The Edible Wild

November 21, 2009

20091121 – Saturday - The Edible Wild

Photographer: Rick Stankiewicz
Summary Author:
Rick Stankiewicz

November 2009 Earth Science Picture of the Day Viewer's ChoiceEarly this fall, as I walked through a wooded area south of Peterborough, Ontario, looking for giant puffballs, my favorite fall fungus, I found an even rarer treat: Bear's-head Tooth (Hericium americanum). Before plucking it, I snapped a picture of this photogenic edible fungus, which is also known as the Waterfall Hydnum for obvious reasons. This spectacular specimen was approximately 6 inches square (39 sq cm) in size. Here in southern Ontario, you can find Bear's Head Tooth in hardwood stands from about August to November. This one was growing on an old fallen beech tree log.  When this fungus is nice and white, and of firm texture, they're just right for frying. Slow sautéing in butter and garlic yields a pleasant mild taste. Of course, when collecting wild fungi, make sure you can confidently identify what you're looking for as a number of species are poisonous and can be fatal. Photo taken on September 30, 2009.

Peterborough, Ontario Coordinates: 44.3, -78.316667

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