Yesterday's foray was conducted in Annett State Reservation in Rindge. Again we faced the consequences of persisting region-wide dryness. This site often features hedgehog mushrooms this time of year, but not this time. As in past forays, we did find edibles like matsutake (Tricholoma magnivelare), sooty wax cap (Hygrophorus fuligineus), dotted stalk suillus/butterball (S. weaverae), and late oyster (Sarcomyxa serotina), though not in abundance, as well as chaga (on black birch). Perhaps these fruiting soon will be more generous, given the rain that appeared later that day and that is forcast to continue for much of this week. Other interesting finds included a large eruption of trembling crust (Phlebia/Merulius tremellosa) as well as of sharp-scaly pholiota. The site features an unusually high concentration of blueberry bushes with witch's brooms on the shore of Black Pond. These brooms are induced by the fungal rust Puccinastrum goeppertianum, for which balsam firs serve as alternate host. Thanks to Tom, Lori and Pat for assisting with this outing and dispensing culinary tips.

--George

 

MMC Foray species list Annett Forest Oct 12, 2025

 

Amanita lavendulan/citrina FALSE DEATH CAP/LAVENDAR-STAINED AMANITA

Chlorociboria sp. GREEN STAIN

Crepidotus applanatus FLAT CREP

Fomes fomentarius/excavatus TINDER POLYPORE/HOOF FUNGUS

Fomitopsis betulina BIRCH POLYPORE

Fomitopsis/Niveoporofomes spraguei GREEN CHEESE POLYPORE

Galerina marginata FUNERAL BELL

Ganoderma tsugae HEMLOCK VARNISH CONK/REISHI

Hygrophorus fuligineus SOOTY WAXCAP

Hypoxylon fragiforme group BEECH WOODWART

Inonotus obliquus CHAGA

Leccinum “scabrum” group BROWN BIRCH BOLETE

Lycogala epidendrum WOLF’S MILK (slime mold)

Lycoperdon/Apioperdon pyriforme PEAR-SHAPED PUFFBALL

Panellus stipticus LUMINESCENT PANELLUS

Phlebia/Merulius tremellosa TREMBLING CRUST

Pholiota sqarrosa vs. squarrosoides SHARP-SCALY PHOLIOTA

Pucciniastrum goeppertianum BLUEBERRY WITCH’S BROOM FUNGUS

Rigidoporus/Oxyporus populinus MOSSY MAPLE POLYPORE

Russula spp. red, pink, purple, gray RUSSULAS/BRITTLEGILLS

Sarcomyxa serotina LATE OYSTER

Stereum complicatum CROWDED PARCHMENT

Suillus weaverae aka granulatus BUTTERBALL/WEEPING BOLETE

Trichaptum biforme VIOLET-TOOTHED POLYPORE

Tricholoma “terreum” group GRAY KNIGHT

Tricholoma magnivelare EASTERN NORTH AMERICAN MATSUTAKE

Yesterday's foray on a windless, warm and sunny day at Meetinghouse Pond in Marlborough NH offered the opportunity to acknowledge the good sense of some fungal genera for opting not to fruit during historic drought conditions. Notable for their absence were hedgehogs, amanitas, russulas, honeys, chickens, hens, scalycaps and stinkhorns. Notable finds included matsutakes in sub-prime condition, exuberant green cheese polypores, a large jelly tooth (Pseudohydnum gelatinosum), emerging fall oysters (Sarcomyxa serotina) in good edible shape, a graceful bolete (Australoboletus gracilis), and an ash-tree bolete (Boletinellus meruloides). The latter two fungi were our only boletes. The pond, fall foliage, and birdlife were spectacular--making for a nice walk in the woods. Bring on the rain!

George

Species list for MMC Meetinghouse Pond Foray Oct 5, 2025

 

Austroboletus gracilis GRACEFUL BOLETE

Boletinellus merulioides ASH-TREE BOLETE

Bondarzewia berkeleyi BERKELEY’S POLYPORE 

Chlorociboria sp. GREEN STAIN

Daedaleopsis confragosa BLUSHING BRACKET/MAZE POLYPORE

Fomes fomentarius/excavatus TINDER POLYPORE/HOOF FUNGUS

Fomitopsis betulina BIRCH POLYPORE

Fomitopsis/Niveoporofomes spraguei GREEN CHEESE POLYPORE

Galerina marginata FUNERAL BELL

Ganoderma applanatum ARTIST’S CONK

Ganoderma tsugae HEMLOCK VARNISH CONK/REISHI

Hypoxylon fragiforme group BEECH WOODWART

Laccaria laccata DECEIVER

Lactarius glyciosmus COCONUT MILKY

Lycogala epidendrum WOLF’S MILK (slime mold)

Lycoperdon/Apioperdon pyriforme PEAR-SHAPED PUFFBALL

Mycena sp. 

Pluteus cervinus group DEER MUSHROOM

Pseudohydnum gelatinosum JELLY TOOTH/CAT’S TONGUE

Sarcomyxa serotina LATE OYSTER

Stereum complicatum CROWDED PARCHMENT

Trametes versicolor TURKEY TAIL

Trichaptum biforme VIOLET-TOOTHED POLYPORE

Tricholoma magnivelare MATSUTAKE

Tyromyces chioneus WHITE CHEESE POLYPORE