Lobster Mushrooms – Hypomyces Lactifluorum

The lobster mushroom, Latin name Hypomyces lactifluorum, is a delicious edible wild mushroom that fruits in the summer and fall in a wide array of habitats around North America. It has a signature fragrance and flavor that is very akin to seafood, and Read More

Elfin Saddle Mushrooms – Genus Helvella

NOTE: It has been brought to my attention that Helvella lacunosa probably does not occur in North America, and instead we have a number of black Elfin Saddle mushrooms that are genetically distinct from Helvella lacunosa. For further information about the genetic Read More

Fly Agaric (Amanita Muscaria) Mushrooms – A Cautionary Tale

Let me tell you a little story about a woman who accidentally went on an Amanita muscaria trip; I interviewed her in 2011 at the Sonoma County Mycological Association’s annual retreat near Occidental, California, and she told me straight off that “I’m Read More

The Dictyophora Indusiata Mushroom Debate – A Natural Aphrodisiac?

There will be some mycophiles who might read this blog and rightfully shake their heads in disgust. The controversy that surrounds the species Dictyophora indusiata (which is a sort of stink horn mushroom) is a little ludicrous, to be sure, Read More

Hedgehog Mushrooms: A Novice Mushroom Hunter's BFF

Hedgehog mushrooms come in several varieties, but from my point of view they’re all lovely. Without question, Hedgehogs are amongst my favorite edible mushrooms. What they lack in distinct flavor they more than make up for in texture; robust and Read More

Getting Lost While Mushroom Hunting

It’s very embarrassing to get lost in the woods while you are mushroom hunting with friends, especially if you are all reasonably invested in wildcraft. Of course, it can also be a catastrophe — a friend of mine once spent Read More

4Bags (As In: 4 Bags of F&%KING Morel Mushrooms)

I once addressed the issue of GPS waypoint nomenclature in this blog. Naming landmark mushroom patches is critical. If you own a GPS unit and have the presence of mind to name your waypoints, you will find the tool handy Read More

Paul Stamets: Never Trust a Mycologist!

  One of the people who taught me about mushrooms was Paul Stamets. Although he is now one of the most well-known and highly regarded experts in mycology, when he started out in the 1970s he struggled to find acceptance Read More