"MYX-O-MASTERS"

MYXOMYCETES FIELD COLLECTING GUIDE

prepared by Trish Smith, Warrensburg Middle School, 9/04

1. Locate a RedCedar (Juniperus virginiana) tree and mark it's approximate location in the "habitat" section of a "Database" page. Select a tree tag and record the number on the database page. Use the hammer to attach a tree tag number as high as you can reach on the side least visible to people walking or driving by.

2. Label a paper sack with your block number, date, and tree number.

3. Study the surface of the tree...on different sides and at different heights. Look for any signs of dampness or other life forms growing on the tree...darkness, tracks, etc.

4. Carefully, without damaging the tree, collect pieces of the bark from the area that is about 2 meters above the ground and place them in the paper sack. Collect enough specimens to fill your paper sack half-full. If you collect from another height, place the additional samples in separate bags. Be sure to mark the paper sacks with the collection height.

5. Keeping an eye on your watch, Repeat steps 1 - 4 for as many other RedCedars as you have time for.