Kanching Waterfall Eco-Park Fungi Foray – Let’s hunt for the Bolete Mushrooms.

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 Received: 23 Aug 2025 / Accepted: 24 Aug 2025
@mnsselangorbranch.org

Highlights

The Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch Mycology Special Interest Group (MNSSB Mycology Group) has organized a public fungi foray on 23rd August 2025, at Kanching Waterfall Eco-Park, Selangor. The event aims to highlight the crucial role fungi play in biodiversity, with a special focus on bolete mushrooms. This is also part of the group conservation effort on offering in-depth education, showcase innovative research, and encourage community involvement, making mycology accessible to everyone.

The highlight of the event was the fascinating showcase of various mushrooms, not just the targeted Boletaceae (Boletes), but also other families like Russulaceae, Hydnaceae (including Chantharellus sp.), Sclerodermataceae (Earthballs), Ophiocordycipitaceae (Zombie-Ant Fungi), Crepitotaceae (Oysterlings) and even some unidentified mushrooms. Loon Yit Hong, the Mycology Lead Coordinator of MNSSB, shared some essential tips for identifying mushrooms, especially Boletes, and discussed how to use the iNaturalist platform to document these findings. Dr.Patahayah Mansor, a mycologist from the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), provided an in-depth explanation of saprotrophs and ectomycorrhizal fungi, along with their natural habitats. Saprotrophs can be found on dead tree logs, branches, and leaf litter, while ectomycorrhizal fungi typically grow in the soil and form symbiotic relationships with their tree hosts.

The participants embark on a hunt for mushrooms on the forest floor, guided by the facilitators. They also learn how to take great photos with their cellphones, capturing the details of the mushrooms right in the field. The highlight of the experience is the thrill of discovering unknown mushrooms, which excites both the participants and the facilitators alike.


Event starts with safety briefing and fungi introduction to participants. 
(Photo by Wong Wei Fong)

  

Loon Yit Hong (Left), MNSSB Mycology SIG Lead Co-Ordinator and Dr.Patahayah Mansor (Right), mycologist from FRIM, introduce basic fungi knowledge to the participants. 
(Photos by Wong Wei Fong)





The group hunts for mushrooms along the walking trails of the forest park.
(Photos by Wong Wei Fong)


Young participants applying photographing techniques shared by facilitators
(Photos by Wong Wei Fong)



A facilitator demonstrated the photographing technique using a Lensebong on a small mushroom.
(Photo by Wong Wei Fong)


Some identification methods on Boletes – size measurement and colour change observation
(Photos by Loon Yit Hong)


Gyroporus sp. (Boletaceae - Boletes)
(Photos by Loon Yit Hong)



Russula sp. (Russulaceae - Brittlegills) – florescent blue and green under UV light.
(Photos by Loon Yit Hong)


Scleroderma sinnamariense (Slerodermataceae - Earthballs)
(Photo by Loon Yit Hong)
Crepidotus sp. (Crepidotaceae - Oysterlings)
(Photo by Jacqueline Low)


Ophiocordyceps unilateralis (Ophiocordycipitaceae – Zombie Ant Fungi)
(Photo by Jacqueline Low)
Chantharellus sp. (Hydnaceae - Chanterelles)
(Photo by Loon Yit Hong)


Pulveroboletus sp. (Boletaceae - Boletes)
(Photos by Loon Yit Hong)


Unknown mushrooms – florescent green under UV light.
(Photos by Loon Yit Hong)

Conclusions

The event turned out to be a great success, with all the participants understanding the importance of fungi and their vital roles in biodiversity, particularly on boletes and other types of fungi found in Kanching Waterfall Eco-Park. This sets a solid foundation for the long-term goals of the Mycology SIG, which aims to provide comprehensive education, promote innovative research, and inspire community involvement to make mycology accessible to all.

Acknowledgement

Loon Yit Hong (MNSSB Mycology Lead Coordinator)
Alexia Ng (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)
Jacqueline Low (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)
Chan Chee Keong (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)
Lenny Wong (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)
1Luca Pilia (Mycologist & MNSSB Committee Member)
2Joseph Pallante (Amateur Mycologist & MNSSB Mycology Co-Founder)
Dr.Patahayah Mansor (FRIM Mycologist)
Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch (MNSSB)
Event volunteer and participants: Kho Wui Kiong, Khor Hong Beng, Wong Wei Fong, Mohd Syahir bin Hasniran, Ho Choon Yan, Ilya Firzah Mohd Azahar, Yeong Lyn Yeow, Ong Bee Yee, Azri bin Hasbullah, David Hogan Jr, Ammar Rahimin and their family members participated to the event.

Hi, I'm Loon, a fungi enthusiast who loves exploring, discovering, and hunting mushrooms. Reading and studying about fungi keeps my curiosity alive about the wonders of nature.

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