Although single spores are microscopic, they form conspicuous masses. A spore print can be made by placing a mature, spore-bearing mushroom cap on a sheet of white paper. The cap is then covered with a bowl and left for a few hours at room temperature. A print of the spores will be left on the paper. Spores vary in colour from white to yellow, pink, purple brown or black.
Spore colour is a very stable characteristic of mushrooms and is useful for identification purposes.
Mushroom Hunting The richest selection of mushrooms and toadstools is to be found in the woodlands, particularly in the autumn. Different forest types contain their own distinctive fungi. Mature conifer woodlands have a limited understory because the tree density is high and the shortage of light restricts the growth of plants beneath the trees. Mycorrhizal fungi are often necessary for the trees to develop their full potential. The beautiful colours of the deciduous woodlands in autumn are an additional bonus for the mushroom hunter.