Things that go bump in the night? It might be you dropping dead if you’re not careful with your foraging. Or if you sample mushroom ragout cooked by your enemy.
I love this time of year for the fresh apples, the crisp days, and the colourful fungi peppering the forest floor, like these that I found on a recent camping trip. But sometimes those mushrooms and toadstools, if eaten, have ugly consequences. If you’re in the mood for mushrooms, purchase from the grocery store or market. I repeat, DO NOT EAT! unless you are a mycologist (fungus expert).
Craterellus ignicolor, Flame chanterelle, is considered edible, though it’s found to be quite bland. When dried, they’re used as a pale yellow dye for textiles and paper.
Russula xerampelina, Shellfish-scented russula. Mm … doesn’t that sound yummy? I confess I didn’t give it a sniff and am quite glad. Considered edible, and indeed prized by some, I’d give this a miss due to the fishiness that lingers during and after cooking.
Hygrocybe Cantharellus, Goblet waxcap. Here’s another that is edible but bland, also insubstantial. Not worth the bother. Best to leave them to decorate the forest.
Ganoderma tsugae, Hemlock varnish shelf. This beauty grows on diseased or fallen hemlock trees, appears to be varnished, and resembles a shelf. Was someone lacking imagination when they came up with that common name? Though non-poisonous, they’re considered inedible because of their tough, woody texture. A tea can be made from the lips of the shelf and may have medicinal properties, but this is unproven and disputed.
Clavulinopsis fusiformis, Golden spindles, or an even better name in my opinion, spindle-shaped fairy club. As you might guess based on its appearance it’s a species of coral fungus. Though non-poisonous, it’s been described as both edible and inedible. Hm … I don’t much like that ambiguity. Although, it’s commonly eaten in Nepal, so … when in Nepal???
Finally, if someone offers you an omelet containing Amanita flavorubens, Yellow American blusher, run for the hills. While a few of the Amanita species are edible, they are so similar in appearance to poisonous species that it’s advised to just steer clear. There are about six-hundred species of Amanita, many of which grow amongst the mighty hemlock trees. Many are inedible, some are poisonous, and others are deadly poisonous, the most toxic mushrooms in the world and responsible for ninety-five percent of mushroom related fatalities. The inedible species include ringless panther and false death cap. Poisonous examples are known as fly agaric and panther cap. And the ones to stay far away from, the deadly poisonous species, are destroying angel (I think the clue is in the name, don’t you?), fool’s mushroom (you’re not only a fool but a dead fool), and death cap (no ambiguity with that name!).
Toadstools might be pretty to look at and make the perfect backdrop for a tale about fairies but are best left untouched.
Now, I’ve got some yummy stuffed mushrooms just out of the oven … who wants one?
Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. She spends her days writing spicy contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and historical romance. When not torturing her heroes and heroines, she’s in her kitchen baking something delicious. She lives in Nova Scotia with her patient husband and five hens.
3 comments:
Well, I was never a big fan of mushrooms before reading your post, Luanna. Now? even less so...
Did you take all the pictures?
Thanks for an interesting and educational post!
I enjoyed your post. Love the descriptive names!!! They are so varied and so beautiful. I love finding them in the woods, but agree with your advice not to eat them unless you find them in the market.
I do love photographing mushrooms, but no way would I eat one I found, even if told it was harmless. I do, also love cooking with mushrooms - but yes, store-bought please and thank you. I do love stuffed mushrooms.
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