Back to the Eleanor Yarrow Index
This mushroom is one of the smartest parasites on Earth: if you're going to feed on something, it makes sense that it should be as big as possible. Entoloma abortivum parasitizes the Honey Mushroom, otherwise known as The Humongous Fungus, the worlds largest organism, producing the lumpy white masses (easily recognized, but hard to describe) that give it its name. These are hijacked, stunted mushrooms of the Honey Mushroom, being eaten by the Entoloma.
The cap of Entoloma abortivum is steel-grey to brownish grey, often flattening out on top and becoming irregularly shaped as it matures. Another common cap formation is a depressed ring around a central bump. It differs from other Entolomas - - fleshy, ringless terrestrial mushrooms with pink spores - - in having gills that just slightly descend the stalk. Clitopilus prunulus, another edible terrestrial mushroom with pink spores, has a white cap, gills that descend the stalk deeply, and a smell of flour.
Be sure to consult a field guide for aid in identification if you plan to eat this or any other mushroom.
|
|
|
Copyright 1995-2002 COMA. All rights reserved.