https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/187875901
A few days ago, I observed this small group of wild mushrooms along the side of Glacier Highway around noon on October 3rd about ten to fifteen minutes down the road from Eagle Beach Recreation Area in Juneau, Alaska. With autumn in full swing, the rain has been regularly beating down on the town I live in but the weather slightly cleared up and I noted that it was chilly, cloudy, and windy on the day I photographed this plant. Also, despite the inclement weather, I was surprised to find this fungus’s state of being as still alive and thriving in the increasingly harsh environment. I have always been fascinated by these kinds of organisms but there is such a wide variety of them that it was difficult to track down this exact species since I did not recognize it as one that I had seen before. Nevertheless, I was able to identify it as Coprinus comatus although it also goes by some other more common names such as shaggy mane, lawyer's cap, and inky cap mushrooms. According to various members of the US Forest Service’s Alaska Region Botany Program, the fungi is distinguishable when it is young because it grows to about two to six inches tall, has a bullet-shaped cap, is “white with shaggy light brown scales” and as it grows/gets older their stalks become noticeably longer, cream-colored, and “[the cap’s] exceedingly close-packed gills liquefy to a black ink-like fluid” (Mohatt et al. 23). Furthermore, though it must be located, cooked and eaten in the short window of time before it begins to secrete the black fluid, the plant is considered edible with a few listed health benefits stemming from its versatile nutritional benefits. WebMD says the shaggy mane mushroom is not only high in dietary fiber and healthy carbohydrates but “contain[s] important minerals like phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium” as well–Also, there are correlated research studies to reflect that the plant is naturally anti-inflammatory and can lower blood sugar levels, promote weight loss, help improve brain functions, and it has additional anti-cancerous properties (Kunde and Jabeen).
Works Cited
Mohatt, Kate, et al. “Mushrooms of the National Forests in Alaska.” Mushrooms of the National Forests in Alaska, United States Department of Agriculture: US Forest Service Alaska Region Botany Program, Feb. 2013, pp. 22-23, www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5414170.pdf. Accessed 16 Oct. 2023.
Kunde, Roma, and Jabeen Begum. “Health Benefits of Shaggy Mane Mushroom.” WebMD, WebMD, 2 Nov. 2022, www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-shaggy-mane-mushroom. Accessed 16 Oct. 2023.
Comentarios
I always find it so fascinating to see different mushrooms in shapes I never expected them to be in. The mushroom looks like a little tree or one of those shaggy dogs; I guess that's how it got the name shaggy mane. I am shocked to see this mushroom is still thriving, especially with how cold it's getting. It makes me wonder how mushrooms survive in cold winters. Do they go into hibernation or freeze and thaw out in the summertime? It's interesting to think about how all life survives Alaska's harsh environment. Interestingly, it secrets a black ink-like liquid. I never would have expected that from a mushroom, especially one resembling a tree. I also didn't know mushrooms could have scales. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experiences with the shaggy mane.
Hi Lexi, the picture you captured is awesome! This mushroom is such a fun sight to see. It reminds me of cartoony trees. I am also quite surprised to see how well the fungus is doing because just about every mushroom, I’ve seen in the last month have been pummeled by the rain and wind. The weather always seems to be nicer out the road though. I am surprised to hear there are potential anti-cancerous qualities of this mushroom, you don’t often hear that about common plants around town. I will be on the lookout for shaggy mane’s around Juneau and I will remind myself that when I see one, our earth is so good at providing for us and sustaining us with resources all around!
I'm impressed by these mushrooms! I've never seen them before but I sure hope to spot them in the wild sometime and see them for myself. They have such an interesting shape! It's also interesting that they secrete a black ink-like fluid. I wonder if the black fluid is dangerous or could be used as a natural ink for dyeing or painting. My knowledge of mushrooms and fungi is in its infancy, but the more I learn the more intrigued I become! These types of organisms are so unique and have such a wide variety of benefits but also a wide range of dangers. I'll keep my eyes peeled for these funky little trees next time I'm outside.
Lexi;
I have looked for this mushroom in Sitka and have yet to find it. What an excellent find. It is one of the mushrooms that are all the rage for people my age looking at possible dementia. You mentioned brain functions as one of the medical help it can bring. I found it interesting that a person needs to harvest it before the black ink, from which it gets one of its common names, starts to ooze from it. I buy a powdered mixture of different ground mushroom ingredients and take them in my nightly drink, hoping that my mind stays clear and it purportedly has a "shaggy mane" in it. I don't know if it is true, but it is pretty expensive, and the shaggy mane is one of the more costly alternative holistic supplements for brain function. I talked with my doctor about taking shaggy mane mushrooms, and his response was, "Well, I have no idea if it will work, but it sure won't hurt either." So, I continue to do so. Now that I know you found one in Juneau, I will keep my eyes out here in Sitka, and maybe I might just find one.
Gayleen
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