Comments for The Mushroom Diary - Wild UK Mushroom Hunting Blog

Comment on Horse & Field Mushroom Imposter! – The Yellow Stainer by Carol

Carol — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 15:06:26 +0000

I have found heaps on these mushrooms on our property in South Australia (Mt Compass area) especially this winter, and I have previously cooked and eaten these with no ill effects. But the taste and smell when cooked is not very appetising. I thought the yellow colour might be caused from a high iodine content but they did have a strong chemical taste.

Comment on Common as muck! The Common Earthball by J C Harris

J C Harris — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:40:23 +0000

Hi Gaynor.

The Common Earthball is not harmful to trees or life around it, in fact it’s ecology is mycorrhizal, meaning it lives in symbiosis with the trees (roots) around it. They both swap nutrients to benefit each others well being.

Comment on Common as muck! The Common Earthball by Gaynor Darbishire

Gaynor Darbishire — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:16:46 +0000

Is it harmful to a young (7 year old ) tree ? What action could or should be taken , if any ? Most anxious to learn . GMD

Comment on Sticky Suillus – Slippery Jack by Rory

Rory — Fri, 31 May 2013 07:27:38 +0000

Hi John, tks for speedy reply with info on drying them. Did it all & after 40 minutes my house was filled with a beautiful perfume. Curiosity got the better of me & went to check the oven – aaaaaaahhhhhrrrr.
This dopey Dora set oven to 150 as per instructions, – but would have been smarter if i noticed it was Fahrenheit, not centigrade. Consequently I have VERY dried slippery jacks. Will be more careful next time. But I can still use in risotto or a pasta sauce.

Comment on Horse & Field Mushroom Imposter! – The Yellow Stainer by J C Harris

J C Harris — Thu, 30 May 2013 09:49:46 +0000

Definitely an Agaricus of some kind then Luan. It’s always good to check the very base of the stem to make sure. Happy hunting.

Comment on Horse & Field Mushroom Imposter! – The Yellow Stainer by J C Harris

J C Harris — Thu, 30 May 2013 09:48:22 +0000

Glad I spared you any bad loo time Aidee. Nice one :)

Comment on Horse & Field Mushroom Imposter! – The Yellow Stainer by aidee

aidee — Thu, 30 May 2013 00:03:46 +0000

Mushrooms have popped up in the backyard after autumnal rains here in Oz, with a google search re yellow bruising leading here. Thanks therefore for the great mushroom resource and for saving me an arvo on the loo :)

Comment on Sticky Suillus – Slippery Jack by J C Harris

J C Harris — Wed, 29 May 2013 14:42:31 +0000

Hi Rory Drying is a great way to keep mushrooms for up to a year in storage. There are several ways you can dry mushrooms, such as using an oven or even a radiator while hung on a length of string! For best results you would have to purchase a dehydraytor. You can buy these online at Amazon etc.. To oven dry, see this online article which is very helpful. If you prefer pickling them the see this article which is also very informative. Good luck with the presrving...

Comment on Sticky Suillus – Slippery Jack by Rory Boutagy

Rory Boutagy — Wed, 29 May 2013 10:38:37 +0000

Thank you for making it so easy for me to recognise & identify “slippery jacks” I found under the pine trees in my paddocks 200 Kms south of Sydney Australia! By all accounts I should be drying them. Any tips on doing this? Sun dried, oven dried ? Whole or sliced ? Peeled or not? Grateful for an expert’s advice.

Comment on Fairy Rings – Fairy Ring Champignon by J C Harris

J C Harris — Mon, 27 May 2013 10:39:25 +0000

Hi Seh

It sounds very much like the St.Georges Mushroom (Calocybe gambosa) which is in the family of Domecaps. It’s location sounds right and the season too. It can appear on St.Georges Day (hence the common name) but more often than not, appearing a week or two later. The white cap can be 5 – 15cm across and the gills are crowded and whitish too. But always be careful. Treble check all ID features from books or online sources. If you have any photos you can send to me at john@mushroomdiary.co.uk so I can help. Please feature all parts of the mushroom such as all of the stem, cap and gills.