Random Russula Dinner

[Jim Berlstein]

Greetings fellow mycophiles,
      While walking my Great Danes through a lovely stretch of urban 
seattle woods, I have noticed that it looks like a good beginning to 
mushroom season. I have found a few chanterelles here, and a spirasis 
crispa as well.  However, the woods are dominated by russulas.  Yesterday 
I came upon a group of Asian immigrants filling there buckets with 
virtually every species of russula they could find.  They apparently eat 
all of them, and have done so before.  This is not the first time I have 
seen this approach to mushroom hunting.  They did not include the common 
Aminita Pantherina in thier buckets, which was a relief to me.  I showed 
them my chanterelles, which they were not familiar with.  I will try and 
see what species of russulas are available, as I am curious to see if I 
can identify any poisonous species in my little woods. Normally, except 
for Xerampilina I ignore this genus as much as possible.  Are others 
familiar with this random russula approach to mushroom hunting?  I have 
seen it practiced on at least 5 occaisons, and always by immigrants from 
Asia.  While I do think that the typical mycophobic American attitude is 
silly, this non-discriminating approach seems to take mycophilia a bit 
too far.  Has anyone heard of poisonings occuring to this group of bold 
mushroomers?
-
  JIM BERLSTEIN  VPGH51A at prodigy.com