Summit County Citizens Voice

Late-season monsoon spurs continued growth of local fungi

A classic chanterelle formation growing in pine needle litter amongst mossy rocks in the Snake River Basin, Summit County, Colorado. These were growing so perfectly in their little rock cleft that I didn't have the hear to pick them. Besides, there were plenty more growing free-standing in the pine duff.

SUMMIT COUNTY — I wasn’t really expecting to find much in the way of mushrooms when I took the dogs for a stroll in the upper Snake River Basin Wednesday evening. Rainfall has been somewhat spotty the past few weeks, and with the great profusion of fungi earlier this summer, I assumed that the mushroom season is winding down. In a pleasant surprise, I found several clusters of large chanterelles, one of the tastiest and most desirable wild mushrooms that grows in our area. The best way to describe the flavor is as peppery sweet, with a hint of apricot. They’re great with scrambled eggs, on pizza, pasta or even added to muffins.

This graphic shows that precipitation for the last few weeks has actually been well below average for Summit County, but the rains of the past week helped nurture one final crop of fungi.

As a bonus, chanterelles are almost unmistakeable — there are very few other mushrooms that look anything like it, and definitely no poisonous look-a-likes. So at the risk of alienating the non-mushroom-loving Summit Voice readers, I’m posting one more photo essay on Colorado’s fabulous fungi. They are, after all, a mysterious and critical part of our forest ecosystems.

Sturdy russula are common late in the mushroom season.

Most of Colorado’s trees grow in a symbiotic relationship with fungi species that bond on a cellular level with the roots of those trees. That pairing helps both organisms maximize nutrient uptake and in some cases protects the trees from pathogens. It’s not an exaggeration to say that most of our trees wouldn’t grow nearly as well with their fungal partners. In some cases, they might not grow at all.

This russula was well-disguised on the forest floor.

Pink gills and a brown spore print are key features to identifying edible agaricus species. Some experts recommend staying away from this group of mushrooms, but I have found all local varieties to be edible and delicious. The forest agaricus are in the same genus as store-bought Agaricus bisporus. The best variety has a distinctive anise scent and flavor.

If this isn't called a cauliflower mushroom, it should be!

A young porcini (Boletus edulis) found along Webster Pass Road.

Chanterelle closeup.

From the forest to the frying pan.

Puffball.

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, seasons, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news Tagged: | Colorado fungi, Colorado mushrooms, mushrooms, Summit County Colorado, Summit County mushrooms