The drought conditions have spread into our area and we can note the effects on mushroom fruitings. In the main, our findings have been limited to Russula species with their variety of cap colors; red, yellow, greenish and brown.  We have to look to understory logs that still hold some moisture and allow for growth of shelf fungi.

One of these decomposers, Tyromyces chioneus has been spreading and developing along a downed aspen in our woods.  It has produced several  thick, white shelves that range along the large, downed trunk. The flesh of this fruiting is not woody, but instead soft, moist and pliable. This texture and its color have earned the fungus  the common name, White Cheese Polypore. A few other shelf fungi are showing up, most with leathery or woody character, but also an occasional Chicken of the Woods.

The Chestnut Boletes have begun their yearly fruiting in my yard. Their caps are an intense orange-brown  with contrasting cream- white pore surface. Stems are chestnut brown. These mushrooms are delicious fresh and can also be lightly sautéed and  frozen for later use.  

Just in the past day, we have been finding a number of different Amanitas, including A. fulva, A. muscaria, A. citrina  and A. flavoconia.  Mostly not good to eat, just pretty to look at.  On my morning runs, I have found a scattering of Gem-Studded Puffballs along the trail.  A few Chestnut Boletes have been popping up in my mom's yard.  Not enough to make a meal yet, though:)

  Quite a few species of mushrooms are beginning to fruit.  In the  area above the river  near my home there are red and orange-capped Russulas, Fawn mushrooms (Pluteus cervinus) on birch logs and  gatherings of the small, cream-colored Fairy Ring mushrooms. ( Marasmias oreades).  On walks in the woods, we’ve seen of the Bitter Bolete (Tylopolus felleus)  perched on a decaying stump. Some troops of Alcohol  Inkies (Coprinus atromentarius) have appeared and, as they do, quickly declined into black slimy masses. Just now, members also  report gathering Chanterelles.