Mushrooms!

[Misty Blue]

OK all of you naturalists...

What is the story on all of the mushrooms this year?

I can't go behind the wood shed to (well you know) with out having to step around mushrooms! White ones, green ones, blue ones, red ones, purple ones!

Where did they all come from?

Misty Blue

[Slickcraft]

Rain, rain and more rain over the past month.

[Pineedles]

Yes it is a heavy crop that has come up recently. You need more chipmunks around you. The little devils have been harvesting them these past 2 weeks.

[dowshill]

we've seen wonderful ones this year, even got us to pull out the camera and I have never had an interest in mushrooms before but the colors and shapes are amazing.

[Argie's Wife]

we've seen wonderful ones this year, even got us to pull out the camera and I have never had an interest in mushrooms before but the colors and shapes are amazing.

...maybe you shouldn't eat THOSE mushrooms.... :)


How do you know which ones are edible vs. which ones are poisonous?

[Pineedles]

BTW, don't eat any mushrooms that chipmunks eat! They are immune to many tyes that are poisonous to humans. Of course there are a few folkes on this forum, that may be immune too. :laugh:

[upthesaukee]

...that you were supposed to fertilize mushrooms!;) Go figure.

[Bear Island South]

...maybe you shouldn't eat THOSE mushrooms.... :)


How do you know which ones are edible vs. which ones are poisonous?

I have heard the more colorful they are the more poisonous

[tis]

I have heard the more colorful they are the more poisonous

I hear that too. I wish I knew because I love mushrooms but I just don't dare to pick wild ones.

[Jonas Pilot]

Interesting sight.

http://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/

[CateP]

we've seen wonderful ones this year, even got us to pull out the camera and I have never had an interest in mushrooms before but the colors and shapes are amazing.

I was thinking the same thing when I've been doing my woods walks. I never really noticed mushrooms before, but for some reason this year they were REALLY catching my eye. I am even thinking of getting a mushroom identification field guide. Is there an app for that!

Answered my own question:
Yes there IS an app for mushroom ID (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id402237176?mt=8) (nothing I would use to ID edibles however)

[Rattlesnake Guy]

RG has been picking trash bags full each week to keep the dogs from experimenting with mushrooms.

[donnamatrix]

RG: I thought Mac only went after corn cobs - has he taught Bailey?

[dowshill]

we wouldn't dare to eat any of them and I have been watching the dog but she shows no interest in eating them, unusual because she is a lab and usually eats anything.

[John A. Birdsall]

My father tells of this visitor that arrived at the cottage late one day. Dad had gone to see a neighbor about something when they saw this guy going thru the woods picking mushrooms. Since neither my father or his friend knew this guy they asked him what he was doing and who he was visiting.. He said he was visiting the Birdsall's and he was picking some mushrooms for dinner. My dad told him who he was and that the mushrooms were perhaps poisionous. Well it was funnier to hear my dad tell it.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

RG: I thought Mac only went after corn cobs - has he taught Bailey?

So far, so good. I actually harvested a couple more bucketfuls (wearing vinyl gloves) to be sure they wouldn't try to taste them. That resulted in a super severe allergic reaction that lasted days for me. :emb: Now I will steer clear of them and hope for the best regarding the dogs.

Hindsight being 20/20, I would certainly change clothes and shower after such a mushroom expedition. An allergy mask/filter might have been helpful too.

Has anyone else had such an experience handling shrooms?

[Rattlesnake Gal]

I searched Winnipesaukee.com's Photo Gallery (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/index.php) for mushrooms for your viewing enjoyment.

Click on the name under the picture to go into the gallery, where you can click on the picture for a super-sized version for more detail.

dcr gets top billing because he actually knows what he took photographs of! :laugh: I also included his photo descriptions for your information.

Webmaster, it just might be time to add another category to Photopost for flora and fungi! :D Thanks for providing such an excellent gallery for us!

