I think I know but not to influence anyone.... Let you tell me
This is only half of it, this one bit is the size of a large beach ball.....
This is only half of it, this one bit is the size of a large beach ball.....
That tree will produce 'em for years - nice score!
Morels, oysters, puffballs, hen of the woods and chicken of the woods are some the safest to RESEARCH and collect. Always know toxic lookalikes as well. Gilled 'shrooms that aren't brackets on wood (like above) are best left to experts, be they scientists or woodsmen. Some of my students out by Red Oak collect a "leatherback milk-cap" I tried to research this year but could not find near me.
Just to clarify, some fungi growing on wood are poisonous, Galerina Autumnalis (deadly) and Jack o' lantern fungus (Omphalotus Olearius) come to mind. I made the Jack o' Lantern/Chanterelle mistake once. The host stump was ground down and sodded over in a nice green lawn.....Ah, what a nice batch of Chanterelles ( not!)!
Helvella Esculenta, or False Morel isnt eaten in the Great Lakes area, or upper great lakes AFAIK (im from the Great lakes, its where I live) They look very similar to the morel, but have a solid stem unlike the morel which has a hollow stem. They taste nothing like a morel either....Also, stick with a few, well recognized and easily ID'd types for a while. People in different locales may eat mushrooms that are considered poisonous elsewhere and that may have lower levels of toxins than found generally. I've heard of this happening with ethnic groups used to eating a varietal of a species, or a lookalike, at home which is more toxic here. Asians and Panther fungus in the PNW comes to mind. Helvella Esculenta is eaten in Europe and in the Upper Great Lakes region, but is potentially deadly (it resembles a Morel).
Unfortunately with some mushrooms they won't effect you until days later.Well, we will see how Im feeling in a couple of hrs... ate a small bit.
Unfortunately with some mushrooms they won't effect you until days later.
However, it should only be eaten if it's growing on an oak tree... specimens growing on hemlock or eucalyptus trees can cause stomach upset.
We use essential cookies to make this site work, and optional cookies to enhance your experience.