Anyone familiar mushroom, fungi?

[ROBBYBOBBY64]

This is growing on a big dead stump.

You have to know what kind of stump it is. Do not eat chicken of the woods off of any pine type tree.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

 

[ROBBYBOBBY64]

I think I remember hearing maybe Washington has the largest single fungi or mushroom existing

It is Oregon and it is Golden Fungus. Actually edible, though I never tried it. Here is some I found in my neck of the woods.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

 

[Mailman1960]

It is Oregon and it is Golden Fungus. Actually edible, though I never tried it. Here is some I found in my neck of the woods.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

 

[Mailman1960]

I probably should start learning how to identify edible one's, I noticed several different varieties yesterday.

 

[willong]

Yes, they are supposed to taste like chicken. Texture yeah, taste I'm not sure. I put them in chicken soup. I get the giant puffballs too. They are surreal. The size of a basketball and much bigger.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

My old man grew up in western PA, near Newcastle. He always spoke fondly of his life as a farm boy, even during the Great Depression. Good food had much to do with forming his memories, and enjoying Giant puffballs featured in his tales more than once. While I have seen many varieties of puffballs, I've yet to encounter the giants like you photographed or my late father enjoyed eating. I recently got a tip on where to search next year in the vicinity of land that my folks left me in northeastern WA. I hope it will not end up being an unchecked item on my bucket list!

 

[willong]

I probably should start learning how to identify edible one's, I noticed several different varieties yesterday

It is another fun and immensely rewarding way to enjoy woods, fields and mountains (deserts, not so much )!

Most locales have a mycological society or mushroom foraging club in the vicinity. Going with experienced collectors is one of the best ways to learn. I initially learned from books, but I tend to be anal about identification of potentially lethal fungi. I have even passed on known edible species that are listed as "choice, with caution" because I hate getting gastric illness and heaving. Some delectable varieties cause gastric upset in just a few people; I don't want learn that I am one of that population.

If you do join a club, I would recommend going on the group outings before teaming up with any one individual. It would give you a chance to learn who really knows their topic. All endeavors seem to have a few chance-takers among their ranks. Wild mushroom collection and consumption is an activity where one wants to avoid such types.

 

[ROBBYBOBBY64]

My old man grew up in western PA, near Newcastle. He always spoke fondly of his life as a farm boy, even during the Great Depression. Good food had much to do with forming his memories, and enjoying Giant puffballs featured in his tales more than once. While I have seen many varieties of puffballs, I've yet to encounter the giants like you photographed or my late father enjoyed eating. I recently got a tip on where to search next year in the vicinity of land that my folks left me in northeastern WA. I hope it will not end up being an unchecked item on my bucket list!

I find them after a heavy thunder storm in July, that's in N.J. They grow fast so I like to keep an eye on potential monsters. Get them before the bugs do. I like the picture because it reminds me of one of those exaggerated post cards from the 1920's. Huge fish, rabbit and vegetables. I hope you get out to your property and find some. If they are any color other than pure white inside, they are not giant puffballs.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

 

[ROBBYBOBBY64]

It is another fun and immensely rewarding way to enjoy woods, fields and mountains (deserts, not so much )!

Most locales have a mycological society or mushroom foraging club in the vicinity. Going with experienced collectors is one of the best ways to learn. I initially learned from books, but I tend to be anal about identification of potentially lethal fungi. I have even passed on known edible species that are listed as "choice, with caution" because I hate getting gastric illness and heaving. Some delectable varieties cause gastric upset in just a few people; I don't want learn that I am one of that population.

If you do join a club, I would recommend going on the group outings before teaming up with any one individual. It would give you a chance to learn who really knows their topic. All endeavors seem to have a few chance-takers among their ranks. Wild mushroom collection and consumption is an activity where one wants to avoid such types.

Even edible mushrooms should be harvested only after identifying the host. Mushrooms growing on the wrong type of tree, like a chicken of the woods growing on a dead pine tree.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

 

[Mailman1960]

Even edible mushrooms should be harvested only after identifying the host. Mushrooms growing on the wrong type of tree, like a chicken of the woods growing on a dead pine tree.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

Cooked up chicken of the woods 3 ways in a very hot skillet
1. Butter, pepper, was very good
2. Garlic, salt and pepper good but Garlic was a little over powering
3. Teriyaki, olive oil, and very little pepper very good

 

[Mailman1960]

Cooked up chicken of the woods 3 ways in a very hot skillet
1. Butter, pepper, was very good
2. Garlic, salt and pepper good but Garlic was a little over powering
3. Teriyaki, olive oil, and very little pepper very good

Also it's to bad you can't get them year round, most people will never have a chance to taste them. I brought some to 5 friends they all loved them.