mushroom-forest-life

[mushroom-forest-life]

Mushroom of the day:

Destroying Angel/Amanita bisporigera

Geographic location: North America and France; growing location: on the ground in mycorrhizal association with trees

Characteristics: these mushrooms have a pure white cap and stem, sprout from an egg like structure, and have a partial veil on the stem. they grow from June through November and they will leave a white spore print when placed on a piece of paper.

Potentially fatal if ingested for humans and dogs/cats

Destroying angels can be confused with some edible species like: button mushroom, meadow mushroom, horse mushroom

Destroying angel mushrooms, and their cousin, the death, cat mushrooms are responsible for almost all the mushroom related deaths around the world

Adult needs to eat only half of a mushroom cap and symptoms will appear within 5-24 hours.

[mushroom-forest-life]

Mushroom of the day:

Death Cap/Amanita phalloides

Geographic location: North America, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East; growing location: on the ground in mycorrhizal association with trees

characteristics: this cap and steam mushroom has a white cap with a green tan and yellow hue. Sprouts from an egg structure and has a partial veil on the stem.

Do not ingest

 this mushroom is often grooved alongside the deadly destroying angel mushroom species

 this mushroom is responsible for some of the most and famous poisonings in history like Roman emperor Claudius possibly Pope Clement VII,etc

The death cab also looks like another of the most commonly consumed mushrooms in the world the paddy straw mushroom



[mushroom-forest-life]

Guide to Drying Herbs

Drying herbs is a simple practice, and there are several methods to choose from depending on the type of herb and your desire use. Here's how I dry my herbs:

1. Drying on Newspaper

This method works well for larger leaves and herbs that don’t need to be hung.

Lay the herbs flat on a clean sheet of newspaper in a single layer.

Place the newspaper in a dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight.

Turn the herbs occasionally to ensure even drying.

Once the herbs are dry and crisp to the touch, they’re ready for storage.

2. Hanging Herbs Upside Down

Perfect for longer herbs, like rosemary, lavender or thyme, that can be tied together.

Gather small bunches of herbs and secure them with a cord or string.

Wrap the herbs loosely in a breathable cloth, like cheesecloth or muslin. This helps them air freely while catching any small leaves or flowers that may shed during the drying process.

Hang the bunches upside down in a cool, dry place with good airflow. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can degrade the color and potency.

Once the herbs are completely dry (they should crumble easily), remove the leaves or store them as they are.

I do this with fresh lavender that I put in my closet as shown in the picture.

3. Pressing Herbs

This method is ideal for preserving delicate leaves or flowers for decorative purposes or rituals.

Place the herbs between sheets of paper (such as parchment or regular printer paper).

Insert the paper into a thick book, ensuring the herbs are spread flat and evenly.

Place additional books or a weight on top to press them.

Leave them for 1–2 weeks, checking occasionally for dryness.

4. Drying Small Petals

For small, delicate petals or flowers, a rule bag works wonders.

Place the petals or flowers in a breathable rule bag (such as a mesh or cotton drawstring bag).

Hang the bag in a dry, ventilated area.

Shake the bag gently every few days to prevent clumping and to ensure even drying.

General Tips for Best Results

Use Breathable Cloths: Wrapping your herbs or laying them on a breathable cloth allows air to circulate freely, preventing mold while catching any small leaves or flowers that shed during the drying process.

Timing: Dry herbs as soon as possible after harvesting to retain their potency and fragrance.

Environment: Choose a dry, cool, and ventilated area to prevent mold or mildew.

Labeling: If drying multiple herbs, label them to avoid confusion.

Storage: Once dried, store your herbs in airtight containers away from sunlight and moisture.

Using Dried Herbs

Always check if the plant is safe for use before collecting it. Do not make tea or touch anything with unknown properties. Always clean your plants before drying.

Once your herbs are dried, you can use them for teas, rituals, incense, or other magical and practical purposes. Always remember to respect and honor the plants you've harvested by using them mindfully.

[mushroom-forest-life]

HIII

I have started a discord server for Hellenistic pagans!!

You can talk about the gods you work/worship (if you don’t work/worship any rn that’s okay)

Talk about myths and rituals

Talk/learn about divination

Share your hobbies

Find your community

Ask questions

15+

If you are new to paganism that’s okay join!!!

This is a new server so help it grow!!

[mushroom-forest-life]

Mushroom of the day:

Deadly galerina/Galerina marginata

Other names: funeral bell, deadly skull cap , or autumn skull cap

Geographic location: northern America, Europe, Asia,Australia; growing location-decaying predominantly conifer

Characteristics-this mushroom has a little brown cap with a white steam

Potentially fatal if ingested

 this is one of the most famous poisonous mushroom in the world because the species look so different. It’s also one of the hardest who identified.

Deadly galerina was first called agaricus marginatus in 1789 by German naturalist August Batsch, its name was later changed by American mycologist A.H. Smith and German mycologist Rolf Singer in 1962.

This mushroom is lumped into a large group of hard to identify mushrooms, called little brown mushrooms

Certain compounds found in this mushroom in habits and enzyme that is essential for cells to function properly in your body. once cells metabolism stops, your organs start to fail.

