they're picked? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gerbil Posted May 27, 2009 this isn't an ID, but i'd say they are subs. Yes is it normal for them to be like that, it's a sign of environmental conditions like getting hit by a frost or drying and wetting, drying and wetting etc; they've been through a rough patch over time and are not in their pristine state. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
holymountain Posted May 29, 2009 yeah some of the ones i've found have been almost totally black...i'd assume it was from frost and rain etc. makes it a bastard to find them though you really have to train your eyes to look for them. from the pics they do look a lot like subs...don't quote me on that though.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poo Posted May 30, 2009 I don't think the black is so much from frost as from the sun. I've personally only seen it twice. If you put a sub in direct sunlight it will get black really quickly. I think what tends to happen is the subs are subjected to the warmth and light of the late afternoon sun very briefly before it falls below the hills and the temp drops down again. This brief window of heat/light isn't quite enough to destroy them, but shocks and discolors the outer flesh, then the sudden drop in temp allows them to recover and try to keep growing/opening up. That's why you'll often see that one small section of the cap is less affected, the side more protected from the sun. Just a theory... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conan Troutman Posted May 30, 2009 its blue not black and is from degradation of the actives, so yes from rain, sunlight, being picked ect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
al-Tair. Posted June 3, 2009 Yeah the pics don't show the colour all that well, but it's definitely a really dark blue. Thanks for all you help gents! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites