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Home , Chroogomphus, Chroogomphus vinicolor, Clitocybe nuda, Clitocybe odora, Clitocybe tarda, Cortinarius cinnamomeus

2007 No.3

Clitocybe nuda - or in common tongue The Blewitt

Tricholomataceae,

This , widely distributed throughout , is popular wherever it grows. On the prairies, the season is July-September, sometimes with multiple fruitings from the same nuda. Painting courtesy: Helen Engel site. What keeps it from being harvested more often is the confusion of correctly identifying One thing that adds to the Clitocybe graveolens - lacks the the mushroom. Although this confusion is that the Blewitt has had purplish colour and has a mushroom has a definite purplish many different scientific names. It strongly unpleasant odour tinge, that tinge can be anything has been known as Lepista nuda and and taste from a definite purple to a purple- nudum. So if you are Lepista saeva - has a buff cap rather tan, depending on the age and familiar with either of these two than purplish cap although it condition of the mushroom. The names, we are talking about the does have a purplish stalk, amount of purple is also affected by same mushroom . edible the amount of moisture and the - is purplish but has growing location - some varieties Let’s take a look at the a much thinner, fibrous stalk have barely a tinge while others are which may be confused albovinlaceaus - definitely purple. The purple can with the Blewitt. cobwebby veil when young, fade from the time of picking to the gills turn rust-brown from review at your vehicle, making you Lepista irina - similar shape but , edible wonder whether you really did see lacks the purplish colouration the purple and whether this is really the Blewitt you wanted to get. (Blewitt...continued on page 3) www.wildmushrooms.ws Fall 2007 No. 3 1 identified as honey mushrooms. President’s Message These two cases just highlight the 2007 Executive importance of knowing exactly what Edmonton Mycological Society you are collecting for consumption. To their credit, the two individuals President & Webmaster: had saved some of their mushrooms, Markus Thormann which is something you should do as (780) 432-1392 well when you eat a new for [email protected] the first time. As the saying goes…If Past President: Mike Schulz in doubt, throw it out. By the way, (780) 939-2106 neither individual died from their [email protected] misadventure. As you all know, the President’s Vice President: Martin Osis Dinner is the last event of the year. I (780) 987-4412 have been in contact with [email protected] Sorrentino’s South (on Calgary Trail), and you can expect to enjoy a Treasurer: Loretta Puckrin culinary masterpiece once again. I (780) 458-9889 will send out the menu and [email protected] registration form in early October. Secretary: Vacant As always, it will be limited to 40 registrants. I will prepare a fun Membership & Webmaster: presentation about magic Alan Fleming mushrooms, since that is always the (780) 463-8540 topic of the first question I have to [email protected] Markus Thormann, president of the answer when I reveal my Edmonton Mycological Society educational background. And no, Foray Coordinator: Bill Richards The past two months have been there won’t be any magic (780) 998-3507 very exciting ones. The Alberta mushrooms for consumption at the [email protected] Foray in Lac la Biche has been a dinner…I swear huge success despite dry conditions, Fall is upon us, bringing with it Program Director: Robert Rogers and our annual mushroom a change in the species of fungi we (780) 433-7882 [email protected] exposition “City of Champignons” at will find in our favourite hunting the Devonian Botanic Garden spots. To me, this is the most Media Relations Director: attracted about 250-300 visitors to interesting time from a mycological Melanie Fjoser our displays. I thank all of our perspective, since we can expect (780) 987-4412 volunteers for their countless hours many more fungi involved in the [email protected] of time working towards the decomposition of organic matter that successful execution of both events. ends up on the forest floor to make Newsletter Editor: Geri Kolacz Have a look at the more detailed an appearance. Sadly, this season is (780) 475-7927 accounts on both events in this also the beginning of the end of yet [email protected] newsletter. another fruitful and exciting Directors-at-large: Recently, I was contacted by mushrooming year. We have only a Pieter van der Schoot the Edmonton Poison Control Centre couple of forays remaining before (780) 696-2436 re: two cases of mushroom the President’s Dinner and our winter Ethel Luhtanen poisoning in the Lesser Slave Lake break. I hope you have been able to (430)220-9610 [email protected] region. Apparently, two individuals stash away a few fungi in dried or John Thompson had eaten some mushrooms they frozen state, so you can enjoy them (780) 456-9424 had picked earlier in the day and as part of your favourite dishes over [email protected] fell ill shortly thereafter. the winter months. Robert Simpson (780) 481-7905 Thankfully, they had saved a few Our next newsletter will be [email protected]

specimens in their fridge and called the Stinkhorn in recognition ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ brought them along to the hospital. of our 20th anniversary and the MAILING A DDRESS: These specimens were eventually newsletter we published in the late Edmonton Mycological Society couriered to me, and I identified 1980s. You can expect it in your 1921, 10405 Jasper Avenue them as a species of Cortinarius and inbox or mailbox in November. Standard Life Building Pholiota squarrosa (neither of which Until then, happy ‘shrooming to Edmonton, AB T5J 3S2 we recommend for consumption). you all, WEBSITE ADDRESS: The latter were likely erroneously Markus www.wildmushrooms.ws

2 Fall 2007 No. 3 www.wildmushrooms.ws Blewitt (continued from page 1) Inocybe geophylia var. lilacina - brown spores, small cap - Poisonous pura - purple but small and slender with white spores - Poisonous

The Blewitt is found in open areas, either in the woods or along paths. If you find one, check in an arc pattern as they often grow in rings or partial rings. When picking in blackberry country, checking close to the vines is a great place to start. In our area of the country open areas in the woods are the best bet. The basic growing matter is compost, so look for a spot where 2. Do the older specimens have the leaves have been blown and a pinkish/buff print Medicinal Properties collected. In some areas this 3. Is the stalk thick with a (from Robert Rogers - mushroom will sprout in compost bulbous base Fungal Pharmacy) 4. Absence of a veil (especially a heaps! The Blewitt has the action cobwebby one which is common for of regulating blood sugar Cortinarius) metabolism and supporting the Characteristics: 5. Slightly fruity but pleasant nervous system, possible due CAP odour - 2-6” wide to the high thiamine or Vitamine B1. They could be - convex to flat or broadly sunken Although some references used as part of a hypoglycemic in the centre suggest that you taste the mushroom control diet. - margin incurved, then wavy and in its raw state, you should be able to upturned determine the variety without - moist to dry, smooth resorting to that - Silvery-violet grey when dry or dangerous technique. tinged brownish Make sure you cook - Fragrant odour these mushrooms, as GILLS you should with all wild Notched, (can be adnate to mushrooms. No special adnexed) crowded violet to buff, processing (eg. drying, discolouring throw away boiled STALK water, etc.) is required. - 1-3” long; .5-1” thick, usually Just cook and eat! This with a large bulbous base species is great in - Solid, dry, scaly omelets and soups or - Violet to gray or brown-tinged grilled with a touch of - No veil olive oil and spices. - Spores: pinkish-buff, peach With the rich - Flesh - light lilac odour, this mushroom combines well with the The younger specimens tend flavour of wild meat or to have more of the purple colour. A nuts and cheese. quick check would be: 1. Are the young specimens purple toned (Blewitt...continued on page 11) www.wildmushrooms.ws Fall 2007 No. 3 3 Species List Alberta Foray Alberta Foray 2007 Lac La Biche – Lac La Biche Aug 3-6, 2007 silvaticus August, 2007 Agaricus silvicola Albatrellus syringae vaginata var. vaginata The Alberta Foray on the registration, followed by a small foray Antrodia sp. August long weekend will, in my around the Portage College campus, mind, always be remembered as the and then an orientation to start the Antrodia serialis “Wasp Foray”. Despite this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, Antrodia xantha intimidating title, the foray was an we were able to choose two forays per Apiosporina morbosa overwhelming success. day from a total of 12 locations around For those members who did not the Lac La Biche area. In the Artomyces pyxidatus attend, many of us were stung by an evenings, we were treated to talks Auricularia auricula-judae unusual surplus of wasps. Although I from Paul Kroeger, Jim Ginns and Bjerkandera adusta got stung myself, I think Bill and Martin Osis. There were even Bovista plumbea Alan were hit the enough edibles for worst, both of them Judy to cook up Cantharellula umbonata incurring stings to some samples for Ceriporiopsis subvermispora their faces. This everyone on Sunday Cerrena unicolor drama should not night. Each filled Chalciporus piperatus overshadow the high day ended with some points of this weekend much anticipated Chlorociboria aeruginascens adventure. Everyone socializing time and Chondrostereum purpureum did an amazing job of snacks before Clavariadelphus ligula collecting enough heading for bed. Clavariadelphus sachalinensis fungi to completely Most of us cover every table in stayed in the dorms Clavariadelphus truncatus the gymnasium. This at Portage College, Clitocybe odora was in spite of very and our group had Clitocybe sinopica dry weather and full access to the Clitocybe sp. wasps! cafeteria and Mycologists Paul gymnasium. All of Collybia sp. Kroeger and Jim the people working Ginns made the trip at Portage College, Coltricia perennis and worked very hard especially the chef Coprinopsis atramentaria to identify all of the and the security specimens which were guards, deserve our Coriolopsis gallica collected. Thank you!! heartfelt thanks for Cortinarius cinnamomeus Having them attend was a great all of their help. The visiting Cortinarius rubellus learning experience and they were mycologists, all of the attending both very helpful with any questions members, and especially those who Cortinarius sp. we had. In total, 372 specimens were organized this foray, worked together Cortinarius stillatitius identified and entered into the to make this weekend a success. Crepidotus applanatus var. database. The best news is, out of I was grateful for the chance to applanatus that total, there were 176 unique experience the vast forests of the Lac species. La Biche area with friendly faces, Crepidotus ellipsoideus The weekend was very well most of whom I only see once or twice Crepidotus mollis organized, which allowed most of us a year. As the summer is ending, I Crepidotus sp. to relax and focus on mushrooming. am already looking forward to next Cryptoporus volvatus Each day had all the activities, meals year…wasps and all! and forays planned out in advance. Cudonia circinans Friday was set up for signing in and Breanne Gordulic Dacrymyces cf. palmatus

