Archives September 10th until October 31st 2005

September 10th, 2005: Hugh, Columbus Ohio, Despite the dry weather, there are some nice giant puffballs [calvatia gigantea] coming up, as well as a few purple-spored puffballs [calvatia cyathiformis]. They are very early compared to previous years, however. The giants make a decent eggplant/ puffball parmesan when they're young and firm. ..Also chicken and oysters continue in large quantities

September 11th, 2005: Judy J, Hen of the Woods - general location: Stillwater MN, Growing Conditions: Under a red oak in my yard. Additional Comments: I'm lucky I found it today since the weather is hot and it won't be good for long.

September 11th, 2005: hugh, agaricus augustus, bay boletes, giant puffballs, chicken - general location: columbus, OH. Growing Conditions: parks, lawns. Additional Comments: We found one very large agaricus augustus, which is an excellent mushroom but not common around here. Also a huge mess of big beautiful bay boletes came up in my neighbor's yard -- 20lbs at least. Giant puffballs, chicken and oysters are also out in large quantities. Finally, I saw a couple of large rooting polypores [polyrporus radicatus] near the base of a big old oak.

Hello from Pittsburgh, Pa (Wexford to be more specific). I found these growing next to the children's tree fort in mulch which was placed 4 weeks ago. I thought the children half burried a loaf of homebaked bread, that's what it looked like. But when I pushed back some mulch it became clear they are some sort of mushroom. Do you know which type these are, and more importantly to my husband.....CAN HE EAT THEM??? They sure do smell good (one broke apart as I was lifting it out). It's great you have this set up for clueless people like us. And after looking at your morel archives, I think it would be great to run into that type! Hope you know the answers, Cheryl

Based on the photos, I am not able to make a positive ID, they could be a type of Agaricus, but just not sure.- Chris M

September 12th, 2005: We went to Alum Creek S.P. today, where it was very dry; but we did still find a surprising variety of fungi. Here's some beautiful scaber-stalks [leccinum insigne or aurantiacum, not certain which since they're very similar], a very cute little waxy cap [hygrophorus conicus] and a nice frost's bolete. some laccaria ochropurpurea,some huge jack o'lanterns, More to follow. Hugh

North Central Ohio's mixed forest woodlands produced countless species today. Some of the strangest and most beautiful mushrooms I've ever seen. Some great edibles and some extravagantly poisonous as well. I really got my work cut out for me on IDing some of the these. Here are some photos. From: Chris Ott

September 13th, 2005: Dave Wasilewski, Stalked Puffball - general location: Northeast PA. Growing Conditions: Found one Calvatia Elata (Stalked Puffball) growing in an open, grassy woodland area. It was the only mushroom that I have seen since a few Agaricus Campestris came up on our lawn about 12 days ago. This is the first time I have ever found one of these. It was about 5 inches high, with the top part more or less ellipsoid with lateral diameter about 1.75 inch. The bottom part (the so-called stalk) was about 4 inches long (high) and about 0.75 inch thick. The entire fruiting body was white with a wrinkled surface. The inside was one continuous pure white mass, indicating that this was a rather young specimen. In the high grass, it looked like a dollop of shaving cream. The picture of this species in Mushrooms of Northeastern North America (Bessette/Fischer) is a dead ringer.

September 14th, 2005: Pedro has found the first Shaggy Manes of the season in Michigan!

September 14th, 2005: Woodbutcher, found hens and chicken of the woods, Shelby Twp.Macomb,Mi.

September 15th, 2005: AHistory, Indigo milky finds in mid-missouri , Went for a short walk at lunch and found nine large indigo milky mushrooms (Lactarius indigo). Very pretty silvery blue ones. Caps were all 4-5 inches. I'm fairly new to non-morel mushroom hunting, and this is one of the few mushrooms that I trust myself to identify. First time I have ever seen them. I have never eaten these before.

September 16th, 2005: I found one decent-size hericium coralloides in the park today -- same spot where I found one three years ago at almost exactly this same time. I also found a huge batch of aborted entolomas, maybe 20 lbs or so. It's actually a pretty decent edible -- nice flavor and texture. Also some chicken that was a bit too old for eating. Hugh, Columbus Ohio

September 17th, 2005: stumpjumper, hens of the woods and young honey mushrroms in southern MI today.

