Emma Wilson
Flagstaff, Arizona, is known for its picturesque landscapes and dynamic seasons, and its lush forests and moist climate make it a haven for a wide variety of mushrooms. The area is particularly famous for its lobster mushrooms, which are highly sought after for their distinctive seafood-like flavor. However, it is important to exercise caution when hunting mushrooms, as some varieties can be poisonous.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Flagstaff, Arizona |
| Elevation | 7,000 feet |
| Climate | Moist |
| Landscape | Picturesque |
| Mushroom types | Lobster, Russula, Barrows Bolete, White Porcini, Morel, Amanitas, Hypomyces, Boletes, Fly Agaric, Shagggy Scalycap, Artist's Conk, Suillus Kaibabensis, White King Bolete, Matte Jack, Spring Polypore, Lentinus, Floccularia Albolanaripes, Rocky Mountain Red |
| Mushroom hunting locations | Ponderosa pine forest, Coconino National Forest, Railroad Springs, San Francisco Peaks |
| Mushroom hunting season | Summer monsoon season, Spring |
| Mushroom hunting tips | Use field guide books to identify mushrooms, be aware of surroundings and conditions of foraging sites |
| Mushroom foraging risks | Poisonous mushrooms, falling trees and branches |
| Mushroom appreciation groups | Arizona Mushroom Society |
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What You'll Learn
Lobster mushrooms are abundant in Flagstaff after rainfall
Flagstaff is known for its abundance of mushrooms, with the area housing the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the United States. The region experiences a wet season during the summer monsoon, which leads to a proliferation of mushrooms in the surrounding woods. Lobster mushrooms, in particular, thrive in these conditions and are a favourite among foragers.
Lobster mushrooms, scientifically known as Hypomyces lactifluorum, are easily identifiable by their distinctive appearance and colour. They are characterised by their deep orange hue, reminiscent of cooked crab fascia, and their meaty folds that cup upward out of the pine needles. This unique colouring sets them apart from other mushrooms in the forest. Their distinctiveness makes them a relatively safe option for foragers, as they do not closely resemble any poisonous varieties.
Lobster mushrooms are parasitic fungi that invade other mushrooms, particularly the Russula brevipes, a large white mushroom found in the region. The lobster fungus consumes the DNA of the host mushroom, resulting in a complete transformation of its texture, taste, and appearance. The infected Russula brevipes loses its gills and becomes a bright orange, solid mushroom with a unique flavour that is highly prized by foragers.
The abundance of lobster mushrooms in Flagstaff is closely linked to the rainfall in the region. Foragers eagerly anticipate the wet monsoon season, as it promises a bountiful harvest of these distinctive fungi. The combination of rain and the right temperature creates the ideal conditions for lobster mushrooms to flourish. The hills behind Railroad Springs, located near the ponderosa pine forest, are a particularly popular spot for foragers in search of lobster mushrooms.
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The Arizona Mushroom Society organises an annual Fungi Foray event
The society, a non-profit organisation, is the state affiliate of the North American Mycological Association. It offers a range of forays, educational meetings, dinners, and other events catering to both novice and experienced mushroom enthusiasts. The society's annual Fungi Foray event is a highlight, providing a unique opportunity to explore Arizona's hidden culinary delights.
The event typically takes place in August, coinciding with the peak mushroom foraging season in northern Arizona. After the summer monsoon rains, the mountains of Arizona burst into life, presenting an unexpected array of fungi. The specific location varies, with past events held in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona and The Arboretum in Flagstaff, a city known for its proximity to notable peaks and pine forests.
Attendees can expect a full itinerary, including small-group wild mushroom forays, culinary demonstrations, and workshops. Guided by local experts, participants learn to identify, collect, and prepare mushrooms, gaining a deeper understanding of Arizona's diverse fungi. The event also emphasises the culinary delights of mushrooms, with renowned chefs crafting multi-course meals that showcase the versatility and flavour of locally foraged mushrooms.
The Arizona Mushroom Society's annual Fungi Foray offers a distinctive experience, combining nature, education, and gastronomy. It invites participants to discover the surprises that lie within Arizona's mountainous landscapes, challenging preconceived notions about the state's culinary offerings. By participating in this event, attendees can develop a deeper appreciation for the region's unique mushrooms and their culinary and medicinal properties.
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Morels are one of the highest mushroom sources of vitamin D
While mushrooms are often valued for their culinary and medicinal properties, plant-based foods tend to lack vitamin D. However, morels are an exception, as they are one of the highest mushroom sources of vitamin D. According to the Healthy Eating website, consuming a cup of raw morel mushrooms can provide approximately 22% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin D. Morel mushrooms have a distinctive cap with a spongy, dimpled oblong shape. They typically grow in the spring, at elevations higher than 6,000 feet, in warm and wet regions. Fire also plays a crucial role in their growth, as they often thrive in areas that have experienced forest fires.
Morel hunting can be a rewarding activity in Flagstaff, Arizona, particularly after a wet season. The Arizona Mushroom Society organizes an annual Fungi Foray at The Arboretum in August, providing an excellent opportunity for enthusiasts to learn and connect. In addition to morels, other edible mushrooms that can be found in Flagstaff include lobster, oyster, bolete, and agaricus. These species can be spotted in various locations, such as the hills behind Railroad Springs and the ponderosa pine forest.
