Taking samples in the field. Small sections of fresh tissue (∼1 cm2 × ∼0.5–1 mm thick, preferably containing the hymenium) were excised from the mushroom with flame-sterilized forceps, scalpel, or scissors and laid broadside down in the centre of a quadrant of a Whatman FTA® PlantSaver card. After closing the plastic-reinforced flap over the tissue, a rubber mallet or similar blunt instrument was used to pound the tissue with moderate force. A few smart whaps were usually sufficient to squash the tissue. A video demonstration of this technique can be viewed on It is important to open the flap and observe the liquid contents of the tissue soaking through the card completely. If this is not seen, then there may be insufficient tissue used, insufficient force was applied when hammering or the tissue source is too dry to yield reliable DNA for PCR. We successfully used this method with young, fresh specimens from a wide range of taxa across the Agaricomycetidae, including polypores, e.g. Ganoderma spp., and other taxa with little water content, e.g. Pterula spp., but we did not thoroughly test this method with drier fruit body types like corticioids and trimitic polypores. The cards were then either allowed to dry on a tabletop or, such as when sampling in the humid tropics, placed in freezer-quality sealable plastic bags that contain a small amount of indicating desiccant. The desiccant should be replaced with a fresh supply whenever necessary to maintain low humidity in the bags.