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Forest Fungi


© Howard Deutch

Mar 1, 2005


Forest Fungi

    How many gardeners spend significant time in the woods and fields enjoying the flowers planted by nature? I for one revel in the springtime display in the woods, long before other than spring flowering bulbs and some Snowdrops and Scilla siberica show themselves in my garden. Spring Beauties, Dog Tooth Violets (Adders Tongue, Trout Lily, .... ) and Trillium  abound in the area where I live. 

Then there are the neglected and shunned fungi, most of which are unwelcome intruders in the lawn and garden. Some are most welcome and delicious. Others most deadly. I was introduced to the wonderful Morel  by my daughter Ann and son-in-law Tom when they were naturalist rangers at Yellowstone. Once, when we were visiting them, they took us to the edge of a field where they knew there were some. It took some time to adjust my filter to recognize then among the jumble of of camouflaging objects. The quest was suddenly called off when a herd of Bison approached. We did not dispute their sovereignty over the land.

    A long time ago a terrarium I had included forest-collected mosses. To my surprise a crop of mushrooms sprang up. They were about 3/4 inches tall (2 cm.). The thin stems were surmounted by small, red caps. They added color and a bit of mystery to the display. One day for a lark my, at the time young daughter, lifted the cover and saturated the terrarium with puffball spore. She was disappointed when no new monster puffballs appeared. I was disappointed when the mushrooms were no more. She has recently redeemed herself (again). I received an e-mail that included two images. I had never seen Birds Nest fungus before. These were taken in early February. It is obvious that they live in a milder clime than I. No snow is in sight.

 

 

 

 

 

    Fungus like the Birds Nest  rivals many a flower. Most are shades of white, including some deadly ones. Even with a Field Guide in hand, I do not pick any for the dinner table. I do not trust my judgment when it comes to a chance between gustatory delight or death.

     

 

    I have a relatively comprehensive Field Guide for Mushrooms. Although I studiously examined all the illustrations, I could not identify this specimen captured in the Adirondack Park. There were some near

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages
6.   Mar 25, 2005 2:06 PM
In response to Your photos are posted by jerrib:

Wouldn't you expect this? In less than one month the link I had for Scilla s ...

-- posted by Howie
5.   Mar 25, 2005 12:19 PM
sure a boon to your article (however, the scilla one does not work). I live in WA State, so am a forest lover. I have always been intrigued by all things that grow in the woods.

I, like you, was ...

-- posted by jerrib
4.   Mar 23, 2005 2:30 PM
In response to Re: Re: Fungi and other stuff posted by MaggieM:

   I used to disinfect my seed starting trays, ...

-- posted by Howie
3.   Mar 22, 2005 2:50 PM
Howie - I'm now thinking spring outside, it has melted some and is above freezing at last part of the day. We had sunshine...it was lovely.
I never eat wild mushrooms, and buy my "tasties" at a sma ...

-- posted by MaggieM
2.   Mar 17, 2005 4:01 PM
In response to Fungi and other stuff posted by MaggieM:


& ...

-- posted by Howie



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