While there has been a surge in the forests of many parts of the Hautes-Pyrénées for two weeks, mycologists from associations in the Southwest have found themselves in Bigorre, where they have made abundant and rich harvests with species never seen before.
The fire has been affecting the Bigorre forests for two weeks, and thanks to the first major growth, the Bigorre Mycological Society invited mushroom experts from five companies in the southwest to harvest and exchange for days in the mountains of Spandelles. On Friday (178 species were harvested), on Sunday (134 species) on the Lienz plateau, on Saturday via Gavarnie (210 species). Around forty mycologists participated. “Some of these species are still being identified. For example, we discovered a species that has never been listed, Lactarius Aqui zonatus,” explains the president of the AMB, the famous mycologist Even Gilles Corriol of the Botanical Conservatory. The people of the Pyrenees did not know this. In particular, the fact that other rare species have been collected is undoubtedly the reason why, for example, the chanterelles that we are not used to seeing have appeared. These rare mushrooms will be sequenced to determine their DNA. In total, around thirty mushrooms have been sent to the National Library of the Natural History Museum in Paris.
This is a weekend with the opportunity to discuss these sometimes surprising harvests for experts. “We saw a lot of things with real diversity and mycological richness,” explains Robert Cazenave. “It was the aim to share our knowledge of common species and discover rarer ones, especially those specific to the mountain environment.”
These encounters occur at a time when the fire in the forest is increasing thanks to the abundance of porcini mushrooms. “There was a significant contrast between the considerable heat and the abundant rain that led to the mycology, but within a few kilometers we have very different situations, as we observed in a more irrigated inventory between Tournay and Cieutat,” explains Robert Cazenave. “It is the end of a growth, but if it is not too cold here, another one can quickly appear thanks to the expected rains.”
Some tips for harvesting
Some advice for the mycologist: “Ceps need moist soil but can grow in drier environments. If it grows under an oak, beech or oak tree in a forest, you should first look carefully at where you find them. Chestnut tree, because that would be the norm for this wood, then we remove the mushroom, we do not collect porcini mushrooms as we collect apples from an apple tree, because the reproductive part does not cause it to grow again. It could harm security and identification. On the other hand, you should not dig, clean the moss, trample around it, in short, you should disturb the center as little as possible.”
Hundreds of mushrooms were exhibited in Odos on September 28 and 29
The Bigorre mycology association is holding its exhibition in the Odos village hall on the weekend of September 28 and 29. This week, the AMB will present the latest collections of the twenty or so mycologists in the field. “There is always something unknown. We will have between 200 and 400 different species. It will be an opportunity to see rare mushrooms, but it also calls on everyone to be careful. There are still many people who poison themselves.” So you can bring your own harvest to identify the mushrooms. “Some may even find themselves exposed,” smiles Robert Cazenave. Botanical stands on trees, lichens and plant galls, as well as a children’s corner, will be on offer. Two lectures, one on the Secret World of Fungi on Saturday and the other on lichens (Sunday), will take place around 15:00. Entry is free.
