Mushrooms Abound

Mushrooms have inundated yards from the boot heel to St. Louis and beyond. With that has been a huge increase in the number of questions being asked about mushrooms such as how they grow, what they do and what can be done about them.

First and most important, do not eat a mushroom if you are not 100% certain that it is edible. Even the most experience mushroom enthusiasts will tell you mistakes can be made. The Department of Conservation has a list of edible (http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/outdoor-recreation/mushrooming/edible-mushrooms) and a list of poisonous (http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/outdoor-recreation/mushrooming/poisonous-mushrooms) mushrooms with pictures that may help with identification.

A quick search of the Advanced Field Guide from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) at www.mdc.mo.gov can narrow down the list of possibilities to those that meet the criteria of your area. I did a search to find possibilities of those that I am seeing by searching for fall mushrooms, growing in clusters, in grass or on buried wood that are orange or yellow. These three are potential candidates from that list.

Cantharellaceae (various members of family) - Chanterelles are funnel- or trumpet-shaped and have wavy cap edges. Most are bright orange or yellow, although one, the black trumpet, is brownish black. Smooth chanterelle is shown here. Found May -- October.

Armillaria mellea - The Honey Mushroom has a honey-colored, sticky cap with black hairs over the center, and a stalk with a whitish ring. It grows in clusters at the bases of trees or stumps, especially oaks, and over buried wood. Pictured is the young yellow phase which changes with age. Found August -- November.

Coprinellus micaceus - The Mica Cap has a bell-shaped, tawny brown, radially lined cap and inky gills. It grows in clusters around stumps or on wood debris. Found April -- October.

Nothing can replace experience for accurate identification and the Missouri Mycological Society is a great place to begin or continue your education on mushrooms. Visit their website at www.momyco.org and make contact with a local chapter or one of their experts. There is a local chapter or you can connect with the Missouri Mycological Society during their upcoming weekend campout and foray October 30 to November 1, 2015. The Hawnting will be at Hawn State Park and include a fun filled ghoulish time at their annual Spooktacular fall foray. Make reservations and find out where and when to meet by contacting Shannon Stevens by email at sporeprince@sbcglobal.net or Michael Perks at michaelperks@sbcglobal.net or (314) 481-4131.

Another source of information on mushrooms can be found in the book, Missouri's Wild Mushrooms, a reference guide written by Maxine Stone who is a past president of the Missouri Mycological Society.