Although I was almost hibernating during a couple of stormy days, I felt invigorated upon waking up to a beautiful, warm, and bright day.
So off to the woodland this morning for a fungi hunt for this beautiful by
and to all fungi friends!
Off to the woodland today.
This attractive white thing caught my attention, thinking it was a young mushroom.
Imagine my surprise when I realized it wasn't a mushroom but a wood pigeon eggshell!
Ok, I didn't lose hope.
I searched further, and I saw the following
A family of Deceiver mushrooms.
Eww theres something on my neck! :)
This looks like a frillly umbrella.
I am prettier than the berries.
(
The deceiver mushrooms can vary significantly in appearance, making them somewhat tricky to identify. This variability is one of the reasons behind their common name, as they can "deceive" those trying to identify them. They are edible, but they are not recommended for an inexperienced forager. They have a very mild taste and can be chewy. I find that lacto fermenting them improves the flavor profile.
A bit further, there are loads of Fiery mushrooms!
I am glowing! Fiery indeed.
My mouth was on fire as I tasted its milk.
Mushrooms from the lactariaceae family exude milky latex when cut.
Omp! I am squashed. And get that thing on me!
I am a baby one.
Oh, I'm perked up!
Too shy!
I dressed up in white!
Fiery mushrooms are beautiful and amazingly spicy. they are not poisonous but due to their intense spiciness and potential to cause gastrointestinal upset, they are considered inedible, although some regions eat them.
A “Fire Mushroom” is mentioned on the Official Niffelheim Wiki, which is considered edible. It provides a bonus of +5 Health and +5% Damage Resistance when consumed. Additionally, it can be used to craft items (fiction items not in real life).
Besides these Fiery mushrooms, the following were growing under the ivy.
Am I underwater?
These are called Gray Coral
A bit further were these cuplike mushrooms! They are called the Toothed Cupan uncommon fungus, and I am pleased to see them.
Then I found this pile of wood with some lichen, Ramalina fastigiate, farinachea, and more growing on it.
I picked a few to distill and used them as an ingredient in my deodorant and perfume. Ramalinas contain usnic acid, an effective antimicrobial that imparts a beautiful scent when distilled. Some companies use them in perfumery.
On my way home, I spotted this by the roadside. It has been chomped and created a little window.
It is called Pale Brittlestem
It was a long fungi hunt, and I ended up covered in sticky weeds and stung all over by nettles. Despite that, I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure.
I immersed myself beautifully in nature and found comfort at home with a basket full of treasures. Inside, I have some fiery mushrooms for spore printing and experimentation and a few for craft projects. The Ramalinas will be distilled to enhance my deodorant formula, as their antibacterial properties and pleasant scent are ideal.
Have a wonderful FungiFriday, everyone!
Mariah 🍄💗