4 Fall 2007 No. 3 www.wildmushrooms.ws Lentinus suavissimus Punctularia strigosozonata Dacrymyces sp. Lenzites betulina sp. DaedaleopsisMedicinal confragosa MushroomsLepista glaucocana Rhodocollybia maculata Datronia stereoides albissimus var. maculata Eichleriellaof Alberta deglubens Rozites caperatus FomesList fomentarius for Photo ContestLeucopaxillus piceinus aeruginea Fomitopsis cajanderi Limacella delicata var. glioderma Russula borealis Fomitopsisand pinicolaPoster Lycogala epidendrum Russula brevipes Fuligo septica var. septica (Myxomycete) Russula cf. albonigra Funalia trogii Lycoperdon perlatum Russula cf. parazurea Ganoderma applanatum Lyophyllum decastes Russula decolorans Geastrum campestre Marasmius cf. epiphyllus Russula foetens Geastrum sp. Russula lutea Gloeocystidiellum sp. Oligoporus sp. Russula olivacea Gloeophyllum sepiarium Onnia tomentosa Russula puellaris Gloeoporus pannocinctus Pachycudonia spathulata Russula subfoetens glutinosus Panus sp. Russula veternosa Guepinia helvelloides Peniophora cf. polygonia Russula xerampelina Gymnopilus liquirtiae Peniophora rufa Schizophyllum commune Gymnopus confluens Perenniporia medulla-panis Scutellinia scutellata nidulans Phanerochaete velutina Spathularia flavida Heliocybe sulcata Phellinus igniarius Steccherinum ochraceum Helvella cf. crispa Phellinus pini Stemonitis splendens (Myxomycete) Helvella crispa Phellinus punctatus Stereum cf. gausapatum Hericium americanum Phellinus tremulae Stereum sanguinolentum Hericium coralloides Phellinus viticola Stereum subtomentosum Hydnellum caeruleum Phlebia rufa cf. grevillei Hydnopolyporus fimbriatus Pholiota squarrosa palmata Hydnum umbilicatum Phyllotopsis nidulans cf. bakerensis Piptoporus betulinus Tomentella cf. punicea Hymenochaete tabacina ostreatus Tomentella sp. Hyphodontia sp. Pleurotus populinus Trametes versicolor Hypocrea pulvinata Plicaturopsis crispa Trechispora sp. Hypsizygus tessulatus Pluteus cervinus var. cervinus encephala obliquus Pluteus pellitus Tremella mesenterica Isaria sp. Pluteus petasatus Trichaptum abietinum Laccaria bicolor Pluteus petasatus Trichaptum biforme Laccaria cf. laccata Pluteus romellii controversus Pluteus sp. Tricholoma saponaceum Lactarius repraesentaneus Polyporus alveolaris var. saponaceum Lactarius rufus Polyporus badius Tricholomopsis decora Lactarius uvidus Polyporus leptocephalus Typhula uncialis Leccinum boreale Postia cf. caesia Tyromyces chioneus Leccinum insigne Postia fragilis Tyromyces fumidiceps Leccinum scabrum Postia guttulata Xeromphalina campanella Lentinus levis Postia stiptica Xylaria sp.

