Foray at Wheaton Regional Park

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)

Yesterday I went to another excellent foray at Wheaton Regional Park. Despite the rainy day and the cold weather, the foray was a lot of fun. The group explored the area following the path to the left of Brookside Nature Center (see location here). 

The forest was full of mushrooms including many edibles. Some of them were Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus), Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa), Honey Mushroom (Armilaria mellea), Aborted Entoloma (Entoloma abortvitum),  Gem-studded Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum), the Grisette (Amanita fulva) and some old (yet still good to eat) Chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius). 

Violet-branched Coral (Clavulina amethystina)

Apart from that, there were a large variety of coral mushrooms, including Smoky Worm Coral (Clavaria claviculata), Spindle-shaped Yellow Coral (C. fusiformis), Yellow Tunning Fork (Calocera viscosa), Purple Club Coral (Clavaria purpuria), Vase Telphoras (Telephora vialis) and Violet-branched Coral (Clavulina amethystina).

We also found Poison Pig-skin Puffball (Scleroderma citrinum),  False Turkey Tail (Stereum ostrea), Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor), White Cheese Polypore (Tyromyces chioneus), Thin-mazed Polypore (Daedaleopsis confragosa), Rooted Collybia (Xerula furfuracea), Gilled Bolete (Phylloporus rhodoxanthus), Yellow Unicorn Entoloma (Entoloma muraii), a variety of red russulas (Russula sp.), some Lactarius and some Waxi Caps (Hygrocybe sp.) including the Golden Waxy Cap (Hygrocybe flavescens) and the Candy-apple Waxy Cap (Hygrocybe cuspidata).

Smoky Worm Coral (Clavaria rubicundula)

Last, given the large variety and abundance of edibles we found yesterday, I am expecting that the MAW Fall Tasting event (this Tuesday, October 4th at 7 pm) at Kensington Park public library this year won't be anything but excellent. Therefore, if you are not a member of MAW yet, and you are interested in trying some wild mushrooms this week, this is a great time to join (only members are allowed on the tasting events).