Aborted Entoloma
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 Aborted Entoloma, Aborted and Unaborted Forms Sculpture, acrylic paint By "Wildman" |
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This misshapen, fragrant mushroom comes into being when the aborted entoloma fungus parasitizes a developing honey mushroom (Armillariella mellea), aborting its normal development.
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 Aborted Entoloma, Aborted Form |
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So it comes in two forms, the unaborted form and the aborted form.
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 A Bagful of Aborted Entolomas |
 Aborted Entoloma, Unaborted Form |
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The grayish white stalk is 1 to 4 inches long and 1/4 to 5/8 inch thick, with white threads (the fungus) emanating from the base.
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Aborted Entoloma, Unaborted Form Watercolor pencils by "Wildman" |
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The distorted ball-shaped, spongy aborted form is 1 to 4 inches wide and 1 to 2 inches tall. Whitish outside, the whitish inside is marbled with pinkish veins. Aborted forms often grow clustered or fused together. |
Look for it in eastern North America west to Texas. |
Both Forms of Aborted Entoloma |
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Pick this mushroom only when you find both forms growing together. Other similar entoloma species that don't form abortions will make you throw up. This top-rated mushroom is great sautéed; simmered in soups, stews, or sauces; baked; or even cooked in cocktail sauce as mock shrimp. Use the caps and stems of both forms. |
Aborted Entolomas, Aborted Form |
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Pick this mushroom only when you find both forms growing together. Other similar entoloma species that don't form abortions will make you throw up. This top-rated mushroom is great sautéed; simmered in soups, stews, or sauces; baked; or even cooked in cocktail sauce as mock shrimp. Use the caps and stems of both forms. |
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Aborted Entolomas, Aborted Form |
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Caution: Never serve aborted entolomas to George W. Bush, Jr. — he's strongly opposed to abortion!
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