Tag Archives: Boletus edulis

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The storm that dumped three inches of rain on the Mendonoma Coast in late June has brought a mushroom bloom. You saw Irma Brandt's Shrimp Russulas. Now take a peek at the six Boletus edulis Paul Kozal found this past week.

These choice, edible mushrooms are usually found in the autumn, most years around Thanksgiving. I wonder what will happen this fall.

Paul has affinity for mushrooms and takes lovely photos of them, some of which are displayed at his gallery, Studio 391, in Gualala. To see more of Paul's photography, here is his website: http://www.paulkozal.com/

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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Jane Jarlsberg found these Oyster Mushrooms the day before Thanksgiving. She brought them to a friend's home to add to the celebratory feast. They are exceptionally frilly for Oysters but no less delicious.

Yesterday Rick and I found two beautiful King Boletes, Boletus edulis. You can see the sponge underneath the cap is still white, indicating it fruited recently. With age the sponge turns yellow.

And this morning, under threatening skies, we found a small Queen Boletus, Boletus aereus. The very dark top was nearly munched off, perhaps by a Deer. But the stem was sturdy and pristine. Fresh mushroom for the Jackson household tonight!

Thanks to Jane for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

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Thea Leonardi went mushroom foraging this week and found a dozen or so King Boletes. Her cat, Mendo, was quite interested in the aromatic mushroom.

 Thea calls Mendo "The Beast." Perhaps he's smiling in approval...

 It is tiring tromping around the woods looking for mushrooms. Time for a rest.

Thanks to Thea for allowing me to share her photos with you here. The rains headed our way should prompt a big bloom of Boletes very soon.

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Gray Whales have been seen most days this past week. It looks like the southward migration has already begun. On Thursday Rick and I took a hike at Gualala Point Regional Park and were rewarded with the sighting of a pod of perhaps six whales. They were just west of Gualala Point Island, the rocky island you can see in the left side of this photo. There are two spouts on the right side.

And then we found our first Boletus edulis, a King Bolete, yesterday.

One of the most delicious edible mushrooms on the Mendonoma Coast, they are always a treat to find.

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Queen Boletes, Boletus aereus, fruited in profusion on Friday. A friend, Rick and I found five perfect mushrooms. They are delicious! The ones on our property in Anchor Bay are growing near Tanoaks and mixed conifers. David Arora writes in "Mushrooms Demystified" that they are found in mixed woods and under hardwoods.

Many people confuse these with King Boletes, Boletus edulis, and it really doesn't matter - they are both choice edible mushrooms. They are gifts in the forest. Here's a link to a photo of the biggest King Bolete I've ever seen: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/10/17/the-biggest-king-bolete-ive-ever-seen-was-found-in-the-manchester-area-a-few-days-ago/