Morels, Truffles and other Spring Mushrooms
by Michael W. Beug Email: beugm@evergreen.edu
The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA
Slide 43.
Elaphomyces granulatus, the Deer Truffle, is probably
the most abundant and widespread of all false truffles, fruiting spring
through fall. It takes its name from the Greek, elapho- (deer)
and -myces (fungus). I found this collection by looking where
deer had been pawing the ground. They eat the thick outer ring of Elaphomyces
granulatus leaving the spore mass. One source lists Elaphomyces
granulatus as edible but not choice. Dr. Trappe has said that it
is poisonous. My recommendation is to avoid it and all similar thick-skinned
false truffles. I also avoid the thick-skinned puff-balls and the very
similar thick-skinned Sclerodermas. Some of the Sclerodermas are quite
poisonous.
Previous
Slide