Boletes and Chanterelles are out!

Greetings SIMA Blog users.  G Steiner posting:

Check your yards and parking strips.  I found Agaricus campestris today in the parking strip on 9th St at Longfellow school, next to the playground.  The characteristic pink gills were outstanding.  The only camera I had available was on my phone.  Note there is NO yellow staining anywhere.  The end of the stipe did bruise brownish. The common name for this mushroom is the Meadow Mushroom or Pink Bottom.  These are a safe edible if you make sure there is NO yellow staining at the base of the stem and anywhere else you touch the mushroom.

This is a picture of Agaricus xanthoderma which also grows in parking strips this time of the year.  They can have pink gills when young, but there will be bright yellow bruising on the cap and BASE OF THE STEM.  They also smell like railroad ties.  Do not eat these.

If you are heading to the McCall area to check out your favorite Bolete and Chanterelle spots. They are out also.  Word of caution.  Due to the fires along Hwy 55, you may want to take Hwy 95 to New Meadows and then Hwy 55 to McCall and Cascade.  Happy hunting!  Genny Steiner