Russula brevipes
This large russula is easy to miss because of its squat size. It comes up under leaves and just leaves a mushhump to disclose its presence. It is white with a short squat stem. The flesh does not usually bruise. It is said to be edible but not worth the effort.
Links
Russula brevipes
Type: RussulaCollection date: 10/09/2008
Name: Russula brevipes
Common Name: Short-Stemmed Russula
Description: Large white cap and short stem. The cap is centrally depressed with age – the edges of the cap roll down when young. It is usually just seen as a mushhump in the leaves.
Edibility: Edible but not worthi it
Color: White to Cream
Size: 10 to 20cm
Cap type: Convex
Gills: Broadly Attached
Stem type: Equal – sturdy
Flesh: white non-discoloring
Texture: Flesh granular or brittle
Veil: none
Ring: none
Volva: none
Mycelium: white
Spore color: White,cream,yellowish
Habitat: Grows in woods
Habitat2: Grows on the ground
Habitat3: humus Oak Maple Beech Sasafras
Grifola frondosa 1
This large fall mushroom is a favorite of mine. Last year I found a 8 pound specimen. The one this year was only about 3 1/2 pounds. It is a good tasting mushroom both simply fried in butter (with a little garlic and salt) or in dishes. Last year my wife made a big pot of mushroom soup with it. Both times I have found it at the base of tree stumps, though it also grows at the base of live trees as a parasite. The Japanese call it the Dancing Mushroom (Maitake) because the mushroom hunter dances when he/she finds it I was going on my daily walk and almost cut it short when I found this mushroom. Here it is called the Hen of the Woods or the Sheep’s head because of the way it looks..
Links
Grifola frondosa
Type: PolyporeCollection date: 10/04/2008
Name: Grifola frondosa
Common Name: Hen of the woods, sheepshead, maitake
Description: This frilly mushroom consists of clusters of rosettes all coming from a common stem. The individual caps range from 3/4 of an inch to 4 or 5 inches. The whole cluster can get quit large. The specimen pictured weighed 3 1/2 lb. The caps are grey-brown and the bottom is white. The spore print is white.
Edibility: Choice
Color: Brown
Size: Over 15cm
Cap type: wavy
Gills: No Gills
Stem type: Lateral, rudimentary, absent
Flesh: white firm
Texture: firm
Veil: none
Ring: none
Volva: none
Mycelium: white
Spore color: White,cream,yellowish
Habitat: Grows in woods
Habitat2: Grows on the ground at base of tree
Habitat3: Dead stump oak?
Marasmius sullivantii
Little brown mushroom growing next to a decomposed log. Small brown cap with long brown stem. Appeared after a fall shower.
Links
Marasmius sullivantii
Type: GilledCollection date: 09/30/2008
Name: Marasmius sullivantii
Common Name:
Description: This is little brown gilled mushroom with a brown stem whitish towards the top darkening as it goes down. The stem is much longer than the cap is wide. It grows on hardwood leaf litter.
Edibility: Unknown
Color: Brown
Size: Less than 5cm
Cap type: Convex
Gills: Free
Stem type: Equal
Flesh: white
Texture: Flesh granular or brittle
Veil: none
Ring: none
Volva: none
Mycelium:
Spore color:
Habitat: Grows in woods
Habitat2: Grows on the ground
Habitat3: humus Oak Beech Hickory
Russula paludosa
I have been seeing this mushroom in partially eaten states for at least two maybe three weeks. This is the first whole specimen I have found. This is a small one, usually they are bigger and grown in leaf matter. Russula are characterized by the stems being about the same length as the diameter of the cap and the stem breaking like chalk. The flesh is sort of brittle and breaks easily. To find them intact around here you have to spot them before they get above the leaves.
Links
Russula paludosa
Type: RussulaCollection date: 09/30/2008
Name: Russula paludosa
Common Name:
Description: I have been seeing these mushrooms for at least two weeks, but they are always eaten on or destroyed. It is a red topped russula whith white gills and stem.
Edibility: Inedible
Color: Red, Redish, Pink
Size: 5 to 15cm
Cap type: Convex to Plane
Gills: Running Down Stalk
Stem type: Equal
Flesh: White dry non-staining
Texture: Flesh granular or brittle
Veil: none
Ring: none
Volva: none
Mycelium:
Spore color:
Habitat: Grows in woods
Habitat2: Grows on the ground
Habitat3: humus Well Rotted Beech Oak Maple Sasaf
Amanita bisporigera
I have been keeping my eye out for this mushroom for a long time and finally found it: the Destroying Angel. It is one of the most deadly mushrooms to be found. The little mushroom pictured could kill a normal adult. It is pure white with a smooth top, white gills, white bulbous stem with ring and volva. It also has as rather foul smell. If you collect mushrooms to eat you should be familiar with this one and its cousin the Death Cap.
Links
Amanita bisporigera
Type: MorelCollection date: 09/30/2008
Name: Amanita bisporigera
Common Name: The Destroying Angel
Description: This all white mushroom, identified also as Amanita virosa is one of the most deadly mushrooms. It has a smooth white cap, white gills, a bulbous stem with ring and volva. The spore print is white. It has a foul smell, reminded me of ants.
Edibility: Deadly
Color: White to Cream
Size: 5 to 15cm
Cap type: Convex
Gills: Free/Barely Attached
Stem type: Bulbous
Flesh: white non-discoloring
Texture:
Veil: partial-persistent
Ring: collarlike
Volva: saclike
Mycelium:
Spore color: White,cream,yellowish
Habitat: Grows in woods
Habitat2: Grows on the ground
Habitat3: humus