September 18th, 2005: I went on a 15 mile hike with our Royal Ranger kids group yesterday in High Falls State Park, Georgia, and although it has not rained in 3 weeks, found one beautiful fruiting of Hericium coralloides. I do have blisters on my feet now, as way out of shape for 15 miles!- -Chris M

September 19th, 2005: Hi Chris, Once again Central Ohio has offered a plethora of species, many, great edibles. Voluminous latex-milkys, Honey mushroom (ringless),Chicken , Bi-colors, amongst other boletes, too many russulas, corts, all kinds of amanitas, a couple late season chanties, and one I need some help with. I'll attach pics. All were found near or on beech, oaks, and maples. Thanks, chris ott

September 19th, 2005: tom gehring, lactarius - general location: central Minn. Growing Conditions: oaks elms birch, Additional Comments: need pics and help on verifing species. http://morelmushroomhunting.com/species_list.htm

September 19th, 2005: Chris, Attached are pictures of Blewits, Clitocybe nuda, I found this weekend. I don't like how they taste and was not 100% sure they were Blewits so I only tasted a fried piece about 1/4 in. in size. Tell me if you agree. Thanks, Judy J, Minnesota

Judy, these are NOT Blewits. Notice the rust colored webbing on the stem, and a rust colored gills. This is typical of Cortinarius. Although my Audubon field guide says this is edible, I have not tried it, so do be careful. There are species of Corts that can cause severe problems!

September 21st, 2005: Found this while out squirrel hunting with the dog. It was still very fresh and not one bug. Got about 10 lb and left the rest for the bugs. Had a great weekend and got some squirrels to boot. dbowhntr, Canton Mich.

September 21st, 2005: Woodbutcher, I went to my friends woods to look for some hens and found 2 of them along with some Honey's. Shelby Twp.Macomb,Mi.

September 22nd, 2005: CC, - general location: outside of philadelphia, pa. Growing Conditions: they were under an oak tree on the edge of my friends pnd, Additional Comments: I am not really sure if they are good mushrooms or bad. they are short and stumpy and under the cap is a spongy yellow when you break them they bruise a blue color.

September 23rd, 2005: We found several beautiful lepiota proceras today, plus austroboletus/ tylopilus gracilis and a few things I have yet to identify. Also a few cantharellus tubaeformis, laccarias and russulas, Ohio, Hugh

September 25th, 2005: Hey Chris, alot of fungal activity has been the norm with the recent rains in Central Ohio(more on the way). On Friday Chris and Justin D. found a large quantity of ringed honeys at the bases of nearly every dead or dying oak around. I am quite fond of their flavor and will be going back soon. Today Jessica and Chris saw the most perfect and prolific flush of Chicken mushroom we've ever seen. Too much to carry out on our own. Oyster, russulas, honies, and some good horse and meadow mushroom were abound as well. No hens yet. Soon I'm sure. Here are pics of some dangerous amanitas and jack-o-lanterns and todays finds.

September 27th, 2005: Skrcrow416, Found this growing at the base of a large oak tree here in North Kingstown, R.I.

September 28th, 2005: hugh - general location: columbus, oh. Growing Conditions: lawns, parks. Additional Comments: Lots of things are up after the latest rain: purple-spored puffball, reddening lepiota, smooth lepiota, marasmius oreades, agaricus campestris, and still more chicken. No sign of hen of the woods yet, though

September 28th, 2005: Chris Ott found many agaricus campestris(meadow mushroom) and puffballs in fields and mixed woodlands in Central Ohio. Also found a small hen today, finally. With all the drought subsiding rainfall, shrooms will be going gangbusters for a while. Good luck to all. Here are pics.

