Fungi in the Forest: A Community Foray at Sungai Congkak

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Abstract Fungi are of great importance in ecology and economy. On February 15, 2025, a group of experts and enthusiasts organized by the Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch Mycology Special Interest Group (MNSSB Mycology SIG) conducted a guided walk at Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest Park, Malaysia. The event's main objective is to provide the public with an understanding, appreciation, and conservation of fungi. It also provides comprehensive education, innovative research, and community engagement, which makes mycology accessible to everyone.

Introduction

Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest Park (Sg. Congkak) is a popular weekend getaway, especially for families, campers, and nature lovers residing in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. It is located in a cool and hilly area of Hulu Langat, Malaysia. Its 5 hectares of dipterocarp rainforest is part of the great Titiwangsa mountain range. Therefore, it is an ideal location for a community engagement event focusing on fungi awareness, appreciation, and conservation.    

On February 15th, 2025, the Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch Mycology Special Interest Group (MNSSB Mycology Group) organized a fungi-guided walk/survey of the forest. The survey was led by Loon Yit Hong and 13 members, consisting of fungi enthusiasts and citizen scientists. The team explored the main access trail, which covered a total distance of approximately 4.0 kilometers.

The event aims to educate the public about fungi and promote their appreciation and conservation. It also provides comprehensive education, innovative research, and community engagement, making mycology accessible to everyone. 

MNSSB Mycology SIG Members: Group Leader Loon Yit Hong (6th from the left), Committee Members (Jacqueline Low (5th from the left), Lenny Wong (3rd from the right), Chan Chee Keong (5th from the right), volunteers and participants. 

MNSSB Mycology SIG Members at the entrance of Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest Park. 

Material and Methods

Survey Area and Data Collection

The survey area was along Sungai Congkak's main access trail. The three-hour guided walk was conducted on February 15th, 2025.

Information about the fungi (including identification, photos, coordinates, size measurements, description, and ecology) was documented and uploaded to the iNaturalist platform. Further accurate identification is verified by mycologist1 and expert2.

Results and Discussions

Despite the limited area covered by the guided walk, which ended in approximately three hours, we made many fungi observations and successfully uploaded them to the iNaturalist platform.

 

Sharing fungi knowledge with the participants before the foray.

      Two people working on a table AI-generated content may be incorrect.    

Fungi photography skill-sharing among members and participants.

Recorded Families, Genera, and Species

As summarized, our findings encompass a wide range of fungal families and genera.

Parasitic Fungi

  • Invade a living host and obtain nourishment, often causing damage to function and structure. 
  • Parasitic fungi can affect plants and animals alike, with the most striking example being the Ophiocordyceps genus. Fungi that live on insects (entomopathogenic fungi).

   A close up of a plant stem AI-generated content may be incorrect. A close-up of a bug AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Complex Ophiocordyceps australis on Dinomyrmex gigas (Giant Forest Ant) as host.

(Photos by Jacqueline Low)

A close-up of a spider AI-generated content may be incorrect. A spider on a leaf AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Purpureocillium atypicola on a spider host.

 (Photos by: Lenny Wong)

 A close-up of a ant on a leaf AI-generated content may be incorrect. A close up of a bug on a leaf AI-generated content may be incorrect. A close-up of a black ant AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Complex Ophiocordyceps unilateris on an ant host.

 (Photos by Jacqueline Low)

Ectomycorrhizal Fungi (EMF)

  • Important part of the forest ecosystem, and almost all trees can form symbiotic relationships with EMF (mycorrhizal)
  • EMF obtained carbon sources (carbohydrates) from their plant host/partner. In return, they will provide water and mineral nutrition to their plant host
  • With their huge mycelia network, EMF can access resources that are sometimes difficult for plant roots.

A mushroom growing in the dirt AI-generated content may be incorrect. A mushroom growing in the ground AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Cantharellus cerinoalbus (Chanterelle)

 (Photos by: Jacqueline Low)

 A mushroom with a white stem AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Russula sp. (Brittlegills)

 (Photos by Jacqueline Low) 

 A close-up of a mushroom AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Russula sp. (Pink Brittlegills)

 (Photos by: Loon Yit Hong)

 A close up of a mushroom AI-generated content may be incorrect. A green mushroom growing in the ground AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Russula sp. (Brittlegills). Bio-florescent blue on cap / Bio-florescent green on gills and stipe.

 (Photos by: Loon Yit Hong)

 A hand holding a yellow mushroom AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Boletaceae (Bolete)

 (Photos by Jacqueline Low)

   

Inocybe sp. (Fibercap)

 (Photos by: Loon Yit Hong)

 Saprophytic Fungi

  • The largest group of fungi. 
  • Grow on dead organic matter such as fallen trees, dead branches and leaves, cow patties, and even dead insects and animals. 
  • An important role in the decomposition of organic matter and nutrition cycling, especially in nitrogen cycling.

  

  Lentinus squarrosulus

 (Photos by Jacqueline Low)

 

Tricholomopsis sp.

 (Photos by: Loon Yit Hong)  

  

Unknown mushrooms growing on dead wood. Bio-florescent blue on UV light.

 (Photos by: Loon Yit Hong)

  

Coprinellus cf. disseminatus. (Trooping Crumble Cap / Fairy Inkcap)

 (Photos by: Jacqueline Low)

Termitomyces spp. 

  • The termite mushroom is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. All species in the genus have a mutualistic symbiosis with termites.
  • The termites provide a constant environment for fungal growth and help disperse spores. In return, the fungi provide food for the termites (Soumitra Paloi et al., 2023).

 

  

Termitomyces microcarpus. Bio-florescent blue on UV light.

 (Photos by: Loon Yit Hong)

Conclusions

The event successfully documented rich fungal diversity in the forest despite surveying briefly. Through engagement with members and participants, the aim was to provide the public with an understanding, appreciation, and conservation of fungi. It also provides comprehensive education, innovative research, and community engagement, which makes mycology accessible to everyone.

Acknowledgment

Loon Yit Hong (Event Organizer and MNSSB Mycology Lead Coordinator)
Jacqueline Low (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)

Chan Chee Keong (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)

Lenny Wong (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)

1Luca Pilia (Mycologist)

2Joseph Pallante (Amateur Mycologist)
Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch (MNSSB)
Event volunteers: Kho Wui Kiong, Khor Hong Beng, and Ooi Bak Keong.

Ronnie Ooi, Ammar Rahimin, Ken Voon, Ashley Chow, Low Soon Teong, Eileen Chwee, and their families participated in the event.

References

Soumitra Paloi et al. (2023). Termite Mushrooms (Termitomyces), a Potential Source of Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds Exhibiting Human Health Benefits: A Review Article in Journal of Fungi · January 2023. DOI: 10.3390/jof9010112

 

Hi, I'm Joe, a mushroom hunter, traveler, and photographer who shares his stories and photos of fungi. With a sharp eye for spotting different mushroom species and a passion for exploring their habitats, I offer readers a unique window into the world of mycology.

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