The North American Mycological Association (NAMA), is a non-profit organization of amateurs and professionals who are interested in
fungi
A fungus (plural, : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of Eukaryote, eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and Mold (fungus), molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified ...
, including
mushroom
A mushroom or toadstool is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground, on soil, or on its food source. ''Toadstool'' generally denotes one poisonous to humans.
The standard for the name "mushroom" is ...
s,
morel
''Morchella'', the true morels, is a genus of edible sac fungi closely related to anatomically simpler cup fungi in the order Pezizales ( division Ascomycota). These distinctive fungi have a honeycomb appearance due to the network of ridges ...
s,
truffles
A truffle is the fruiting body of a subterranean ascomycete fungus, predominantly one of the many species of the genus ''Tuber''. In addition to ''Tuber'', many other genera of fungi are classified as truffles including '' Geopora'', '' Pezi ...
,
mold
A mold () or mould () is one of the structures certain fungi can form. The dust-like, colored appearance of molds is due to the formation of spores containing fungal secondary metabolites. The spores are the dispersal units of the fungi. Not ...
s, and related organisms. NAMA aims "to promote, pursue, and advance the science of
mycology
Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their genetic and biochemical properties, their taxonomy and their use to humans, including as a source for tinder, traditional medicine, food, and entheogens, a ...
."
Membership
Membership is open to all persons interested in fungi, including both professionals and amateurs of any skill level.
Publications
The official journal of NAMA is ''McIlvainea: The Journal of Amateur Mycology'', which is published bi-annually.
NAMA members also receive ''The Mycophile'', NAMA's bi-monthly newsletter.
NAMA members also provide educational material for teaching and learning about fungi vi
their website
Activities
Since 1961, NAMA has sponsored an annual foray, at which members meet to collect and identify mushrooms and other fungi. Each year the foray takes place in a different location in North America.
NAMA tracks North American
mushroom poisoning
Mushroom poisoning is poisoning resulting from the ingestion of mushrooms that contain toxic substances. Its symptoms can vary from slight gastrointestinal discomfort to death in about 10 days. Mushroom toxins are secondary metabolites produc ...
cases (of humans and animals), and maintains
registry for submission of new cases NAMA also provides a guide t
See also
*
Mycological Society of America
The Mycological Society of America (MSA) is a learned society that serves as the professional organization of mycologists in the U.S. and Canada. It was founded in 1932. The Society's constitution states that "The purpose of the Society is to promo ...
, NAMA's sister society for professional mycologists
External links
Official webpage of the North American Mycological Association
Mycology organizations
Year of establishment missing
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