Jeremy G

Blackening Russula? I just don't see it. Its missing too many of the characteristics.

Folks, Found this guy while out chanterelle hunting today in the Cascades of Oregon in an older Dougfir, Hemlock forest; first time spotting these. Tooth fungus, looks like a Hawk's Wing; but the color is a lot darker than in the books.Maybe its older? Any 2nd opinions? BTW, took a little nibble to taste and spit out. Not bitter.

Thanks for the reply. I didn't think Russulas because it didn't have the typical brittleness that we see with a lot of Russulas. Thanks for the ID. I took a small nibble & spit out and its pretty mellow. No real distinguished flavor profile.

Picked in Western Oregon at around 3,500' around a mix of Doug Fir & Spruce. So it kind of smells like a Matsutake, but its missing the partial veil attached to the stem which I remember on previous harvests. So I'm wondering if this is a different variety of of Tricholoma and not murrillianum? Stem is hard...like a typical Matsutake...can't squeeze the thing with all my might 🙂 Just weird I don't see the ring or a partial veil. Thoughts?

The stem is indeed hard - very solid. Smell has the spicy fragrant aroma and unique smell; the aroma is so unique you want to keep smelling it and smelling it because its like no other mushroom. I was 99% sure it was Matsutake...but was looking for that extra re-assurance 🙂 The picture was one of the better ones in the mix. Most were getting pretty old and past their prime. I know where to go next year a little bit earlier 🙂

Hi Folks. Was hiking at 3500' in the Oregon Cascade foothills among Doug Fir, Red Cedar and mix of Alder and Maple and came across these. I think its matsutake mushroom's that are mature...but I've never picked them before, so was hoping for another set of eyes for confirmation. They have a distinctive pine smell. I have not taken a spore print yet... -J

Hi Dave. Ya, it does look like some Suillus specie, but I don't think Suillus tomentosus because my specimen is not bruising blue. Taking a little test nibble and its pretty mild in flavor. -Jeremy

Hi Folks, Any thoughts on the ID of this bolete? It looks like a Suillus of some sort...but not clear on exact ID. Pores underneath are not really staining. If any staining, its just turning tan from the yellow pores. Top was a little sticky when wet - otherwise its smooth. It was picked on the forest floor in the coast range in Oregon at around 700' elevation among hemlock and Doug Fir. Thanks. -Jeremy

Well, I'll have to give them a shot to see if they are compatible with my palate. If not I can give them to my neighbors 😆

Hi Dave, You are right. Brown / dark spore print. So a species Crepidotus is what it looks like. Thanks again - you are amazing and super helpful as always. -J

Willamette Valley Oregon around 350' growing on dead Maple. Darker cap & gills compared to the typical Oysters I see around here. For a Panellus serotinus, I don't see the more-or-less bald "pseudostem" like we saw in previous year samples and the gills seem darker than I remember seeing. Thoughts on the potential id of this?

Hi Folks, Resurrecting this thread from a while back. Another fall comes upon us and there are more Deer mushrooms / Pluteus that are popping up all over the place. The big question is now is on edibility. I see stuff online all over the place from being ok if you caramelize to others saying it takes like radishes no matter what. Any opinions or cooking strategies you've found to make this good table fare? -J

Maybe Bondarzewia berkeleyi https://www.mushroomexpert.com/bondarzewia_berkeleyi.html

Thanks folks for the confirmation. We found a nice little spot that gave us maybe 10lbs of these. We were hunting for chanterelles but stumbled across these guys. Do these spots reproduce each year for Lobsters? Thanks Jeremy

Thanks!