Comb/Branched Hericium / Hericium ramosum

I'm not sure if this is how this fungus always looks or if it was past its prime. I wanted to post it for my records. It was several inches across and was growing quite high up the tree. There was also another much smaller patch of it growing nearer the base of the tree. Somehow, I just can't imagine eating this fungus, but according to Wikipedia, it is edible. We have seen several Eastern Europeans picking many Hericium fungi to take home for cooking. Of course, mushroom picking is not allowed in any of the parks!

"Hericium is a genus of edible mushrooms in the Hericiaceae family. Species in this genus are white and fleshy and grow on dead or dying wood; fruiting bodies resemble a mass of fragile icicle-like spines that are suspended from either a branched supporting framework or from a tough, unbranched cushion of tissue. This distinctive structure has earned Hericium species a variety of common names—monkey's head, lion's mane, and bear's head are examples. Taxonomically, this genus was previously placed within the order Aphyllophorales, but recent molecular studies now place it in the Russulales. Hericium means hedgehog in Latin."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hericium

"Fruit body a mass of white, long, multiple branched stems covered with large numbers of very small spines. Whole fungus 10-25cm across, 10-15cm high; stems thin, branched, covered on both sides with spines 0.5-1cm long. Flesh soft, brittle; white. Odor pleasant. Taste pleasant. Spores ellipsoid, smooth to finely roughened, 3-5 x 3-4µ. Deposit white. Habitat on fallen logs of beech and maple. Found throughout North America. Season August-October. Edible-good. Comment Easily distinguished from the rather similar Hericium coralloides by its much shorter spines growing along the whole length of the thin branches." From Rogers Mushrooms.

www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~6108~gid...

On 3 September 2016, we had a fungi morning, which was quite rewarding and definitely fun. Our leader and friend, Karel, is very knowledgeable about fungi and he took 14 of us (plus Karel's two beautiful Beagles) on a foray to West Bragg Creek, maybe an hour's drive west of the city. We had been here a few times over the years, either looking for fungi or on botany outings.

Photographing our findings usually means that I am way at the back of the group or have fallen back with a friend or two. Consequently, the mushrooms have often already been plucked/cut by the time we catch up to the rest of the participants. I also miss a lot of what is being said about IDs and details. It would take far too long to write down the name of each find - each photo taken would have to be carefully numbered so that the right name could be attached and this would be such a hassle when out with a group. Since this outing, Karel has sent an email containing several photos along with IDs. The rest of my photos will have to be just nameless 'pretty pictures' : ) I must add here that any IDs that I give are always tentative, as I know so little about fungi. Another thing to add is that I never, ever pick and eat wild mushrooms!! Too many look similar, some edible, others poisonous. If you are not a fungi expert, never take the risk of eating any of them.

I met up with friend, Sandy, at 8:15 am and she drove us out to the meeting place. Our morning walk started off by going across the small bridge not far from the parking lot, then part way up the hill and then bush-whacking our way through the forest. This walk, which ended around lunch time, was the main one, but we did stop at a small, gravel parking area a few minutes along the main road, to do a second walk to check for any different mushrooms. This extra walk has yielded a few beauties in past years. Perhaps the most interesting find was a very small twig that had several tiny, turquoise coloured fungi cups on it. The colour looks so out of place in a natural area. My photos of them did not turn out very well, but I did post one of them a few days ago, just for the very unusual colour.

From here, a few of us stopped at the Cinnamon Spoon cafe in Bragg Creek for lunch. Always a most enjoyable way to finish any outing. Before we climbed into the car for our return drive to Calgary, Sandy and I wandered into the beautiful Art Gallery, owned and run by Bob and Candy Cook. Named Branded Visuals Inc.(Printing Services/Wildlife Gallery), this small store is overflowing with Bob's absolutely amazing photographic works of art. Thanks so much, Bob and Candy, for remembering our chance meeting a number of years ago, down in Fish Creek Park, and for your overly generous words about my own photography.

www.brandedvisuals.com/index.html

Thanks so much, Karel, for giving us a great morning! We really appreciate your passing on your knowledge to us. The same thanks go to Suzanne, the mushroom specialist in Calgary. Sandy, really appreciate the ride there and back!