Shaggy Parasols
Latin name : Formally Lepiota rachodes, now Chlorophyllum rachodes
Hul'qumi'num : kwumsuli'qw (mushroom)
Description: Shaggy Parasols grow up from the ground to be about 2-8 inches in height. When they first emerge their caps are closed, looking like a round scaly ball. As they mature their caps open into large convex disks (about 3-8 inches), becoming flatter with age. The tops of their caps are beige-white with brown (at times almost pink) fibrous scales that curl up towards the center of the cap. Underneath the cap, the gills are closely packed, not attached to the stem, and white in colour but darkening with age. The stalk is club-shaped and the same beige-white as the cap. It has a veil that is loosely attached to the stem, with an (often) double edge, white-brown in colour (matching the colour and texture of its scales). Shaggy Parasols are very fleshy and will bruise a saffron colour that will darken to red when disturbed. This is a distinguishing characteristic of this mushroom and is important to remember as it has poisonous look-alikes, however, they will either not bruise, or bruise different colours. To be extra cautious, a white spore print will tell you that you have the right mushroom here.
Harvest and Sustainability: Shaggy Parasol can fruit in late summer to winter. It needs moisture but doesn't require as much as other mushrooms. Due to its fleshy structure, you will not find it around freezing temperatures. They are commonly found under the shade of conifer forests, especially in lightly disturbed areas. They will occasionally send one fruiting body up alone, but usually, you will find them together in small groups. I haven't noticed any pattern for recurring fruiting spots or fruiting after certain times or climate patterns, so finding a Shaggy Parasol is often an unexpected delight! When harvesting, wait until their caps have opened to allow them to spread their spores. These mushrooms are fairly delicate and tend to break apart, so I recommend carrying them in a structured basket or gently in a fabric bag. Like always, carrying mushrooms in baskets and loosely knitted bags allows them to spread their spores further through the forest, raising the potential for more of them to fruit.
Due to their delicate nature, Shaggy Parasols don't keep for long. They will keep a few days in a paper bag in the fridge, but their bruising will darken as they age. It is best to eat them right away.
Uses:
CAUTION, about 1 in 25 people are allergic to this mushroom, it is recommended to sample just a small, cooked piece of Shaggy Parasol and wait for 24 hrs for any response before eating larger amounts.
This is a mushroom also must be fully cooked before eating, without doing so it may cause stomach upset due to toxins (not cooked off) regardless if you have a sensitivity to it or not. Depending on how thick you slice it, Shaggy Parasol should be cooked for roughly 10 min, making sure it has released all its water.
Don’t be put off by potential sensitivities to Shaggy Parasol, as long as you are thorough in your ID and taste testing, and respectful of the mushroom, you are in for a real treat. If you are unsure of an ID, find a local mushroom enthusiast, they will likely be happy to confirm.
Overall Shaggy Parasols are delicious and one of my favorite edible mushrooms. They have a beautiful texture and flavor, almost meaty, and are of course filled with vitamins and minerals from the forest.