www.wildmushrooms.ws Fall 2007 No. 3 5 “City of Champignons” Mushroom Exposition

Our annual mushroom exposition at the Devonian fungi were collected and set-up started the previous day. Botanic Garden on August 12 was once again a well Upon entering the Pine Pavilion, George and Anne attended event. Despite a few hot and very dry weeks greeted our guests and directed them towards the earlier in the summer, we found a large number of different display areas. Martin, Bill, and I spent most of different fungi. An estimated 150 different fungi were the day behind the display tables, answering countless collected the previous day(s) and displayed for the about questions and pointing out the finer details of fungi. 250-300 visitors to the Pine Pavilion on this sunny and Martin also gave a wonderful presentation about fungi, warm day. For example, an entire display table was while Bill led a group of visitors on a mushroom walk dedicated to wood decay fungi, showing anything from through the Devonian Botanic Garden. Our mushroom well-known, typical, and very conspicuous conks to much kitchen provided once again wonderfully delicious less visible and often less apparent gilled fungi. Needless culinary masterpieces. Thank you to Judy et al. for to say, boletes (primarily Suillus and Leccinum) organizing this integral part of our exposition. Alan and represented a large group of fungi on display, as were Rae organized our sales centre, managing a plethora of species of Amanita, Cortinarius, and the ever present and mycological books and posters and dried and fresh abundant representative species of Russula. Display mushrooms from Mona Foods. We also gained a few tables about fresh and dried edible, poisonous, and new members as a result of this event! Melanie, Robert medicinal fungi, our mushroom kitchen, and sales centre (S. and R.), Hans and Inge, and Jeanette mingled with rounded out the hands-on displays. Our 2006 photo our visitors and provided much appreciated background contest winning images, a Powerpoint presentation about on a myriad of fungal topics. Last but not least, we fungal form, function, and diversity, and a guided thank our hosts, the Devonian Botanic Garden, for mushroom walk through the Devonian Botanic garden access to the Pine Pavilion. This is a wonderful facility, were well received and garnered a lot of excitement and and we already look forward to next year’s expo. appreciation from our guests that afternoon, as was apparent in the comments sheets near the Pavilion entrance. A great thank-you goes out to all of the volunteers Markus Thormann who spent countless hours preparing this event. Many

Letter from the Editor: This will be the last issue Within the Stinkhorn could be to the members that do not of for 2007. As found all the minutes of the year, subscribe to email. this is our 20th Anniversary interesting articles on fungi, I will try to get a sampling year, the executive thought it recipes, book reviews and recaps of the last twenty years and try would be a great idea to of the forays that were taken and to keep the page number down. resurrect the original some of the rare finds. It will be more than twelve and publication of the Edmonton A newer version of this hopefully not more than twenty. Mushroom Club, now known publication will be available at the Since it is our twentieth as the Edmonton Mycological beginning of November. NO, it will anniversary, twenty pages Society. not be 50 pages long although with seems like a good number. For the first five years or all that has been happening within With a bit of luck, it will be so, the club had an annual our club over the last twenty ready for the President’s Dinner publication called “The years, that would not be difficult to - although that is a little earlier Stinkhorn”. This was produced do. I’m not sure how our various than I was hoping for. I will not by Sean Abbott and usually emails would handle this nor how be at the dinner but hopefully ran at least 55-60 pages. much it would cost to “snail mail” the Stinkhorn will be. Geraldine Kolacz