September 28th, 2005: Marge, grey morel - general location: found a large one in So. Oxnard, CA on Sept. 19th '05. I was getting into my van in front of a UPS store. I was looking at some different grass when I saw this large mushroom. No tree to support it. Years ago I went mushroom hunt-
ing in NW Missouri. That is why I could recognize this one. In 1947 we received $13 a bushel or dried them to sell. Will more come up in same location? I was told that the soil was imported because this was a new row of buildings. Marge. Growing Conditions: Rather new construction at edge of town. A different kind of grass was in the little plant area in front of UPS. -I asked if she could get a photo of this, but no response, -Chris M

September 29th, 2005: Roger R, chanterelle - general location: Union Co. GA Sept.27 While trout fishing in the north Ga mountains I was able to spot a few russulas and boletes. Also found one cinnabarinus chanterelle. Has been very dry for about a month.

September 29th, 2005: Dear Chris: See attached photos of a huge bunch of what I believe are honey mushrooms I found on 9/24 at the base of a dead tree. I only took these but would love to go back for the rest if they are really edible. --Very truly yours, Francis J. Collins, Esq.

You have Honeys! A small percentage of people will have some minor stomach upset when consuming these, be careful! Enjoy! -Chris M

September 30th, 2005: Marcia Roberts, giant puffball - general location: Canton, Ohio, on side of road near gully following several days of rain.
Additional Comments: The puffball is 10-11 inches in diameter and weighs 5 lbs. I am not sure if it is edible as color was white when I first saw it but now having had it for about 5 hours, it appears slightly beige or greenish in places.

October 3rd, 2005: Dan Kastner, chanterelle - general location: Vienna, Missouri in Maries County. Growing Conditions: They were scattered in loose groups in mature oak timber. Additional Comments: We found about 1400 chanterelles and just quit picking them because we ran out of bags. We might make another run this weekend but I already have enough dehydrated to last forever.

October 5th, 2005: Hugh, Ohio, We finally found some hen of the woods today -- 3 small ones all at the base of a big old oak tree in the park, exact same spot as last year. One was still tiny so we left it to grow. We also saw about 100 beautiful button agaricus arvensis growing in a perfect ring around a pine tree.

October 5th, 2005: I'm not sure what these mushrooms are? I thought they were chickens, but after reading more, I'm thinking they might be jack-o-lanterns. They were growing at the base of a tree that was tipped over, but I'm not sure what kind of tree it was. I live in Pennsylvania, the Scranton Wilkes Barre area. Can you help identify these mushrooms by these pics? DaDDyDiNnGg

It is hard to tell with your photos, but a couple of individuals that I can spot appear to have a stem and gills running down the stem, also the darker patches of orange is a dead give away for Jack O Lanterns. Yes, these are poisonous! Discard! http://morelmushroomhunting.com/omphalotus_olearius.htm

October 5th, 2005: Caron DeVita, I think it's a puffball??? It has 4 quadrants...Only one. Where did you find them- general location: Keswick, Ontario Canada, Growing Conditions: On my field. Additional Comments: I wish to send a photo but can't on this site. Please email me for a pic.
thanks. Email me a photo to: chrismathe@aol.com - Chris M

It appears that 4 separate mushrooms fused together to form this mass! Cool! - Chris M

October 6th, 2005: Hugh Found in central Ohio . Check out these massive [and delicious] boletes that continue to pop up in our neighbor's front yard.

October 7th, 2005: Chris Ott, Central Ohio. Mixed woods, parks. Here are some photo's. Puffballs, mycena, and coral.

October 7th, 2005: Jason Brady, Chicken - general location: Vienna, VA Fairfax County. Growing Conditions: Found my first ever chicken. As luck would have it, it was growing out of a huge dead Poison Ivy Vine running up a Locust. Second mushroom found this year on dead Poison Ivy Vines. Does the host species affect edibility? I won't be the ginny pig!

October 7th, 2005: Chris, I finally got out for a good hunt with my wife. Found many chanterelles, some hedgehogs and coral in the shadow of Mount Rainier in Washington State. Still a late start in the Pacific Northwest, but tasty just the same. This is about half of what we found after sharing with neighbors. Daddy

October 7th, 2005: Woofer found matsutakes, and white chanterelles in SW Oregon.

