Hunting mushrooms in Central Massachusetts, USA

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BMS Stomping Grounds

If in doubt, throw it out!
Learn to recognize the mushrooms that can kill you!!!

"It truly surprises most people to learn that of thousands of mushrooms, probably less than a dozen are deadly. There are, of course, scores that will cause sufficient grief to make you wish they were deadly, but in truth they are no worse than an overdose of prune juice." Celebrating The Wild Mushroom - A Passionate Quest by Sara Ann Friedman

"There are old mushroom hunters and there are bold mushroom hunters, but there are no old, bold mushroom hunters", Klingensmith said.

But there are always those that break the rule :o)

Hi, My name is Vladimir.
I became interested in mushrooms in the Fall of 2002 when I first saw a 50 foot diameter ferry ring of mushrooms growing in Boynton Park, Worcester. I wanted to find out what the mushroom was. That started the obsession.

I joined Boston Mycological Club and went out on their forays. In the spring of 2004, I went out three times with the Berkshire Mycological Society, on Morel hunts. I found my first Morel, for me, and for the club at hunt #2! At hunt #3 I went back to the fist hunt location and found 4 Morel there. I found 2 Morel at hunt #3. I then was able to find Morel closer to where I live. I like the way the Berkshire club is run. They have no dues nor any meetings to attend. They post their schedule on their web site to announce the forays. Instructions and maps are provided on the web site. I like this free and informal system. If I lived closer to the Berkshires, I would go out with them on a regular basis.

Digestibility of mushrooms:

The cells of mushrooms have walls made from chitin like substances that can not be broken down by the human digestive system. This leads to statements that mushrooms pass through our system without change. Also that mushrooms have no nutritive value. Both are false.

Simply by chewing thoroughly some of the cell walls are broken and nutrients released for use.

Cooking further improves digestibility, flavor and nutritional value of mushrooms.

Cooking also eliminates some of the potentially harmful substances present in the mushrooms.

Dried mushrooms, when cooked, are more digestible then fresh cooked mushrooms.

Mushrooms Nutritional value:

Mushrooms are low in calories, have no cholesterol and are virtually free of fat and sodium. Mushrooms also contain other essential minerals like Selenium, which works with Vitamin E to produce antioxidants that neutralize "free radicals" which can cause cell damage. Studies have suggested that selenium may reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, may slow the progress of HIV disease and may aid in symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatitis and asthma. Studies show men who eat selenium rich foods may lower their risk of prostate cancer.

Potassium (good for the heart) is also found in mushrooms. It has been suggested a diet with potassium may help to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Copper is another essential mineral found in mushrooms. Copper aids iron (also found in mushrooms) in making red blood cells and delivers oxygen to the body. Mushrooms also contain three B-complex vitamins; riboflavin for healthy skin and vision, niacin aids the digestive and nervous systems, and pantothenic acid helps with the nervous system and hormone production. These vitamins are found in every cell and help to release energy from fat, protein and carbohydrates in food. Vegetarians should know that mushrooms are one of the best sources of niacin. The vitamin content of mushrooms is actually similar to the vitamin content found in meat.
The amino acid count in mushrooms is higher per serving than corn, peanuts, kidney and soy beans. The average mushroom is also high in protein and nucleic acid.

Mushroom Articles
Dick's Easy Approach simplified guide for beginners
Alan Muskat Article Stalking the Edible Wild Mushroom - humor
Morel
Edible Mushroom
General Mushrooming
Other Nationalities
Mushroom People
Humor
Cooking

Medicinal Mushroom
Chaga
Why I Use Chaga
Chaga Recipes
Ganoderma

Mushroom Books
Recommended Mushroom Books For Beginners
My Mushroom book collection

On-line Mushroom Guides
On-line synoptic key to the species of Russula in North America
Key to Gilled Mushrooms
Key to Major Groups of Mushrooms
Easy key

NE Mushroom Hunters group member articles and web sites
TYPE STUDIES AND NOMENCLATURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE GENUS SPARASSIS - 61kb PDF
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF GRIFOLA FRONDOSA a Thesis - 696kb PDF
Mushroom nutrient data - 8/21/06
Bills Message on Boletus/Tylopilus
Max's tsugae Tea Recipe
Are you ready to buy a microscope?
Name a mushroom after yourself.
Bicolor?
Russ Cohen's site.
Bill Russell’s site.
Aaron Muderick's Mushroom pictures

Mushroom Forums
Online Community For Mushroom Hunters
Get answers to your questions from experts.
FungusFun.com
Yahoo Groups Western PA Mushroom Club
Reports of mushroom finds from all over USA.

**Links**
Roger Phillips web site	best picture guide on the web
George Barron's Website on Fungi	A lot of information on fungi.
Mushroom Expert	A good place to get information about Morels.
Tom Volk's Fungi	Mycology and mushrooms
Cornell Mushroom Blog	Great mushroom articles.
Mushrooms at Evergreen	Arranged by seasons, good photos, advice on edibility
Taylor Lockwood- Photography	The most beautiful photographs you will ever see
Taming Wild Mushrooms	A web site by another hunter.
Foray Results	Lists foray and survey results for different towns in Massachusetts.
The Great Morel Site	A site of a hunter who specializes :o)
Foreign Names of Mushrooms	If you know of some that are not included let me know.
List of Recommended English Names For Fungi in England -269kb PDF	We need a list like this for USA.
Western PA Mushroom Club Life List	A good place to find out what mushrooms are found in the Northeast.
Recipes	These will work with any mushroom.
The Cook's Thesaurus	Mushroom by any other name...
Russian Recipes from russianfoods.com	Mushroom recipes and more.
Cookbook	Wild About Mushrooms The online Cookbook of the Mycological Society of San Francisco

I have found the digital camera a very useful tool in helping me learn to identify mushrooms. I also take a pictures of anything that I find interesting. I am primarily interested in edible mushrooms but will take pictures of anything that strike my fancy and in some cases even track down what it is called. The mushrooms that I use in the background and as the center photo in the banner, I have not identified. To me, they looked like they were dancing. That was good enough reason to take their picture.

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Site Established 8/6/04
Updated 7/26/08

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Hunting mushrooms in Central Massachusetts, USA

Hi, My name is Vladimir. I became interested in mushrooms in the Fall of 2002 when I first saw a 50 foot diameter ferry ring of mushrooms growing in Boynton Park, Worcester. I wanted to find out what the mushroom was. That started the obsession.

Hi, My name is Vladimir.
I became interested in mushrooms in the Fall of 2002 when I first saw a 50 foot diameter ferry ring of mushrooms growing in Boynton Park, Worcester. I wanted to find out what the mushroom was. That started the obsession.