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/506/medium/Turkey_tail_fungus.jpg
A Colorful Woodland Phenomenon (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=10017)
From the gallery of dcr (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=199)
dcr's description:
Yesterday, while walking through Weeks Woods in Gilford, I came upon these bright-orange mushrooms growing on an old stump. Not only are they a bright orange, but they appear to have a 'varnished' surface, which gives them very high visibility, even on a day as dark and gloomy as yesterday was. The next posting has a discussion of what species they might be.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/506/medium/Turkey_tail_2.jpg
Knowledgeable Mycologist Needed (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=10016)
From the gallery of dcr (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=199)
dcr's description:
I've found my effort to identify this mushroom from the web to be rather frustrating. There are at least 3 different species that look something like, but not precisely like, the speciman I'm concerned with: Laetiporus sulphureus (Chicken mushroom or Chicken-of-the- woods), which is edible and apparently reminds users of chicken; Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail - looks like a fanned out turkey's tail as seen during their mating season) - the word versicolor suggests that these mushrooms come in various colors, including orange, and this does look something like a turkey tail; Stereum hirsutum (False turkey tail) - looks similar to the previous example, but has some distinct properties of its own. Primarily because the web suggests that Trametes versicolor is the most common of the 3, I'll suggest that that is the species we see here. What is more important is that the speciman is an extremely colorful addition to the beauty to be enjoyed while walking through our local woodlands.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/500/medium/199Halloween_fungus2.jpg
A Halloween Fungus (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=7952)
From the gallery of dcr (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=199)
dcr's description:
This fungus, seen growing on an injured and dying oak tree beside a trail at Castle in the Clouds, has the orange and yellow colors typical of Halloween. My best guess is that it is a polypilus frondosus (known commonly as Hen-of the Woods) - if true then it is considered edible and choice by mushroom connoisseurs, but only at a stage much younger than this (now it is quite woody in texture). However, some mushrooms can be lethal if eaten, so one should not experiment with them without an expert's advice - a mistaken identification can be deadly at worst, or highly uncomfortable at best.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/506/medium/Stonedam_fungus_2.jpg
Ganoderma lucidum or Lacquered Polypore (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=8994)
From the gallery of dcr (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=199)
dcr's description:
When very young this fungus is Chinese Red, bright yellow and white - later the white and yellow disappear. Not edible, but it is reputed to have the potential for great efficacy in the treatment of Alzheimers, cardiovascular disease, cancer and more - not yet proven, but is under study. An Asian variety (called Reishi or Ling Chi) has been used in China and Japan for centuries for enhancing vital energy, improving memory (and virility) and thinking power, and increasing lifespan. You can find multiple web sites touting its many supposed powers - if it proved useful in treating even a small fraction of these ailments, it would become a miracle plant. Photo taken on Stonedam Island last summer. I'm not even an amateur mycologist, but my web research makes me fairly confident that I've identified this correctly.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/506/medium/Rand-Cliff--natural-arch2.jpg
Rand Cliff-Natural Arch on Path Out (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=16560)
From the gallery of dcr (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=199)
dcr's description:
When hiking the trail from Rand Cliff out, the natural arch created by rock falls from the cliff, which the trail passes under, looks like this as you approach it. If you're 6 ft or more tall you have to duck a little to get under the near part of the arch roof. Note the plant growth on the huge boulder at the left - that is a plant partnership between a fungus and an alga (to form a lichen), the first providing the food (energy) for the plant, and the second providing protection, water conservation, etc. This plant is known as Rock Tripe, a reference to the fact that it had been used by native Americans and early white explorers of this continent as an emergency or starvation food in times of crisis - tripe suggests that it is edible, but not especially palatable (and causes some people serious digestive distress - but that is better than starvation). The fungal element can store water and thus exist without rain for a year or more - during periods when water is plentiful the plant is soft & its color is greenish, but when drought occurs it turns leathery in texture and becomes brownish. Rock Tripe - http://www.sierrapotomac.org/W_Needh...ipe_080211.htm


