Mushrooms. Fungi. Fantastic foodstuff or forest fodder? Are some mushrooms really the “Food of the Gods”, responsible for the spark that began the evolutionary track from primate to human as ethnobotanist Terrence McKenna has suggested? Perhaps they are what some consider to be the World’s Largest Organism? A specimen found in Oregon actually measures a whopping 2200 acres in area - that’s about 140,000 Vancouver-sized one-bedroom condos! Or maybe mushrooms are just tasty morsels and nothing more?
Diverging viewpoints can battle it out amongst the fungal elite with a visit to Vancouver Mycological Society’s Annual Mushroom Show this weekend.
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Now in it’s 32nd year, this version of a show’n’shine for mushroom lovers is held at VanDusen Botanical Garden on Sunday, October 28. Local experts from the society will be on hand to identify that wacky ’shroom that popped up in a fairy ring near your last campsite. There will be culinary lessons and suggestions for making the most of your outrageously named fungus.
Learn how to identify and harvest exotic sounding mushrooms like the Wood Woollyfoot (beware), Shaggy Parasol (tasty), the dangerous Death Cap, the exciting Liberty Cap or the bizarre Strawberries & Cream.
Take “Chicken of the Woods” for example. This mushroom, also known as Sulfur Shelf, is found on the sides of trees and generally looks like a series of steps to climb up on. You’d normally pass it by. However, slice it into thin strips, saute with some onion and you’ve got the makings for an incredible “Chicken” Fajita. Mmm…good!
According to “Common Mushrooms of the Northwest” by J. Duane Sept, our little neck-of-the-woods is home to more than 15,000 species with varying degrees of usefulness. Besides food, local mushrooms are used in homeopathic treatments for nervous afflictions and alcoholism, some are natural insecticides, and one even contains the key chemical ingredient to make rocket fuel. Now that is magical!
The show runs 11am - 4pm in the Floral Hall (West 37th & Oak) and costs $3 to get in.
Photo by .kaishin. from the BR Flickr Pool.
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