Now Forage

----- Beware poisonous lookalikes: Podaxis Pistillaris is also called the False Shaggy Mane or Desert Shaggy Mane due to its resemblance to Coprinus Comatus. It is not poisonous, but it is inedible, with fibrous,woody flesh. Coprinopsis Atramentaria (or Atramentarius), another Inky Cap, is somewhat similar to the Shaggy Mane but has a smooth to fibrillose, not scaly, cap surface and lacks the elongated cap shape of C. Comatus. Some people eat Coprinopsis Atramentarius. The Coprinus Atramentarius mushroom contains a chemical called Coprine, a substance which acts like the medicine Antabuse to those who consume alcohol while eating them. Onset of Antabuse-like symptoms can begin a few minutes after alcohol is consumed. The symptoms are tachycardia (racing heart) and palpitations, tingling arms and legs, warmth and flushing, and sometimes headache, heavy limbs, salivation. ------ When young it is an excellent edible mushroom provided that it is eaten soon after being collected (it keeps very badly because of the autodigestion of its gills and cap). If long-term storage is desired, microwaving, sauteing or simmering until limp will allow the mushrooms to be stored in a refrigerator for several days or frozen. Also, placing the mushrooms in a glass of ice water will delay the decomposition for a day or two so that one has time to incorporate them into a meal. Processing or icing must be done whether for eating or storage within four to six hours of harvest to prevent undesirable changes to the mushroom.