Finally,
The project about mapping wild mushrooms in
Lebanon is out!
A video speaks louder than words:
The project consists of a map with wild mushroom specimens, their
locations, along with pictures and descriptions of them. It is based on the
only two research papers on the topic I’ve found, Joseph Thiébaut research
paper “Champignons observés dans le Liban et la Syrie de 1930 à 1933”
along with Nadine Modad research paper “Survey and identification of
wild mushrooms in Lebanon” and my own research and findings over the
past few years.
It took me around 2 months, or almost 15h to fill the map. These research
papers have been my bedtime stories for quite a while.
I’ve been interested and researched mushrooms in the region since our scavenging excursion in 2017 where we’ve found a boletus luridiformis along with many other species.
This includes, apart from reading the research papers above:
- Reading books such as:
- The Edible Mushroom Book — a guide to foraging and cooking — Anna Del Conte, Thomas Laesee
- The complete Mushroom Hunter — An illustrated guide to finding, harvesting, and enjoying wild mushrooms — Gary Lincoff
- North American Species of Lactarius — Alexander H. Smith
- Watching documentaries and following Youtube channels such as:
- Frequently going on hikes during Autumn and Spring to find new species.
- Seeking out dried and non-dried, or served at restaurants, exotic mushrooms such as morels, king oyster, shiitake, portobello, porcini, cordyceps, lion’s mane, and more.
- Actively following /r/mycology subreddit.
- Getting in the mood by playing the fungi board game.
- Checking the already available map on mushroomobserver
… and much more.
Fungi are now a hobby of mine and I’ll keep doing research and adding specimens to the collection on the map as I discover them.
Again, here is the project link if you missed it.
And, here are some pictures for you enjoyment:
Let me know what you think of this project and if you like it, and remember to be safe when harvesting for consumption.
If you want to have a more in depth discussion I'm always available by email or irc.
We can discuss and argue about what you like and dislike, about new ideas to consider, opinions, etc..
If you don't feel like "having a discussion" or are intimidated by emails
then you can simply say something small in the comment sections below
and/or share it with your friends.