It is important to note that proper mushroom identification is crucial for safety. Field guide books and local expertise can be invaluable tools for those interested in mushroom hunting. While vitamin D is predominantly associated with animal-based foods like oily fish, mushrooms like morels offer a valuable plant-based alternative. This makes them especially beneficial for vegans and vegetarians seeking non-animal sources of this essential nutrient.
The vitamin D content in mushrooms can be enhanced through deliberate exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from sunlight or a UV lamp. This process triggers the production of vitamin D2, a form unique to plants. The amount of vitamin D2 generated depends on various factors, including exposure time, season, latitude, and weather conditions. Sliced mushrooms exposed to sunlight at midday in mid-summer in Germany, for example, reached a vitamin D2 content of 32.5 μg/100 g FW after an hour of exposure.
While cooking mushrooms in water does not significantly impact their vitamin D content, cooking them in fat, such as oils, can cause the vitamin to leach out due to its fat-soluble nature. Therefore, consuming freshly picked morel mushrooms in Flagstaff, Arizona, or other vitamin D-rich mushroom varieties, can be an excellent way to boost your vitamin D intake directly from the source.
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Mycology is a course offered at Northern Arizona University
Mycology is indeed a course offered at Northern Arizona University (NAU), which sits on the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau in Flagstaff, Arizona. The course code for the mycology class is BIO 411.
Mycology is the study of the genetic and biochemical properties of fungi and how they are classified. It also examines the poisonous, infectious, edible, and entheogenic properties of fungi, which are the psychoactive properties used to induce spiritual experiences.
The NAU mycology course offers students an explicit opportunity to develop introductory skills and knowledge of fungi. As NAU mycology professor Catherine Gehring explains:
> "The class itself will talk all about fungi — so fungi that are important to humans and producing beer, bread, and soy sauce, and there are fungi involved in industry. There is fungi that cause diseases of plants."
Students in Gehring's mycology class collect various mushrooms in the genuses Amanita, Hypomyces, and Boletes. Flagstaff, where NAU is located, is an ideal place to study mycology, as it is known for its diverse mushroom species. The city sits at around 7,000 feet in elevation, along the western side of the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the United States. This forest is home to a variety of mushrooms, including lobster, russula, oyster, bolete, and agaricus.
The Flagstaff Arboretum, located within the city, even features a mushroom garden. Additionally, the Arizona Mushroom Society, which holds an annual Fungi Foray at The Arboretum in August, serves as a valuable resource for those interested in mycology and mushroom foraging in Flagstaff.
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The Amanita Muscaria mushroom has psychoactive properties
While there is no explicit mention of Amanita Muscaria mushrooms in Flagstaff, Arizona, there are indeed mushrooms in the area. Flagstaff sits at around 7,000 feet in elevation on the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau. It is also part of the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the United States.
The Amanita Muscaria mushroom, also known as "fly agaric", is a large, white-spotted mushroom with a bright red cap. It is one of the most recognisable fungi in the world. This species of mushroom is native to the Northern Hemisphere's temperate and boreal forests, and it has now spread to the Southern Hemisphere. It is often found in large forests under the boughs of trees such as birches, pines, spruces, firs, and larches.
The Amanita Muscaria mushroom has long been recognised for its psychoactive properties. It contains psychoactive compounds such as ibotenic acid and muscimol, which can induce effects similar to alcohol intoxication, including hallucinations and altered states of consciousness. The active dose in adults is approximately 6 mg of muscimol or 30 to 60 mg of ibotenic acid, which is typically the amount found in one cap of the mushroom. Drying the mushroom converts ibotenic acid into muscimol, reducing toxicity while maintaining the psychoactive effects. Amanita Muscaria has about ten times more ibotenic acid than muscimol, and when ingested, individuals typically report confusion, agitation, and euphoria.
Amanita Muscaria has been used for medicinal and recreational purposes by various cultures throughout history. For example, the Finnish historian T. I. Itkonen mentions that the Sami people used it, and sorcerers in Inari would consume the mushroom with seven spots. In Afghanistan, a Parachi-speaking group has been documented to use it for medicinal and recreational purposes. Indigenous peoples of Siberia also used Amanita Muscaria as an inebriant and entheogen. In addition, Amanita Muscaria has been linked to various cultural references, including Santa Claus, Viking berserkers, Vedic soma, and early Christianity, although evidence for these links is sparse and disputed.
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Frequently asked questions
Many types of mushrooms grow in Flagstaff, including lobster, bolete, and agaricus. Other types include morel, Suillus kaibabensis, and fly agaric.
Mushrooms in Flagstaff typically grow during the summer monsoon season. However, some types of mushrooms, such as morels, grow in the spring.
Mushrooms can be found in the forests around Flagstaff, including the Ponderosa pine forests and the Coconino National Forest. Specific locations include the hills behind Railroad Springs and the San Francisco Peaks.
Yes, it is important to be aware of your surroundings when mushroom hunting, as there are some poisonous mushrooms in the area. Additionally, falling trees and branches can pose a danger.