October 7th, 2005: Denise McGrath, toadstool or puffball/white/12" in diameter - general location: on the side of the road. Growing Conditions: by a tree. Additional Comments: Not sure what the name is or what type of mushroom. Thank you, Denise

October 7th, 2005: FSU04gal, found I think I have found in my yard what looks to be the ringless honey mushroom. I was hoping to find that these mushroom are edible. I found them in my yard this week at the base of a sweet gum stump and in the lawn. Tallahassee, FL

October 8th, 2005: Travis Kotke, bolete - general location: Bath, Michigan. Growing Conditions: Under conifers. Additional Comments: Having trouble narrowing down what kind of bolete they are...

October 9th, 2005: Giant puffball, chicken, and honey continue in large quantity in Central Ohio . Lots of free-tasties in the woods, just make sure you have the ID, and enjoy. Chris Ott.

October 9th, 2005: Ahistory, Columbia, Missouri, found Hydnum repandum (sweet tooth, hedgehog).

October 9th, 2005: North Central Indiana, chikinnekker and greysRDbest found a 5 gallon bucket of ringed honeys, a few blewits, and about 50 nice lepiota americana. gemmed puffballs and AEs were out too. Any members eat AEs ????? are they good....ive personally never got up the nerve to try one.

October 9th, 2005: Koby, Leonard, Michigan, not expecting to find anything, but to my amazement, i found about 20 Horse Agaricus growing right next to the house under some Spruce, all were about 4" diameter caps, and half were toasted, also found some Blewits growing in the manure we spread out this spring, and i came across a stand of Horse at the back of my property right where the meadow changes to pines that were the biggest ive ever seen...there was a line of about 20 of them that were bigger than salad plates...unfortunately they were long gone. others that i found but didnt harvest were: Chicken Fat Sulius (i think), Giant Puffballs, Meadows and surprisingly, Common Scaberstalk. looks to me like the fall shroom bloom will make up for a poor summer, still waiting and hoping for the Brick Tops...anyone find any yet??? good hunting! Koby

October 9th, 2005: Hugh, hedgehog, hericium, boletes, agaricus - general location: Columbus, OH. Growing Conditions: along a ravine in rich woods.
Additional Comments: We found about 12 large hedgehogs, all in very good shape, and one small hericium coralloides that was very pink [rather than the usual white]. We've also been finding lots of beautiful agaricus campestris and arvensis buttons -- and even one Prince [a.augustus] Additional Comments: we also saw a good-size patch of shaggy manes, most in good shape, and lots of fairy rings. Also one hypsizygus tessulatus on an elm.

October 10th, 2005: hugh - general location: Alum Creek S.P., Ohio. Growing Conditions: rich hardwoods -- oak, maple, beech, Additional Comments: The mushrooms are going nuts up here this fall. We finally got a lot of rain after a very dry summer, and there are fungi everywhere. We found about 20 big scaber stalks, 4 lobsters, lots of oysters, rusullas, puffballs, and, to my surprise, even a few late season chanterelles today. We also saw a hen at the base of a honey locust, which is unusual. It was big, but a bit too far gone to eat.

October 10th, 2005: A short hike in the North Central Ohio forest provided some cool finds. Indigo lactarius, blewits, numerous varieties of russulas, sweet-tooth, 4 different chantrelles, and a white hen that grew in a 'dark area' of the forest at the base of a dead oak. It was still firm and fresh despite the whitish appearance. Any ideas on the cause of this, or is it something different? Thanks in advance. Chris Ott

October 11th, 2005: Dave Wasilewski, Blewit, Hericium - general location: Northeast PA. Growing Conditions: Our 4 month drought has finally ended. This past Friday/Saturday NEPA received 3"-8" rainfall, with more forcast for this week. We went out into the woods yesterday (Sunday) to see if anything was getting started. Found two brand-new Blewits, very purple -the first of the season around here. Also found a nice fresh Hericium. Then, back at home, I went out into my yard to collect some hickory nuts. i just happened to notice 4 nice big parasol mushrooms (Lepiota Procera/ 4" caps) that apparently had come up while the ground was still bone-dry. They had fallen over and were fairly rotten.

October 11th, 2005: gary st cyr, giant puffballs - general location: Easton Connecticut. Growing Conditions: roadside,under oak,one was strangled into an inverted snowman shape by a young poison ivy vine. Additional Comments: Thickly sliced puffballs are great when cooked like french toast or as eggplant parmesian. Any other suggestions? This is how I usually fix them also! -Chris M

October 12th, 2005: Malcolm_in_Mass, , honey ? - general location: Sharon Massachusetts, Growing Conditions: Under ash oak and birch.
Additional Comments: are these honeys ???? -waiting on a photo...

