Verpa Bohemica

Just got a call from one of our sources out west offering us the "Early Morel" or Verpa bohemica.

It is also called the "False morel," and the "Half cap."

http://www.mushroomexpert.com/verpa_bohemica.html

I have always stayed away from this mushroom, because it is listed in some sources as toxic.

On the other hand, many people claim to have eaten this for years with no ill effects. David Aurora, one of America's great mushroom experts, advises "Eat with caution."

http://www.rrich.com/msverpabohemica.html

Anyone out there have any experience with this mushroom? Any comments on edibility and
safety?

There's Ramps in those Hills

What a nice change from being on the computer and phone all day. Yesterday I got in the van and headed towards West Virginia to pick up our first load of ramps.

Now in the past our good friend Jerry brought them up to us, but sadly Jerry passed away last year. So long old friend....

It was about 4 hours through Columbus, and then old flat Ohio got hilly and windy -- kind of like where I grew up around Pittsburgh.

My first trip with a GPS and I'm glad I had it. After a couple of hours driving on 2 lane roads, I found the house, and got out and took a look at the ramps.

They were lined up in the barn in baskets (see above) in little bays, with the roots sitting in water to keep them fresh.

I had my new refrigerated van to keep them cool, but there were too many ramps to fit in the van. We spent a couple of hours building some shelving so we could stack them two high and get them all in the van.

Then, on my way back to Michigan. As I pulled out of the West Virginia hills, Levon Helm and the Band were singing on the radio --- WOUB out of Athens Ohio. A great show called "Crossing Boundaries." Thanks for the great music!!

The sun had just set and the sky was beautifu. Layers of clouds, blue sky, pink sky fading away into more stars than I ever see up here. Orion's Belt followed me all the way home to Michigan.

I have to get out of the office more often.

Are we there yet?

OK, it was 70 degrees yesterday, even here in Michigan. March Madness starts tomorrow
(Go Spartans!!) We've had our orchard morels for two weeks now, and everyone seems very happy... http://nofearentertaining.blogspot.com/

Next week we hope to get our first Ramps from West Virginia!!




If you haven't had ramps, you are really missing something special. For fun, attend a Ramp Festival, such as the one from Richwood

http://www.richwooders.com/ramp/ramps.htm

We'll start tracking morel sightings tomorrow!!

Go Green!

Spring at Last

Well I know spring is just around the corner. Here we are, with March Madness just about to start. (So much basketball, so little time) and lo and behold, we get an early pop of morel mushrooms.

This is the earliest I can remember ever having them. There aren't very many, but they are beautiful.




Coming up next -- the first Ramps -- in just a couple of weeks!!