Wild Harvest Tour Exclusive
This post is based on something we encountered on the June Wild Harvest Tour. Although they are commonly called Reishi or more accurately Ganoderma Mushrooms the Hemlock Varnish Shelf is a species we are likely to find in our area. Ganoderma fungi are found worldwide and are always worthy of note.
https://www.facebook.com/p/Sandhills-Wild-Harvest-61557940700225/
The Hemlock Varnish Shelf can often be found in urban environments, look for the 'burnt omelette' appearance and you've probably got the right thing. I suspect this fungus came in with the chunky pine bark nuggets around the base of the Wax Myrtle.
Common Name: Hemlock Varnish Shelf
Other Common Names: Reishi
Botanical Family: Ganodermataceae (The Ganoderma Family)
Botanical Latin Name: Ganoderma tsugae
Description & Habitat: This type of Ganoderma mushroom is often called a Polypore. The word polypore itself means that the fungus will have many pores as the word poly means many. Typically fungi in this grouping have substantial sized fruiting bodies with an underside that is full of pores or tubes. This particular type of Ganoderma is not poisonous but unfortunately is inedible. In fact having tried to eat one myself I can say that it has a flavor resembling dirt and or charcoal. Not exactly bitter but you would only want to eat one if desperate. Typically you will find mushroom growing on members of the Hemlock (Tsuga sp.) family but also on Pines, and based on where the specimen pictured was found, also on Southern Wax Myrtles (Myrica cerifera). The Wax Myrtle if you are not familiar with it is a very common evergreen broad leaf landscaping bush/small tree used because of its tolerance of mistreatment and urban environments. In this case the Reishi mushroom was found to be growing up beside a Wax Myrtle and had even grown through several of the tree’s roots.
When & What to Harvest: With these fungi you want to harvest the ‘cap’ and whatever amount of stem you can without injuring the host plant.
Poisonous Lookalikes: none
Related Useful Species: Ganaderma sessile, G. sichuanense (The actual reishi) G. curtisii, G. zonatum, and there are others.
Recipe: Typically this specific species of Ganoderma is used to make a tea which favors extracting the polysaccharides. Using alcohol methods to make a tincture, aids in getting the Triterpenoids in a bio-available form. As an additional recipe note, the softer ‘lip’ of the mushroom when they are smaller is favored for consumption as it is softer though the flavor may not be the best.
Additional Information: (If applicable)
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP333
With all that garden goodness covered this is the part of the blog where I have to advertise for the Fayetteville City Market. Now I know you readers probably don’t much like advertisements, but my booth at the City Market helps to cover the costs of running the test garden and literally maintains the Research & Development budget that is used to bring you the information that has made up the backbone of this blog. In addition to being able to process card payments we now take CashApp payments so your payment options for my product have tripled. With that said; if you want to get some GMO-free, Organic fruit, herbs, flowers and perennials, come on down to the Fayetteville City Market on 325 Maxwell Street in downtown Fayetteville between the hours of 9:00 am and 1:00 pm on Saturdays. Even in bad weather the market goes on though you might have to look for me under the ‘arches’ of the Transportation Museum’s front entryway.
For those of you wondering what plants are going to be at the market this weekend here is the list.
Fresh Foods:
Blueberries, Rabbiteye – 12 ounces
Blueberries, Rabbiteye – 8 ounces
Figs, Mixed* – 16 ounces
Figs, Mixed* – 8 ounces
Tomatoes, Cherry Blend – 12 ounces
*Figs will be a mix of what is currently ripe; they might be White Ischia, Chicago Hardy, Celeste, Magnolia, Kadota, Brown Turkey or Petit Nigra.
Soil Amendment Products:
Live Mushroom Compost – 18 Gallon Tote*
Live Mushroom Compost – 3 Gallon Bag
Live Mushroom Compost – 1 Gallon Bag
Sandhills Mushroom Farms – Lion’s Mane Tincture (New!)
Sandhills Mushroom Farms – Turkey Tail Tincture (New!)
Garden Plants, Perennial:
Gentian Sage
Spineless Prickly Pear
Spanish Bayonet
Garden Plants, Annual:
Celosia, New Mix
Coming Soon:
Soup Kit – Parsnip
Soup Kit – Turnip
Garlic Bulbs
Collard Greens
Fall vegetables
*The 18 gallon tote is by special order only and is delivered to any address within the Fayetteville city area.
How to stay in Contact with Us!
Our group’s online presence has migrated to Nextdoor.com. All you need to keep up with all our activities is to have a Nextdoor account and to look for the ‘Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville’ group and ask to join! You don’t have to live in Fayetteville to join us! Feel free to ask all your garden questions of our knowledgeable membership and post your cool garden pictures.
Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville
Also please take a gander at the YouTube version of this blog:
The Videos: Look Here
>Newest videos (1): Asparagus Fern
Meetings are still going on! Our next (unofficial) meeting is August 24th at the Fayetteville City Market at 325 Franklin Street between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.