6 Fall 2007 No. 3 www.wildmushrooms.ws Lambert Creek Foray Species List for the Lambert September 8 & 9, 2007 Creek Foray - September 8-9, 2007 One of the last official forays of the year once again took us to Lambert Creek southwest of Edson. About 20 members arrived at the Amanita muscaria campsite between Friday evening and Saturday noon to scour the Armillaria spp. surrounding mixedwood forests for honey mushrooms, , Cantharellus tubaeformis vinicolor hedgehogs, and other delectable fungi. The moist conditions and Clavariadelphus ligula relatively warm temperatures in the area were very conducive for the Clavariadelphus truncatus growth of fungi, and we were not disappointed to see the forest floor Collybia odora covered with thousands of fungi. It was literally difficult to walk through Collybia sp. the forests and not step on some fungi. Needless to say, we were happy Cortinarius spp. to see an overabundance of honey mushrooms, which were eagerly Cystoderma sp. collected and stashed away in vehicles, tents, and campers. Other Fomitopsis pinicola edibles included the yellow-footed (Cantharellus tubaeformis), Fuscoboletinus cf. hedgehogs (Hydnum repandum), pig’s ears ( clavatus), various sinuspaulianus Fuscoboletinus spectabilis boletes (mostly Suillus spp.), the winepeg (), and Gloeophyllum sepiarium the man-on-horseback (Tricholoma equestre). Overall, the foray yielded a Gomphus clavatus very diverse assemblage of fungi, even when we excluded the ever Gyromitra infula abundant Cortinarius spp. One very notable find was Hygrocybe psittacina Helvella lacunosa var. psittacina, a small, green, slimy-capped waxy species. This may be Helvella sp. the first report of this fungus in Alberta, according to our data base. Hydnellum aurantiacum Nine members of the club remained at the campsite and “survived” Hydnum repandum the overnight low of -5 ºC. In the morning, two members of the Hygrocybe cf. virginea var. virginea Edmonton Nature Club, Stan Gosche and David Lagadyn, joined the Hygrocybe psittacina forayers. Both are interested in nature photography and recently var. psittacina discovered that mushrooms make passive and very attractive subjects. Hygrophorus rubescens Wildlife, particularly a bear sighted about 3 km from the campsite on Hygrophorus sp. Saturday afternoon, did not bother anyone; however, a run-in with a wasp Laccaria laccata left Bill with a severely swollen eye, which considerably hampered his Lactarius deliciosus identification efforts thereafter. Lactarius scrobiculatus Markus Thormann Leccinum insigne Leccinum snellii Lycoperdon umbrinum Mycena spp. Onnia tomentosa Pachycudonia spathulata Peziza repanda Ramaria spp. Rozites caperatus Russula spp. Sarcodon ustalis Suillus cavipes Suillus sp. Suillus tomentosus Suillus umbonatus Tremella mesenterica Tricholoma equestre Tricholoma magnivelare Tricholoma sp. www.wildmushrooms.ws Fall 2007 No. 3 7 Wednesday evening foray at McTaggart Sanctuary Poplar Creek Foray June 16-17 2007 About 12 of us met at the parking lot off 23rd th Avenue on a hot and muggy July 19 to explore an as Once again, we owe Pieter van der Schoot of yet for us mycologically unexplored mixedwood a great deal of appreciate for opening up his stand in south Edmonton – McTaggart Sanctuary. fantastic section of property to the Edmonton Equipped with bug spray, water, sharpened knives, Mycological Society. Not only did Pieter and baskets, we set forth along the about 1-km-long provide us access to his property he single-track path that meanders through the accommodated us with warmth and shelter. sanctuary. As it is usual with mushroom hunters, once we were about 50 m along the path, most of us And as always, a great many fungi. dispersed into the woods in hopes of finding the most In addition to forays on Pieter’s property, (and best) mushrooms. It seemed to be “Russula this is primarily our chance and obligation to season”, as members of this were incredibly note changes occurring within the Poplar abundant throughout the sanctuary. Among the many Creek Natural Area and report them to Parks different species were also a few edibles, e.g., H. and Protected Areas Program. For the past coralloides, A. silvicola, and the ever abundant fifteen year, the EMS has been visiting the Marasmius oreades. natural area as a co-volunteer with Pieter and I have been ‘shrooming through the sanctuary his family. We have the seen the habitat for about a year now, and remember an amazing flush change both rapidly and slowly. The several of fungi in the fall of 2006, when my partner Leanne years of devastating tent caterpillar infestations and I found about 60 different species of fungi in under in late 1980s rapidly reduced the aspen poplar an hour. This area is certainly worth re-visiting in the to a large oyster mushroom () near future, especially in light of encroachment from patch. Since then we have watched the slow the expanding subdivisions of McGrath and recovery of the aspen and an every increasing McTaggart Ridge to the west. decline of oyster mushrooms. Other mushrooms are now appearing; this Agaricus silvicola year for the first time, we have found cf. Amanita sp. Cryptoporus volvatus, which concerns Pieter as Chlorociboria aeruginascens a wood lot owner, as it may be potentially Coprinellus truncorum Fomes fomentarius pathogenic on . However, all I have Fomitopsis pinicola read indicates that it attacks standing dead Ganoderma applanatum conifers. I have now encountered it four times, Hericium coralloides twice in Jasper National Park, each time they Hygrocybe cf. aurantiaca were on standing dead pine trees. This Laccaria spp. summer, it has been seen also on the Alberta Leccinum sp. (last year’s) Foray at Lakeland Provincial Recreation Area Marasmius oreades and, as at Poplar Creek, it was on a dead and Phragmidium sp. on rosehip recently downed white tree. Phyllotopsis nidulans We are very fortunate to date that this Plutues cervinus natural area has not caught the attention of Ramaria sp. motorized recreational enthusiasts, for even Russula spp. though the habitats change the tranquility of Russula cf. xerampelina Trametes hirsuta this site does not. Hopefully for a very long plus many others… time. Markus Thormann Markus Thormann

