“Is This a Morel?” A free photo quiz to sharpen your morel identification skills before you hit the woods Morel season is approaching, and every year we see the same questions in foraging groups: “Is this a morel?” Sometimes it is. Sometimes it’s a Verpa. And sometimes it’s a Gyromitra — which can make you…
A guide to some of the most popular foraged mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest and suggestions on how to find them
The following is a selection of mushrooms found in our region in January. Some have very specific habitats and might only be found in a small part of the region. Cat’s Tongue Pseudohydnum gelatinosum Considered a species ‘complex’, which includes multiple closely related species that can be difficult to separate visually. Chanterelle Cantharellus Chanterelles can…
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….
Seattle-area mushroomers may be preparing for an excellent late-summer mushroom season this year. Cooler temperatures and above-average rain will prompt fruitings of many species found in our region’s late summer months, including choice edible species like king boletes and chanterelles. There is more to love about mushrooms than just these popular choice edibles. There…
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: …
What do you do if you suspect that you, someone else, or a pet has eaten a poisonous mushroom? Time is critical. Quickly do the following 1) Gather information for accurate identification. 2) Try to determine if it’s one of the following general types of mushrooms There are very few mushrooms that when eaten can…
Morels are one of the most commonly foraged mushrooms in the United States, and likely one of the most popular around the world. They are broadly distributed globally, are very recognizable, and are relatively safe for a beginner to identify. The popularity of morels also results in a lot of misconceptions about them as well….
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…
Introduction Navigating the spectrum of mushroom edibility and toxicity presents a complex challenge. Even widely accepted edible mushrooms can cause adverse effects in some individuals, while certain mushrooms known for their toxicity, such as Gyromitra esculenta, have been eaten safely after specific preparation techniques. The determination of a mushroom’s safety for consumption varies from mushroom…
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