Here, I am presenting some of my favorite edible mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest. Information provided, i.e. for habitat and seasonality apply to the Pacific Northwest from a Seattle perspective. [Please do not rely on my descriptions and my photos for identification. In case you are not familiar with a mushroom ask somebody who has survived his or her fungal forays and is familiar with the species you are intending to consume. ] A virtual misidentification can have real consequences....
Verpa bohemica  (Krombh.) J. Schroet.  Early Morel or Early False Morel [synon. Ptychoverpa bohemica (Krombh.) Boud] © Daniel Winkler, Kirkland WA, April 19, 2008
I have been eating Verpas since many years and always enjoyed them without any ill effects. Please note some people get unpleasant reactions, such as gastro-intestinal upset or muscular discoordination after eating Verpa bohemica. Thorough cooking is absolutely necessary, some people parboil them before consuming. Overindulging seems to be a bad idea. © Daniel Winkler, Kirkland, King County WA, April 19, 2008 A nest of Verpas on the base of a black cotton wood in Redmond Watershed Park. © Daniel Winkler, Redmond, King County WA, April 23, 2008	In the Pacific Northwest Verpa bohemica often grows in symbioses with Black cottonwoods (Populus trichocarpa or P. balsamifera subsp. trichocarpa). It is easy to time the fruiting of Verpas since it coincides with the flowering of North America's biggest deciduous tree. Its flowering is widely advertised by its sweet smell. Below the stem of the left Verpa are fallen catkins and bud leaves, which are covered by an aromatic and sticky gum, which had many traditional uses by native people. Spring morels (Verpa bohemica) are easily distinguished from true morels (Morchella spp.). The cap of spring morels hangs completely free of the stem. It is only attached at the top, hence another common name "thimble morel". The stem of true morels is completely fused with cap; the whole mushroom is hollow. Also the stem of spring morels has a cottony stuffing, which is absent in morels. A Puget Sound garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii) sun bathing on an otherwise cool spring day (thanks Bonnie fir IDying this Garter snake). © Daniel Winkler, Redmond, King County WA, April 23, 2008

Lactarius rubidus (Hesler & A.H. Sm.) Methven    Candy Cap
All pictures West Seattle, King County WA, November 13, 2007. © Daniel Winkler Thanks to Josh B. for taking me to his Candy Stop.
Sparassis crispa (Wulfen) Fr.    The Cauliflower Mushroom
Sparassis crispa, the cauliflower mushroom, is one of the easiest mushrooms to identify [not that this would mean that people who don't bother to really check, wouldn't manage to confuse this mushroom with a coral fungus or a pile of egg noodles]. Sparassis crispa grows near the base of a host conifer tree, often Douglas firs. It is connected to the root system by a single underground stalk. There are not too many individuals out in the woods, but when one is lucky enough to find one, that will be good for several meals. The cauliflower mushrooms fruits in the same location for many years with one individual in late fall. Joe Ammirati suggests  to leave the base when collecting for food, so that it will fruit the next year. They are easy to spot once you see them, however I seem to not find the host trees again or rather get beaten to it by someone else.	Bridal Trails State Park, Bellevue WA, Oct.4, 2005 © Daniel Winkler,
Cantharellus formosus Corner      Pacific Golden Chanterelle
	Easter King County, WA, Oct.24, 2007 © Daniel Winkler