aborted entoloma (Entoloma abortivum) near Vernon Springs IA 653A6777
These strange mushrooms have a sensational story to tell. The normal form of E. abortivum can be seen in those two mushrooms with beige caps in the lower right. Since there are several similar Entoloma species that can do you great bodily harm, you don't dare eat these. However, another mushroom in the neighborhood known as the honey mushroom (Armillaria mellea), attacks and invades the Entoloma mycelium, eventually deforming and destroying the emerging fruiting forms. Those awful-looking aborted forms that resemble large spongy pieces of popcorn are actually edible and I consider them to be one of the finest fungal delicacies in the forest! In fact, they are commonly called the shrimp of the woods, for good cause.
aborted entoloma (Entoloma abortivum) near Vernon Springs IA 653A6777
These strange mushrooms have a sensational story to tell. The normal form of E. abortivum can be seen in those two mushrooms with beige caps in the lower right. Since there are several similar Entoloma species that can do you great bodily harm, you don't dare eat these. However, another mushroom in the neighborhood known as the honey mushroom (Armillaria mellea), attacks and invades the Entoloma mycelium, eventually deforming and destroying the emerging fruiting forms. Those awful-looking aborted forms that resemble large spongy pieces of popcorn are actually edible and I consider them to be one of the finest fungal delicacies in the forest! In fact, they are commonly called the shrimp of the woods, for good cause.