Bio: Elaine Davison is a plant pathologist/mycologist who has worked on diseases in native ecosystems and horticulture. Since retirement from the public service she has developed a long held interest in Amanita mushrooms. She recently received a grant from the WA Naturalists’ Club Inc. and Lotterywest for DNA sequencing of amanitas which complements previous work funded by ABRS.
The talk will introduce the fungi, covering what they are, and their importance in the ecosystem. DNA techniques now underpin their identification, and, within the cosmopolitan mushroom genus Amanita, have revealed a group that is unique to Australia.