At the McLane Creek Nature Trail, on 9 November 2021, Erika found a stand of unfamiliar fungus. iNaturalist identified it for us as Stropharia ambigua—the Questionable Stropharia. The name is due to its difficult identification. This species is common in leaf litter and wood chips, usually under conifers in western Washington and in western North America. This fungus grows in cool, damp habitats. Apparently it is less common further east. Experts question if Questionable Stropharia are edible and generally conclude “mistakes can be serious.” They are similar to a number of hallucinogenic and/or dangerously toxic species. Furthermore, apparently people vary in their reactions upon eating this mushroom. The general consensus is that “it’s best to leave this one off the plate” (Healing-mushrooms.net).
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