8 Fall 2007 No. 3 www.wildmushrooms.ws Recipe

Mushroom and Spinach Side Dish

This side dish makes four servings; it’s perfect to keep in your fridge to add to stir-fries or pasta dishes. Use as many different mushrooms as you can find, especially the healthier varieties like shiitake, enoki and oyster mushrooms. The dried porcini or cepes really add a lot of flavor. You’ll find them in little packages near the produce stands. 4 servings.

Ingredients:

1/2 oz dried porcini or cepes mushrooms (optional) 2 tsbp olive oil, preferably extra virgin 1 lb mixed, fresh mushrooms 4 cloves of garlic, minced 1 tsp herb and spice blend 2 cups organic baby spinach leaves

Instructions:

If you’re using porcini mushrooms or cepes, put them in a dish with enough hot water to barely cover and let them soak for about 20 minutes. Wash and slice the fresh mushrooms and remove any tough stems. In a large pan with a cover, heat the oil and sauté the mushrooms, including the soaked porcini and the soaking liquid. Stir well, cover and cook gently for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and herb blend, cover and cook for another 5 minutes, until the mushrooms are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Add the baby spinach leaves to the mushroom mix. Stir to wilt them briefly, and the dish is ready to serve, or to store in the fridge for later use. You may want to add salt and pepper to taste but most people find it’s not necessary.

Nutritional Information: Per serving: 10 g carbohydrate 110 calories 3 g protein 7 g total fat (1 g sat) 2 g fiber 0 mg cholesterol 18 mg sodium

www.wildmushrooms.ws Fall 2007 No. 3 9 Recipe Stuffed Mushroom Caps with Couscous (6 servings)

Couscous is a mildly nutty-tasting grain that comes from North Africa. It makes a great stuffing, especially for a small cavity like a mushroom, because it’s so moist. When the stuffed mushrooms are baked, the full flavor of the couscous and the mushrooms really come through. These will go fast!

Ingredients: 1/4 cup chopped walnuts 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 shallots, chopped 1-1/2 tablespoons natural soy sauce (such as tamari) 1 cup white wine 12 medium small-capped mushrooms, washed and stems removed (agarics work well) 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock or purified water 1/4 cup couscous Salt Freshly ground pepper 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and roast for 5 minutes, just until they turn slightly more brown. Pour them into a small bowl. Set a large sauce pan with the olive oil over low heat for less than 1 minute. Drop in the garlic and the shallots. Add the soy sauce, wine, and mushrooms and simmer covered until the mushrooms are tender, about 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to shake the mushrooms so that the cooking liquid falls back into the pan, then transfer the drained mushrooms to a baking dish, arranging them hollow side up. Reserve the liquid in the pan. Cook the couscous by bringing the vegetable stock or water to a boil in a separate pot. Pour in the couscous, lower the heat, and simmer covered for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. All the liquid should be absorbed. Now, dump the couscous into the sauce pan with the reserved liquid, cover, and cook over low heat until all the liquid is absorbed. Lightly salt and pepper the mushroom caps. Finish the stuffing by mixing the nuts, herbs, Parmesan cheese into the cooked couscous. Using a tablespoon, pile a small mound of filling inside the cap of each mushroom. Bake for 10 minutes or until the stuffing is lightly browned on top.

