Foster’s Creek, Pisgah National Forest – August 22, 2009

Seventeen members participated in this foray.  Starting from Westgate Shopping Center and the Food Lion on Hwy 280, we reached the Foster’s Creek trailhead just after 10:00 AM.  

The weather started cloudy and damp, but soon became sunny and breezy with falling humidity – a delightful day for foraying.  The previous week had been very wet, bringing out large numbers of mushrooms.  We hunted mainly in the woods to the south of the trailhead and brought back a good and varied haul by lunchtime. 

Most members left after lunch, but a small group did an afternoon foray along the gravel road that runs north from the trailhead.  This area also proved very productive.

Well over 60 species were collected with 59 identified, including no less than 27 of the “Top 50”.  Uncommon finds were Amanita pelioma and Lactarius atroviridis (both new to our cumulative species list), the lovely Cortinarius violaceus, and a large stinkhorn still in the “egg” stage – possibly Dictyphora duplicata.

Plenty of good edibles were found: Lobsters, Smooth Chanterelles, Black Trumpets, and both Eastern species of Cauliflower: Sparassis crispa and Sparrasis spathulata. 

Species identified: