So Many Mushrooms

Carol Oliver writes,

There seems to be more mushrooms this year, or more than I've ever seen. I kind of have an idea which ones are edible. My Dad used to collect.

LEO says:

With the record amount of rain this summer in many areas of Alaska, we have received reports about the proliferation of mushrooms as well as other fungi, on plants and trees. If there are more mushrooms than normal, it is a good bet that the summer conditions have been wetter then normal. See mushroom resources below. Exercise caution in proper identification of mushrooms, if you are thinking about harvesting for consumption. Some species are inedible or even poisonous. See also the article in Alaska Dispatch News (August 20) about the bumper crop in Southcentral Alaska.

Resource:

US Forest Service Alaska Region, Mushrooms of the National Forests in Alaska; The coastal temperate rainforests of the Tongass and Chugach national forests often produce prolific fruitings of mushrooms in late summer and fall.This brochure presents an introduction to mushrooms and illustrates a number of the more common and interesting of our local species to help Alaskans and visitors to better understand and enjoy our magnificent national forests. U.S. Department of Agriculture

Media:

Alaska Dispatch News – If you think mushrooms are everywhere this year in Southcentral Alaska, you're right, by Suzanna Caldwell (2016-08-20)

Short video:

Intro to Alaskan nushroom – Take a stroll through the Alaskan forest with us and see the wonders it has to offer. Our host is Bill White, an expert mushroom hunter and a passionate amateur mycologist who has been a member of the FFSC (Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz) for almost 40 years. He will introduce a few species of mushrooms common to North America and Alaska, such as Boletus edulis, Birch bolete (Leccinum scabrum), Gypsy mushroom (Cortinarius caperatus), and Lion's Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) as well as others. (rt 7:05) YouTube