Nutritional Information: Per serving: 107 calories 6 g total fat (1 g sat) 1 mg cholesterol 10 g carbohydrate 3 g protein 1 g fiber 350 mg sodium

10 Fall 2007 No. 3 www.wildmushrooms.ws The Blewitt’s Family History Basidiomycetes - bear spores Hymenomycetes - spores on an exposed surface Agaricales - gilled mushrooms

Tricholomataceae This diverse family contains the pale- spored agarics. The spore print is usually white, but ranges from buff, yellow, pale lilac Photos courtesy: or pinkish (the Blewitt). The family is mostly Loretta Puckrin terrestrial, that is they grow on the ground. and Martin Osis They are mainly woodland fungi. To Let’s see how good your determine if you have a Tricholomataceae identification skills are. Can you identify the species here are some of the indications that the on this page?? They are all mushroom you have in hand belongs to discussed in the article on another pale-spored family. the Blewitt. Hygrophoraceae - gills are soft, thick and waxy Cantharellaceae - gills are shallow, blunt and foldlike - the forms are dry, brittle Amanitaceae - has a volva

Some delicious edible mushrooms, with which you might be familiar, that belong to this family are:

Oyster - Pleurotus ostreatus Man-on-horseback - Tricholoma flavovirens Honey - Armillaria mellea complex - Tricholoma magnivelare - Marasmius oreades

Because this family is so large, they have been grouped into three large segments defined by: a) wood-inhabiting, shelf-like b) fleshy-stalked, mostly terrestrial (this is the Blewitt’s segment) c) thin fragile Final determinations of species are often defined by esoteric chemical and anatomical (microscopic) details. The good news is that while some are considered mildly poisonous there are no mushrooms in this family that are considered fatal according to “Leni”.

Loretta Puckrin

www.wildmushrooms.ws Fall 2007 No. 3 11 Hope you made it to most of the events All forays are undertaken at your own EMS Calendar of Events for 2007 risk. You are responsible for transpor- tation and accommodation. March City of Champignons Meeting: Growing your own Exhibition Dry Mixedwood Boreal 27 mushrooms. Spore plugs will be 12 Mushroom: Displays of all sorts Mushrooms: Winter available and information on Location: Devonian Gardens 24 how to get as well as a DVD Done Location: George & Ann from NAMA on growing Meeting: Cordyceps Litven’s WoodlotDone mushrooms.Done 22 by Robert Rogers April July Done Meeting: NAMA Foray Mid-summer Camp-out September 25 Intro Presentation and Keying Mushroom: Leccinum, various Genera by Martin 14/15 other boletes, Lambert Creek Osis Chanterelles(?) Campout Location: Robb AreaDone Mushroom: Honey DoneMay 8-9 Mushrooms, Hedgehogs Mid-Summer Evening Foray in and ChanterellesDone Aspen Parkland the Edmonton River Valley Location: Lambert Creek or Hinton Mushrooms: Morels, Verpas 18 Mushrooms: Various Area - TBA 12 and Spring Agarics Location: Old Timers Cabin Location: Return to the Done Club’s inaugural morel site - Sicamous Ministik Done Meeting: Boreal Forest Fungi Presentation by Markus 22/23 Mushroom: Fungi of 25 Thormann the region with the Meeting: Fungal Vancouver MycologicalDone Society Photograph by Loretta 23 Puckrin Done Meeting: Mycophagy August Presentation Done 26 by TBA June Alberta Foray (Boreal Bring your appetite. New Members Field Forest Region) Done Introduction 3-6 Events: Mushroom 6 Mushroom: Last morels Collection for the October and early agarics and Database, Forays andDone Lectures polypores Location: Lac La Biche. Registration Meeting: Presentation Location: EdmontonDone River Valley- Required. 24 Program TBA site TBA 24 Pre-Exposition Forays 25 Mushrooms: All groups from Volunteer Steward Commitment 11 all habitats Mushroom: Oysters and Location: All regions, your November early summer agarics 16 choice.Mushrooms to be collected for President’s Dinner Location: Poplar Creek the Mushroom Exhibit the next day. 3 Natural Area Done Done General Member Meetings Fourth Wednesday of every month - Time: 7:00 pm Location: Riverbend Library

12 Fall 2007 No. 3 www.wildmushrooms.ws