Website of the Central New York Mycological Society
APRIL 2004
Jean O. Fahey- Editor
April Awakening !
The Scarlet cups herald
the beginning of spring
With the leeks and the lilies galore
And sometime in April
There begins to appear
Dryad's Saddle, the first polypore.
We really kicked the season off to fabulous start this year with a program
by Dr. Alex Weir. He presented "The Ten Weirdest Fungi" to a
packed room full of CNYMS members and left us dying to know more! Thanks
Dr. Weir! It was truly a 'fun'gal experience!
The leeks and the Trout Lilies are up out in the woods and I have found scarlet cups. The
Morchella semilibera will be poking their pointy little heads up through the leaves soon
and the real Morels will follow. We hope you will join us in our search for the early
Black morels at the Rand Tract on the 25th and at the meeting on the 19th, where Jean
promises to show you some lovely morels all cooked and ready for you to experience.
Click Here to see all the events we hope to see you at.
See you the 19th and the 25th!
Jean and Bernie
MYCOPHAGY CORNER
Monkey's
Head Fungus, Chicken and Pea Soup
Mushroom of the Month
Lion's Mane- Hericium erinaceus
A type of tree mushroom that has been used traditionally in China and Japan for
hundreds of years, known also as monkey's head and bear's head.
Studies done primarily in Asia confirm many of its traditional uses, supporting the
cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure and serum cholesterol, strengthening the
respiratory system, and acting as a tonic for the nervous system. Some of the mushroom's
most promising (and surprising) benefits include possibly being able to stimulate nerve
growth factor, which may help inhibit brain dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's
disease. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses the Lion's Mane as a whole body tonic to
improve overall strength and as a digestive tonic for indigestion and constipation.
Hericium is commonly found throughout most of North America. In addition to being
incredibly good for you, they are also delicious. Baked or broiled and brushed with melted
butter, they are reminiscent of lobster tails.
An excerpt from " Mushroom" by Johnny Acton and Nick Sandler;
Mushroom hunting awakens instincts most of us have forgotten we possessed. Our vision and
sense of smell sharpen, and the adrenalin starts to flow. We begin to find ourselves
mysteriously drawn to look in one place rather than another by a force we cannot begin to
understand, but whose tug is irresistible. More often than not, it is right. In foraging
for mushrooms, we plug straight into our inner Hunter-gatherer.
Although some cultures are undoubtedly more attuned to searching for fungi than others, we
reckon the mushrooming instinct is innate. All that is needed is to find a way to access
it. There is a lot to be said for strategic hunting-that is to say, going by the book in
terms of where you look for what (particularly with mushrooms that are linked with
particular tree species), and when. But the best method is simply to get into the habit of
walking around with this one thought firmly in mind: "Now, where are the
mushrooms?" Because you can bet your bottom dollar they're out there somewhere.
As time goes by, you will start to get a feel of what tends to grow where, and in what
conditions. The accent is on the "tend", as mushrooms are much too free-spirited
to always obey the rules. But you will gradually start to catch yourself thinking
"mmm, this could be good Morel territory"… This means you are starting to
develop the all-important sixth sense.
Book Raffle
"Black Mold: Your Health and Your
Home" by Richard Progovitz, who is our speaker for the June 21st meeting. Win it
before you can buy it! We’ll raffle it off at our April meeting for everyone whose
dues are current. If your mailing label doesn’t say 2004, then it is time to send $10
for dues.
BOOKS FOR SALE: We are offering to paid members the opportunity to own
the fabulous cookbook "Mushroom" by Johnny Acton and Nick Sandler for only $16!
This book is available from Fungi Perfectii for $29.95 plus shipping, so don't miss your
chance to get in on this 'members only' deal.
Your membership entitles you to: The CNYMS Newsletter, Eight monthly
CNYMS meetings and programs, Free participation in CNYMS forays, and special discounts on
CNYMS sponsored merchandise!!! If you have a mailing label that says 2002 then you
need to send us $20. If you are delinquent back to 2002, you will not receive any more
newsletters until all back dues are paid! If you’ve paid and the date isn’t
right, contact RickColvin (treasurer) 635-8078 or rcolvin@twcny.rr.com
Got any recipes, stories or info to share?
In the interest of science, as well as for the love of fungi, send your list or
interesting findings to Jean at "mushroom@zhighway.net"
or 445-1463.
Jean O. Fahey- Editor
Any questions or input for newsletters contact:
Jean Fahey (Club mycophagist and editor)
232 Edgemont Dr. Syracuse, NY 13214 445-1463
Or Bernie Carr (chairperson) 210 Parrish Lane, Syracuse, NY 13205 469-9379.
Don’t miss out by not staying current on your dues. If you
don’t remember when you last paid, send your $10 dues made out to CNYMS to
Rick Colvin (treasurer) 1948 Conners Rd., Baldwinsville, NY 13027.
Bernie Carr, Chair
Central New York Mycological Society
469-9379
"bcarr@zhighway.net"
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