[mushroom-forest-life]

Mushroom of the day:

Dead’s Man’ Fingers/ Xylaria polymorpha

Geographic location-global; growing location-decomposing hardwood, stumps or logs

Characteristics-thin cylindrical fungi that looks like fingers sticking out of the ground can be gray, dark, brown or black

Edible but some are poisonous

Sometimes used for mycoremediation and instrument maker 

When this mushroom is young, it has a whitish bluish growing tip with a darker colored body. Then as it gets older, it becomes black and covered in small bumps, called paerithecia, from which spores are released

 dead man’s fingers can be “species complex” meaning there are many look-alikes that, without DNA sequencing makes it almost impossible to differentiate between them.

In India, these mushrooms are used to promote lactation after birth and taken twice daily before meals with cows, milk

It may be partially poisonous. It does seem to have benefits. research shows this mushroom with beneficial compounds used to support the immune system.

[mushroom-forest-life]

Sorry it’s been awhile I’ve been pretty busy.

I have made a discord server for Hellenistic pagans!!!

So if you are a beginner or if you are looking for a community please join.

[mushroom-forest-life]

Mushroom of the day:

Darwin’s fungus/cyttaria Darwinii

Other names:Beech orange

Geographic location: South America, mainly in Argentina and Chile; growing location: all parts of southern beech trees

Characteristics: this mushroom pill yellow to orange is the size and shape of ping-pong or golf balls with dimples on the surface

Edible can be used for arts and crafts





[mushroom-forest-life]

Euclid Spots a Spiral Galaxy

[mushroom-forest-life]

Mushroom of the day:

Cordyceps/ Cordyceps militaries

Other names: Scarlett caterpillar club mushroom

Geographic location: all continents, except Antarctica; growing location: primarily on moth cocoons, or pupae, which are nuzzled and moss or leaf litter

Characteristics: similar appearance to cheese puff, this mushroom is an orange club shape. These mushrooms grow out of the soil or moss on a black cocoon or pupa

Edible

Maximum high is about 3 inches

In Chinese herbalism and western herbalism this mushroom is a primary use for supporting energy levels 

[mushroom-forest-life]

Looks like a nice place to sit.

[mushroom-forest-life]

Mushroom of the day:

Coral fungus/Ramarua spp.

 geographic location: global, growing location: most grow on decaying wood, but some may be mycorrhizal, having a symbiotic relationship with trees, and therefore growing relationship to living trees.

Characteristics : coral mushrooms, which range and color from yellow, white, purple, orange, red, and tan . Some species bruise and change colors upon impact

Some species are edible and some are mildly poisonous

[mushroom-forest-life]

[mushroom-forest-life]

Mushroom of the day:

Chicken of the woods/Laetiporus Sulphureus

Other names: sulphur polypore

Geographic location: Europe, and North America; growing location: roots tree, bases, and stems of a wide range of tree species, including oak, plum, willow, black locus,beech, and conifers.

Characteristics: mushrooms are bright orange to yellow in color. They are fan shaped shelf like mushrooms that grow in clusters.

Edible

Their poisonous look-alike is the jack-o’-lantern mushroom .

 if you have never eaten chicken of the woods it is recommended to eat small quantities . 10% of the population feels stomach discomfort when eating this mushroom .

Some use the chicken of the woods as a vegan remake of actual chicken





[mushroom-forest-life]

Mushroom of the day:

Chanterelles/Cantharellus spp.

Geographic location: global; growing location: Mycorrhizal species, andsymbiosis with conifers or hardwood trees

Characteristics: small small and generally orange, orange, yellow trumpet shape, mushroom that has gills running up the sides

Edible

Jack-o’-lantern mushroom is a dangerous look-alike. It is not deadly, but will make you very sick

There are a couple different types, 1. Golden Chanterelle/Girolle-grows in Europe, 2. Cantharellus minor -tiny Chanterelle , first reported in North America, but recently reported in Kerala,india,3. Peach chanterelle /pink chanterelle-grows in the Appalachian area ,4. White chanterelle-White mushroom, but bruises, orange ,5.Cantharellus lilacinus-purple to lilac ,6.  Cantharellus texensis- fiery reddish orange found primarily in Texas, but pops up in Louisiana Mississippi, Alabama and Florida

[mushroom-forest-life]

Mushroom of the day:

Chaga/Inontus obliquus

Geographic location: northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia; growing location: birch trees

Characteristics: looks like charcoal growing on the side of a birch tree

When harvesting Chaga be careful not to over harvest. When Chaga is ready to be harvested, it has not yet spread its pours.

Can grow as high as 30 feet up a tree

[mushroom-forest-life]

Mushroom of the day:

Cauliflower mushroom/Sparassis crispa

Geographic location: global; growing: the base of coniferous trees

Characteristics: mushroom is yellowish white and wiggly. It has pattern similar to a brain or, while also looking like a glob of lasagna noodle stuck together.

Edible

 health benefits: support the immune system, keeps blood sugar levels normal, promote skin health