October 12th, 2005, Steo, Southern Ohio, Hericium , Just about to leave the woods empty handed on my lunch time walk when I spotted this.

October 13th, 2005: Ohio Transplant, Aylmer, Ontario, Canada.Macrolepiota rachodes/Shaggy Parasol.

October 13th, 2005: Hi Chris,

What a GREAT site you have!!! I have been reading it for days.. can't tear myself away..Can you help identify these mushrooms? I used to pick only 2 kinds that I knew were edible.. because I gathered them for years with my grandfather. But these were irresistible to pick and I can't find any good identification online.

large, dk brown gills, cream cap, smooth & dry, with faun to light brown edge. dark brown spore print. smells heavenly! found in open space in grass.

light brown dry cap, beige gills, light, pinkish cream flesh. growing in cluster beneath mulched tree. fibrous stems. pleasant. subtle smell.

This is http://morelmushroomhunting.com/armillariella_mellea.htm - Chris M
similar to the light brown above, but smaller, with yellow cap & cream gills. cluster growing on old stump. If you can help me identify these as edible or lethal, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks for a great website. Lucille Iacovelli, Cape Cod, MA

October 14th, 2005: i live in cleveland ohio, this has been growing in my yard for 2 weeks. i'm wondering how much larger this will get. enclosed are a few photos.one in particular is a shot of the mushroom acclimated to societies temptations. sdailey

October 14th, 2005: Ohio Transplant, Aylmer, Ontario, Canada. the haul, yesterdays take: hens, parasols, horse and blewit

October 14th, 2005: Hugh, - general location: columbus, oh. Growing Conditions: yards, mulch. Additional Comments: Lots of agaricus varieties up now -- we saw several more princes [a. augustus], very nice big horse and meadow mushrooms, plus one I had not seen before: agaricus diminutivus. Pics to follow

October 14th, 2005: Hi Chris, Found these in reproduced timber with regular chanterelles outside of Wilkeson, Washington. It might be hard to tell from the pictures but I am 99% sure they are white chanterelles. They are much meatier and bigger. White chants are on the left and regular on the right. What do you think? Daddy

October 15th, 2005: mesnic7, found these in the open grass in my yard, near to the horse paddock. I live in west central OHIO, any idea what they are?

October 15th, 2005: have found this mushroom today in the woods please could you identify it for me and advise if it is eatable.. Regards. Kevin

October 15th, 2005: Tzvi Grossman, Hen-of-the-woods - general location: Sharon, MA. Growing Conditions: Around the base of an oak tree.
Additional Comments: These were three hen-of-the-woods totalling about 11 pounds.

October 15th, 2005: Hugh, lepiota rachodes, hedgehog - general location: columbus, oh. Growing Conditions: in ivy under conifer. Additional Comments: I found a beautiful patch of shaggy parasols, lepiota rachodes, today -- one of my favorites. Also one hedgehog and some creepy-cool slimy gomphidius. pics to follow.

October 15th, 2005: ahistory , Columbia, Missouri, Additional Comments: Fall mushroom boom - lots of edible mushrooms out out in my neck the woods. (mid-mo). In the first two weeks of October, I have found the following in mixed hardwoods: 2lbs hen of the woods [Grifola frondosa], 2 lbs yellow chanterelles [Cantharellus cibarius], 1/2 lb of Indigo Milky [Lactarius indigo], 1 1/2 lbs smooth chanterelles (orange)[Cantharellus lateritius}, 5 lbs of honey mushroom [Armillaria mellea], 1/2 lb Angel Wings [Pleurocybella porrigens], and 2 lbs of [Hydnum umbilicatum], I also saw a few chickens that were past their prime and a bunch of oysters growing 40 foot up an old tree I couldn't reach.

