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Discovering the Diversity of Mushrooms in the Adirondacks: The Legacy of Howard J. Banker

One of the most significant mycologists to conduct research in the Adirondacks was Howard James Banker (1883-1972), an American mycologist who specialized in the study of macrofungi. Banker made important contributions to the understanding of the diversity and ecology of mushrooms in the Adirondacks and other regions of North America.

Howard J. Banker

Howard J. Banker was born in Newark, New Jersey, and spent much of his childhood exploring the forests around his home. He earned a degree in botany from Rutgers University in 1906 and went on to pursue graduate studies in mycology at Cornell University. In 1913, he joined the faculty at the University of Kansas, where he would spend most of his career.

Banker was a prolific researcher and writer, publishing numerous papers and books on the diversity and ecology of macrofungi. He was particularly interested in the taxonomy and systematics of mushrooms and was instrumental in the development of new methods for identifying and classifying fungi.

Research in the Adirondacks

Banker conducted several expeditions to the Adirondacks between 1921 and 1932, where he collected and studied a wide variety of mushrooms. His research in the region led to the discovery of several new species of mushrooms, including Tricholoma atrosquamosum, Inocybe jacksonii, and Paxillus allardii.

One of Banker’s most significant contributions to the study of mushrooms in the Adirondacks was his work on the genus Russula. He collected and identified dozens of species of Russula from the region, many of which were new to science. Banker’s research on Russula helped to establish the taxonomy and systematics of the genus and remains an important reference for mycologists today.

Banker’s Legacy

Howard J. Banker was a prominent figure in the field of mycology and made significant contributions to our understanding of the diversity and ecology of mushrooms in the Adirondacks and other regions of North America. His work on the genus Russula and his discovery of several new species of mushrooms in the Adirondacks helped to establish the foundation of modern mycology.

Sources:

  • Banker, H. J. (1928). Studies in the genus Russula. III. The subgenus Compactae. Mycologia, 20(6), 295-322.
  • Banker, H. J. (1932). The Russulae of the Adirondacks. Mycologia, 24(2), 94-108.
  • Banker, H. J. (1943). The North American species of Tricholoma. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 30(4), 325-441.

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