"Beefsteak Mushroom"

[Robert L. Chehey]

Jeff Potter wrote:

> Some of my info disagrees with this. . . . .
> 
>
> I have an older Michigan Botanical Club book by AH and HV Smith which
> calls the 'brainy' Helvella esculenta by the nickname 'beefsteak'.
> 
> Help! Is this a regional thing? I don't think I've seen 'Fistulina'.
>

Well, I have to give you this one.  I looked through several of Alex
Smith's books and he did call G. esculenta "Beefsteak Morel", but he
also called F. hepatica "Beefsteak fungus" in The Mushroom Hunter's
Field Guide.  Most other popular guide authors, at least since the 1930s
call it "False Morel".  If it were anyone but Alex and Helen, I probably
wouldn't concede.:)

I do think it is a regional thing.  In the PNW, I first started being
asked about beefsteak musrooms only two years ago, and mostly from
midwest tranplantees attending my classes.
-- 
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Robert L. Chehey,		Home:	cheheyr at micron.net
Manager, Microbiology		Work:	cheheyr at dhw.state.id.us
Bureau of Laboratories
Boise, ID 
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