October 16th, 2005: I found a large patch of huge lepiota rachodes growing in ivy under a pine tree today. They are awesome in goulash or any creamy sauce over noodles.Hugh, Columbus, Ohio

October 16th, 2005: Jim, honey I think - general location: Pennsylvania, Chase Luzerne county. Growing Conditions: on old oak stump. Additional Comments: I'm trying to find my mothers old sheeps head and chicken spots. Why cant I find any? Is it the weather or where I'm looking, or did I miss the window when you can find them? ? Any help? I look for big oak trees. Are the pictures i sent honeys.

Without seeing the underneath side, I cannot tell 100% for sure, but the do appear to be Honeys.- Chris M

October 16th, 2005: Chris, Although not a “mushroom hunter”, I have always harbored an interest. My children “found” this mushroom growing in our backyard after the week of rain and would love to know what kind it is. We live in Boxford, Massachusetts, The mushroom cluster was over 12” across and growing in our lawn just outside the shade of an oak tree. If additional information is needed, please let me know. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, Steven Warshafsky (for Brooke and Harrison ages 7 and 4)

October 17th, 2005: Hi Chris, we've been finding many interesting and delicious fall fungi as of late in Central Ohio. Here are pics of shaggy manes, 1 of 5 hens(left the rest to grow), and an interesting gelatinous russula-looking shroom. It was very firm and the gills required alot of force to break, but did not exude any liquids. Any ideas? Thanks, Chris Ott

October 17th, 2005: Dave Wasilewski, honey mushrooms - general location: Norhteast PA. Growing Conditions: On and nearby dead oak trees and oak stumps. I got about 3 or 4 pounds. Additional Comments: They are the brown/dark variety that are late-occurring. Made about half-pound & had with steak. Parboiled and froze the rest. Inside my chest freezer -non frostfree- they will keep for up to 2 years. Around here, these mushrooms are very popular. locals call them p'pinkies, which is a variation on a Polish word. Also found a Sulphur-Shelf (chicken mushroom). No Hen-of-the-Woods yet.

October 17th, 2005: Good day to be in the Franklin County Ohio woods. Found hens under big oaks and maples. The 3rd photo is after I hooked my neighbor up. Chris Ott

October 18th, 2005: Hugh, hen of the woods, herecium - general location: columbus, oh. Growing Conditions: under oak and on maple tree. Additional Comments: We found one large hen/ maitake at the base of a big oak tree in the park up the street, and also one very young hericium on a silver maple tree -- hericium erinaceus, I believe -- in an early stage. You could just see the teeth beginning to form. It was still delicious, though.

October 19th, 2005: Hi Chris, Check out these hen-of-the-woods found in Central Ohio. Saw nearly 24 hens total. I left 3 times as many as I kept. Had to see 200 lbs today in no more than 10 acres. Every other huge Oak & Maple in the forest were sporting massive fruitings of this gorgeous mushroom. With a tape measure, THE MONSTER was 41 inches in diameter(left 2 others almost that round) and 17 inches high, yet still quite fresh. I can see why Maitake translates to "dancing mushroom", I was dancing my ass off. Chris Ott

October 20th, 2005: I found these the other day growing in the woods behind my house. I couldn't find the id for either one? Good,bad ,edible? hope work is treating you good. Thanks Roger. I'll send another picture along with the next email. Jasper County Ga.

October 20th, 2005: Can you help Identify this mushroom? And is it edible? gsoup@prodigy.net

October 21st, 2005: debbie, honeys - general location: Michigan, Somerset Township. Growing Conditions: We bought property behind where a wood cutter used to live. He dumped many huge stumps all throughout the property. It used to anger us, until we started finding many species of mushrooms. As it is decaying, we are finding different varieties than before. Mostly oak stumps, but we also have pines where I located many slippery jacks a couple of weeks ago. Additional Comments: Your webiste is awesome! I had been introduced to the tradition of mushroom picking, from my inlaws about 15 years ago. I have been able to hand it down to my kids. Even the teenage boys, love to pick with their mom. A truely great tradition that allows families to spend time together, gathering the freshest and tastiest mushrooms, Money Can't Buy! Keep up the most excellent website, and thanks! Debbie MIchigan

October 22nd, 2005: Hi Chris! Your wonderful site has inspired me! Blewits.. Found several of these in a small area across the road from the Town Library, Mashpee, MA

