The Nutritional Benefits of Mushrooms: Button, Crimini, Oyster, and Shiitake Mushrooms are not just flavorful and versatile; they’re also packed with nutrients, making them an excellent addition to any diet. Here’s a look at the nutritional highlights of some popular varieties: Button Mushrooms (White Mushrooms) These are the most common mushrooms found in grocery stores….
The genus name Gyromitra is derived from the following: gyro – round, or convoluted. (gyroscope) mitra – headdress (Mitre, mitre joint) There are more than 10 species of Gyromitra in the Pacific Northwest with a variety of shapes from the classic brain shape to less obvious disc-shaped mushrooms. More on Pacific Northwest Gyromitra here: …
Identifying Cottonwood Trees How to find black cottonwood for early-season mushroom hunting in the PNW Black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) is one of the most important trees for early-season mushroom hunting in Western Washington. While our region is dominated by conifers, cottonwoods grow along rivers, streams, and lake margins — and they’re among the first trees…
It comes as a surprise to many when I say that the edibility of mushrooms is on a spectrum. Poisonous mushrooms can often be eaten when prepared in sometimes quite elaborate ways. For instance, there is a method for preparing the classic Amanita muscaria in a way that can remove the toxins. This involves boiling…
Fungus vs. Mushroom What’s the Difference? People use “fungus” and “mushroom” interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing. A fungus is the entire organism. A mushroom is just one part of it — the reproductive structure that pops up above ground to release spores. It’s like the difference between an apple tree and an apple….
A replay from 4 Apr 2023 seminar for the VanDusen Botanical Garden. Replays are viewable for all Intro and Full-level accounts
Mycologists are scientists who study fungi, which include molds, yeasts, and mushrooms. Most mycologists pursue careers in various fields, such as academia, research, industry, or government. Their work often involves diverse aspects of fungal biology, ecology, genetics, and taxonomy. Some common career paths for mycologists include: Academia: Mycologists often work as professors, lecturers, or instructors…
Someone recently asked about harvesting mushrooms near a quarry and wondered if I had any specific guidelines surrounding this. I asked a friend and soil scientist for his feelings on this. Here are some of the things he had to say about it What was quarried? Usually quarries are for stone or sand, so there…
Lesson Plans for Mushrooms There has been an increasing level of interest among educators for lesson plans or curricula related to mushrooms and the fungal kingdom. I have started creating lesson plans targeting middle school students and will begin sharing by this fall. In the meantime, I have a list of what I feel are…
Toadstool is an informal word for a mushroom with certain aesthetic. These mushrooms have a typical umbrella-like cap and central stem growing from the ground. The term toadstool does not refer to any specific mushroom. The most classic example of a toadstool is Amanita muscaria or Fly Agaric. This conspicuous mushroom has a red cap,…
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