John: I found this patch in my yard. I wanted to distinguish between the poisonous Hypholoma fasciculare (sulfur tuft) and the edible Hypholoma capnoides (conifer tuft). As you can see in the photos, they are clustered, small and without rings, even when young. The top is not slimy. The spore print was purple brown. After getting this far, I felt I could use the taste test. The taste was mild. It would seem to me that I have one of Paul Stamets' favorite edibles, Hypholoma capnoides. Anyone else want to weigh in?
Sava: If the taste is mild, it's not H. fasciculare; that thing is definitely bitter if you keep it in your mouth for a minute, say. The cap color also suggests the capnoides. There is also a smoky grey color of the gills in the capnoides, which doesn't show in the pictures, but you can check.
John: The spore print was purple/brown, so I think it's correct. The poisonous one is yellower (word?) also. I found some Doug fir branches that I jammed in underneath it so it will have something to grow on until I find some more. Then maybe I'll eat some next year.
Do offer some comments: Message will go to Elmer
Type your message in the box below and include your name
