Mistaken Identity - Point Proven

Day 363: The Pholiotas are a good example of why one area mycological society holds a "Survivors' Banquet" every year. Some members of the genus are edible. Others are poisonous, and unless you have an exceptionally complete field guide and are very good at using the keys, or unless you have a close and trusted friend who is also a trained mycologist to help you with identifications, you are strongly advised to take no chances. Mushroom poisoning can be as simple as making you sick to your stomach, or it can be deadly in either the short or long term. Many toxins can linger in the body for years, particularly in the liver. "Better safe than sorry," as my mother always said.

NB: I stand corrected. Apparently this is a species of Armillaria, which just goes to show how easy it is to make a mistake when identifying mushrooms.

A Day's Mushrooming

Makeup Day 1: Two members of the interpretive staff and I went out during lunch break today to see how the Ramaria araoispora was coming along. In the process, we found dozens of other beautiful specimens to photograph whether or not we'll ever be able to positively identify more than just a few species. Also among our finds were enough chanterelles for a couple of servings of "Ranger Fries." I seethed mine in butter seasoned with garlic salt and just a touch of thyme. Top, Pholiota sp.; bottom left, Ramaria araiospora rubella; bottom right, Cantharellus sp.

Pholiota

Day 30: Without microscopic examination, Pholiota squarrosa and Pholiota squarrosoides cannot be differentiated reliably, and although both varieties were once believed to be edible and may be cited as such in older field guides, it is now known that these mushrooms can cause severe abdominal distress and vomiting, especially if consumed with alcohol. Also known as the Shaggy Pholiota, they are relatively uncommon outside deciduous forest. These specimens were located at the edge of Longmire Meadow in Mount Rainier National Park near a stand of young alders.