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/525/medium/IMG_4440.jpg
Rainy day mushroom (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=18056)
From the gallery of Jonas Pilot (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=1368&cat=500)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/507/medium/PICT0002-b.jpg
Wild Mushrooms (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=18073)
From the gallery of Rattlesnake Gal (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=176&cat=500)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/507/medium/PICT0007-b.jpg
Three Mushrooms! (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=18077)
From the gallery of Rattlesnake Gal (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=176&cat=500)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/525/medium/IMG_4146.jpg
The next stage of a tree (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=18014&ppuser=1368)
From the gallery of Jonas Pilot (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=1368&cat=500)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/507/medium/PICT0004-b.jpg
Rattlesnake Island Shroom (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=18074)
From the gallery of Rattlesnake Gal (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=176&cat=500)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/525/medium/IMG_4096.jpg
Late summer mushroom (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=18013&ppuser=1368)
From the gallery of Jonas Pilot (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=1368&cat=500)


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/507/medium/PICT0008-b.jpg
Trumpet-Style Mushrooms (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=18078)
From the gallery of Rattlesnake Gal (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=176&cat=500)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/525/medium/IMG_4101.jpg
Mushroom season (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=18011&ppuser=1368)
From the gallery of Jonas Pilot (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=1368&cat=500)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/507/medium/PICT0006-b.jpg
Inside Out Mushroom (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=18076)
From the gallery of Rattlesnake Gal (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=176&cat=500)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/525/medium/IMG_4098.jpg
Anybody know what this is called? (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=18010&ppuser=1368)
From the gallery of Jonas Pilot (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=1368&cat=500)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/507/medium/PICT0005-b.jpg
Pretty Mushroom (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=18075)
From the gallery of Rattlesnake Gal (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=176&cat=500)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/513/IMG_2813.jpg
Fungi - Does anyone know what this might be? (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=17065&ppuser=1368)
From the gallery of Jonas Pilot (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=1368&cat=500)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/513/medium/IMG_2812.jpg
Fungi - Does anyone know what this might be? (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=17064&ppuser=1368)
From the gallery of Jonas Pilot (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=1368&cat=500)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/513/medium/IMG_2805.jpg
Fungi - Does anyone know what this might be? (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=17063&ppuser=1368)
From the gallery of Jonas Pilot (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=1368&cat=500)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/525/medium/948mushroom_1.JPG
An Offsprring of Nature (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3621)
From the gallery of Shamrock (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=948)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/513/medium/IMG_2804.jpg
Fungi - Does anyone know what this might be? (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=17062&ppuser=1368)
From the gallery of Jonas Pilot (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=1368&cat=500)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/513/medium/IMG_2729.jpg
Fungi - Does anyone know what this might be? (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=17061&ppuser=1368)
From the gallery of Jonas Pilot (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=1368&cat=500)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/513/medium/IMG_2726.jpg
Fungi - Does anyone know what this might be? (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=17060&ppuser=1368)
From the gallery of Jonas Pilot (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=1368&cat=500)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/513/medium/IMG_2723.jpg
Fungi - Does anyone know what this might be? (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=17059&ppuser=1368)
From the gallery of Jonas Pilot (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=1368&cat=500)

Do you have mushroom/fungi photographs to share with us? I, for one, would love to see them! :D

If you can, please help identify our mushrooms. Thanks!

[Pepper]

Click to read the story on WMUR's website, regarding a rise in treatment for mushroom poisoning...

http://www.wmur.com/health/29315343/detail.html

[Pineedles]

Kind of says it all when they say a lot of poisonous ones look like the safe to eat ones. Most of the adults who got sick, have to be people who THINK they know what they are doing.

[SteveA]

Another story on wild mushrooms.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/21/us-mushrooms-idUSTRE79K4MU20111021

Be Careful!