With the cool, rainy December weather look out for Snow Fungus, Tremella fuciformis. Sam and the crew found this beautiful jelly fungus during the Plant and Mushroom Walk at Circle Acres this past weekend. It has been cultivated in Asia for hundreds of years and is used in everything from desserts, soups, and cosmetic products.
Keep an eye out for Oysters, Pleurotus ostreatus on dead black willows and oaks.
The medicinal mushroom Turkey Tail, Trametes versicolor is also flushing after rain. Make sure the underside is white because it looks a lot like False turkey tail.
Look for Reishi, the "Mushroom of Immortality" or Ganoderma species on dying or dead Pecan trees. If the top of the shelf looks red and varnished and the underside is still white, it is still good to harvest for medicinal purposes.
As always, if you are trying a new mushroom, confirm the ID with an expert, then try a small amount to make sure you don't have an allergic reactions. Texas Mushroom Identification Facebook group is great for quick responses and ID help. Click images to learn more and to see where to find them! Also, don't forget to add your finds on the Mushrooms of Texas project on iNaturalist. Follow my adventures @forage.atx.
