Foraging Stories: Old Man Of The Woods

Wild pig skull found while foraging for chanterelles near Zilker Park.

While out foraging chanterelles, I spotted this huge brown, melanated Old Man Of The Woods (Strobilomyces Strobilaceus). This observation was found up against the trunk of a juniper cedar near Zilker Park in Austin next to a dead wild pig skull. I was surprised to find a pig skull so close to downtown. The only wild pigs I had seen in downtown Austin were the Austin Police Department. Just the day before APD shot “less-lethal” militarized weapons at activists that were protesting against the latest unarmed shooting of Mike Ramos. Several were hospitalized. This happened right before the COVID-19 virus and there still has not been an investigation. With the continued police violence all over the US and the largest uprising against white supremacy, it got me thinking about John Brown, the abolitionist.

Photo by Augustus Washington, circa 1846–1847

"Brown advocated the use of armed insurrection to overthrow the institution of slavery in the United States. He was dissatisfied with the pacifism of the organized abolitionist movement: "These men are all talk. What we need is action—action!" "In October 1859, Brown led a raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, intending to start a slave liberation movement that would spread south through the mountainous regions of Virginia and North Carolina; there was a Provisional Constitution for the state he hoped to establish. He seized the armory, but seven people were killed, and ten or more were injured. He intended to arm slaves with weapons from the armory, but only a small number of local slaves joined his revolt. Within 36 hours, those of Brown's men who had not fled were killed or captured by local farmers, militiamen, and U.S. Marines, the latter led by Robert E. Lee. He was hastily tried for treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia, the murder of five men, and inciting a slave insurrection; he was found guilty on all counts and was hanged. He was the first person executed for treason in the history of the country."

There is a lot of division about tactics that should be used to abolish the economic system that enables a permanent under caste or what scholars call the New Jim Crow. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude—except when applied as punishment for a crime—in the entire United States. There are more black men in prison today than were slaves in 1850. We have the largest prison population in the world and as we continue to make a business out of constructing crimes and demonizing the poor and people of color.

We need to have the same urgency as John Brown had during his time to abolish slavery/prison industrial complex. We have to be unified✊🏻✊🏼✊✊🏽✊🏿 and as tight as a mycelial mass in order to change history. It takes many peaceful protesters, rioters, and looters. We must speak the language that the ruling class understands which is that it cares more about material value than human rights. Kimberly Jones nails it in her video “How Can We Win.”

ABOUT OLD MAN OF THE WOODS

Strobilomyces Strobilaceus, commonly known as Old Man Of The Woods, is a species of fungus in the family #Boletaceae. Fruit bodies are characterized by very soft dark grey to black pyramidal and overlapping scales on the cap surface. Mushrooms contain a high quantity of melanin, a dark brown or black pigment which provides color and helps protect them from harsh environments such as those found in areas of radiation exposure.

June Featured Mushroom Product and Giveaway

As things heat up in Central Texas, we recommend you try the popular functional mushroom, Cordyceps militaris. Cordyceps are used to support: energy, lung health, immune health, adrenal health, and so much more. Known popularly as the “zombie fungus” this species of cordyceps parasitizes moth larvae in the wild and controls the movement of the insect to best disperse the spores. Mushroom Revival, the largest and only certified organic cordyceps militaris mushroom grower in the western world, grows this mushroom on a rice-based substrate. They then extract it with hot water and alcohol to bring out a rich array of cordycepin, adenosine, mannitol, 1,3-1,6 beta-glucans, polysaccharides, and more. 

We also want to welcome Mushroom Revival to Austin! Alex Dorr and the team have recently relocated to Austin from Massachusets. Let's show them all the fungal treasures Austin has to offer! Be sure to follow them, check out their functional mushroom products, and listen to their educational podcast. 

Become a member of CTMS and be entered in a win a supplement of Cordyceps Militaris from Mushroom Revival! (Winner will be announced in July. Drawing will include all CTMS members.)

June Foraging Forecast

If we continue to get persistent rain, we might have a late chanterelle season so don't give up and be sure to wear the mosquito repellant. Keep a lookout for the following mushrooms. 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.