Most Active Stories Around the Nation Sat September 17, 2011
Irene Aftermath: When It Rains, It Spores When Hurricane Irene
tore through the Northeast last month, it caused severe flooding
and damage to homes, trees and power lines. But it also left
behind something rather delicate — mushrooms. Foragers say
they've seen more fungi in the past few weeks than ever before.
On a recent weekday morning in Northampton, Mass., three
50-something adults wander into the woods. The oak leaves fall
alongside the pine needles, and the tall maple trees are just
starting to show color. Pat McDonagh often takes friends out to
forage for mushrooms and teaches them which species are edible.
"It does not have gills like a store mushroom," she says. "It
has spongy tubes. It's very distinctive. It has these black
flaky scales on top. You can usually see if they're wormy,
because they'll be little worm holes. This one's nice and clean.
It can go in my basket." Even though it hasn't rained in days,
there's still a damp feeling in