Tag Archives: Irma Brandt

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Jackie Baas found the first Boletus edulis, King bolete, of the season about two weeks ago. Here's the beauty that popped up in an area she has never found one before.first-boletus-edulis-of-the-season-by-jackie-baasSince then we've had more rain and now the King boletes are abundant. Irma Brandt found a very fertile area last week.

a-treasure-trove-of-boletus-edulis-by-irma-brandtOne of the most delicious edible mushrooms, they are so fun to find. Look for them near Bishop pine trees.

I spotted the first Fly amanitas two days ago, and two Coccoras are peeking up under the duff in our forest. Tiny mushrooms are appearing in masses. Oh, it's so fun to have this early rain and have the mushrooms appear!

Thanks to Jackie and Irma for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

 

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Irma Brandt was the lucky forager several weeks ago. I'll let her tell you about it. “It’s been pretty dry on the Mendonoma coast, not much fog and no fog drip. But we did get rainfall that sent me exploring in the forest. The top layer of forest debris looks parched, but moving the duff proved that the soil underneath was holding some moisture, enough to find a few scattered Cantharellus roseocanus, the dense, meaty, delicious summer chanterelle. It was like looking for truffles – nothing above ground.”

Summer Chanterelles, Cantharellus roseocanus, by Irma BrandtFinding edible mushrooms is always a treat! Thanks to Irma for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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Irma Brandt came to our property to look at a few amanitas that appeared a several weeks ago. She discovered they were Amanita gemmata, Gemmed Amanitas. They are also called Jonquil Amanita. They are quite poisonous, so look but don't eat.

Irma Brandt with Gemmed Amanita, Amanita gemmata by Jeanne Jackson

It is perfectly safe to handle this mushroom as you see Irma doing. It takes ingesting it to make one sick. The photo below shows the mature mushroom, and the following  photo shows one just peeking up from the duff with the one Irma dug up next to it.

A Gemmed Amanita by Jeanne Jackson Two Gemmed Amanitas by Jeanne Jackson

There is great beauty in mushrooms, and the way they evolve as they grow is fascinating.

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One of our favorite edible mushrooms, Boletus edulis is appearing in greater numbers now. Also called Porcini, Cep or King Bolete, it is a joy to find. Irma Brandt found a uniquely conjoined twosome.

Unusual joining of Boletus edulis by Irma Brandt Bounty of Porcini by Irma Brandt

And here is a photo of Irma's successful mushroom hunt. These delicious mushrooms are usually found near Bishop Pine trees.

Thanks to Irma for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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We're usually looking for Boleus edulis, porcini, in late October and November. But we did have a nice rain in September. That, combined with fog drip, has coaxed several Boletes to pop. Justin Rosenthal found the first ones on The Sea Ranch.

Early Boletus edulis by Justine Rosenthal (Large)

Justin said they were growing about 1/4 mile inland in tall grasses. She said they were hard to see.

Irma Brandt was encouraged to go check one of her spots this past week. Look what she found - two pristine, perfect Boletes.

Two pristine Boletus edulis by Irma Brandt

Several others have found a few too. I think it is going to take a couple of good rainstorms to convince more of these delicious edible mushrooms to appear.

Thanks to Justine and Irma for allowing me to share their photos with you here.