but I couldn’t see any distinct reddish color at your photos. If the photo isn’t taken with a wrong white balance the Sulfo-Vanillin check seems to be negative.

Have added a photo after applying sulfo-vanilla. The specimen was past its prime but still looks reddish to me. Anyone agree or disagree?

You’re right about the use of Sulfo-vanillin for Russula ID. The main use of the solution is in staining the cap cystidia. Their colored black to purple-grey.

I emailed Bob this as he asked me about a buying source: In Germany I ordered my chemical components at Andreas Gminders shipping service for mycologists at http://www.myko-shop.de/ – perhaps there is an similar shop near you? Otherwise I would try my luck at a pharmacy wehre you know the owner or retailer. Because since 9/11 the sales of chemicals (e.g. the sulphuric acid) to private persons is getting more difficult – at least here in our country.

Bob, I’m not sure about your result – could you post a photo that shows the color reaction? As I did the Sulfo-vanillin check I transfered the solution on the flesh of the pileus but not in the near of the gills. And it appeared quickly a distinct luscious wine red color reaction that fades out within some minutes.

http://www.amazon.com/...
and your neighbor G. Sheine
is selling it all the time too.

I emailed him about the vanilla about 30 minutes ago. Never heard of it. Guess its for Russula ID.

and potassium hydroxide as well?

Andreas,

Following your suggestion I applied Sulfo-vanillin to the cut surface of the mushrooms pictured here. A red band appeared at the base of the gills. I also did the test an another group of similar but smaller oysters that I thought were P. pulmonarius, and there was no red band. Thanks for your suggestion, and I would appreciate your reaction.

Bob

This collection reminds me of a bunch of pleurotoid fruitbodies which has been founded last year by the mycologist Heinrich Holzer in the Bavarian National Forest (Germany):

http://forum.fungiworld.com/index.php?topic=5055.msg29646

As I saw the fungus, I think it was Pleurotus pulmonarius. But the color of the trama changes to wine red with Sulfo Vanillin – a feature of Pleurotus ostreatus (Source: Knudsen, Henning & Vesterholt, Jan (2008): Funga Nordica. Nordsvamp, Scandinavia. ISBN: 978-8-798-39613-0).

Without the results of the Sulfo Vanillin check I couldn’t choose any of the two species, Bob.

Regards, Andreas

Here’s Kuo’s description: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/pleurotus_pulmonarius.html 4.5 inches.

I (with minimal confidence) consider ostreatus a darker, thicker and cold weather fruiting species. P. pulmonarius loves beech, wild cherry and other hardwoods including poplars like aspen which is also home to P. populicola.
Looking at the original descriptions of each (which I have not done) might help sort them out. When I started mushrooming I called what I was finding P. sapidus due to the violet spore prints. I have noticed that some fruitings that I find on big tooth aspen have strong anisette odor.

Walt,
The mushrooms pictured here were up to 6" in diameter. Would that be consistent with pulmonarius, or more likely ostreatus?
Bob

In fact this year I have found several different flushes on Cherry Trees.The only other one this Spring was on a Popular.

Walt,

Can’t be sure about the tree species, but area was populated by oaks and wild cherries, so doubt if it was an aspen.

Bob