October 22nd, 2005: James Searing, Hens Of The Woods - general location: Indiana. Growing Conditions: Oak Trees

October 23rd, 2005: On the way home from trout fishing I spotted some shaggy manes, big horse mushrooms, and a fresh hen. All were in a park enviroment with some big oaks and pines. Chris Ott, Columbus, Ohio

October 23rd, 2005: Hi Chris, Central Ohio is exploding with hen of the woods right now. We found 5 big ones today, the biggest about 30 lbs, and my friend Chris Ott has been finding literally hundreds of pounds almost daily. In fact, all of the tree-based mushrooms have been exploding this year -- chicken, hen, honey, oyster. I think it may be because so many trees here were really stressed by the serious dry spell we had, which then lowered their guard and lets the fungi take hold. The nasty winter that brought down a lot of limbs may also have something to do with it. we also found one nice lion's mane, and still more chicken. hugh

October 23rd, 2005: Daddydinngn, CAN U PLEASE IDENTIFY THIS MUSHROOM ? I THINK IT'S A "PRINCE"....AKA AGARICUS AUGUSTUS

October 24th, 2005: Dave Wasilewski, Honey Mushroom - general location: Luzerne County, PA. Growing Conditions: Lots of excellent Armillariella Mella growing on oak and other hardwood stumps. Around here, these are called p'pinkies -a variation of a Polish word. Additional Comments: Jim in Luzerne County: The "Sheep's Head" ie. "Hen of the Woods", Grifola Frondosis, was very hard to find this year. The best fruitings usually occur on oak during September and into October. This year, the prolonged drought really kept these mushrooms to a minimum. After checking several good spots I have come up with only one dried out unusable one that must have fruited during the dry spell, and one "stump" of a fresh one that somebody else had found first. A friend of mine found one during the dry spell. Although it was quite fresh, he said that it was inedible due to a strong disagreeable taste. He figures that because the ground was so dry, the mushroom got all of its moisture from the wood in the stump on which it grew, and that this was the reson for it tasting bad. By "Chicken Mushroom" do you mean "Sulphur Shelf"... yellow/orange shelf polypore on dead tree? I have found several of these this Fall; one very large one.

October 24th, 2005: Sir, Maybe you can help me identify this mushroom, which I have growing in my back yard in western Germany? One pic shows a new mushroom. The other shows a few after they have been out for several days. Dave Jesmain

October 25th, 2005: HI,THESE ARE ON A ROCK MAPLE TREE IN MY YARD. ARE THEY OSYTER MUSHROOMS? THANKS,OSSIE

Yes, Oysters, especially fall and winter may grow much darker. I think they may be a slightly different species, but have not yet be classified any different. http://morelmushroomhunting.com/pleurotus_castreatus.htm - Chris M

October 26th, 2005: We would appreciate your letting us know what these are thank you. Trevor

October 27th, 2005: Here are, believe it or not, even more huge fresh hen-of-the-woods. The car pic is from Hugh and myself's haul the other day. I think we saw 30+. I found 20 more today. These are the ones I could carry out. Central Ohio is maitake heaven. Chris O.

October 28th, 2005: Hello, Can you tell me what kind of mushrooms or toadstools these are? They are growing in our yard under or near a pine tree on green grass. I live near Parkdale in North Central, Oregon, I took the pictures today, October 28, 2005. Thank you, Barbara Lane

October 29th, 2005: James Searing, Hens Of The Woods, - general location: Indiana Vermillion County. Growing Conditions: Oak Trees

October 29th, 2005: hugh, hen, oysters - general location: central Ohio. Growing Conditions: base of oak tree; on dead stump. Additional Comments: I found one nice big and very fresh hen of the woods today at the base of an oak -- same tree as last year, though about a week later. We also found a nice batch of thick late fall oysters, which I much prefer to the thinner summer variety. Both are excellent in stir-fry and tempora

October 29th, 2005: Pest, Chanterelles - general location: Shelton Washington. Growing Conditions: Under Douglas Firs and on a west facing slope. We found a couple of pounds. Including one really funny looking one.

October 31st, 2005: susan mcintosh - general location: weat caldwell nj. Growing Conditions: under oak trees. Additional Comments: they wre as large as pumpkin, white and round