Hey Steemit!
Hope your day is going as bright as mine! I recently started a series of posts here, on Steemit, called Wonder Plants. In these I detail how specific plants can help you better your health and your lifestyle. Following a similar format, I will now start another series called Amazing Mushrooms. In this one, I will talk about different mushrooms, their properties, maybe a bit of history and various facts about them. In no way I am claiming to be an expert on the subject, I simply love to read about them so I will share my findings with you. Feel free to add information or corrections in the comment section, I will update the posts when it's appropriate.
*Please, never consume any wild mushrooms. Many edible species have deadly lookalikes. I don't want you to get hurt because of a post you read on the internet. This being said, go out and try to find these mushrooms and take pictures of them, just don't eat them. Do not assume you identified a mushroom properly by simply looking at it. Some mushrooms are illegal to pick, make sure to understand your local laws about the subject.
*DO NOT EAT THE MUSHROOMS. Be safe.
Now that this warning is taken care of, let's get down to business:
Amazing Mushroom #001 - Fly Agaric (Amanita Muscaria), the shamanic one
*Picture of a fully developed Amanita Muscaria
This mushroom is one of the most recognized in folklore and popular culture. Known by many as the Smurfs' houses, the Amanita Muscaria shares a long history with humans as the mushroom has been used in shamanic rituals for it's alleged hallucinogenic and aphrodisiac properties. When dried, the cap concentrates a psychoactive substance called muscimol. This chemical causes vivid visions and eventually deep sleep. The experience is risky, especially for people suffering from heart conditions, some people die every year from trying to follow ancient shamanic rituals.
*Picture of a young specimen
Why the name Fly Agaric? Simply because you can use this beautiful mushroom to get rid of flies! Just let a few caps macerate in a bowl of sweet milk for about a night. For flies, this mix will be as attractive as it will be deadly. No need for expensive canned chemicals. There are many other Amanitas, but I will get to those in future posts.
- Edible: no
- Toxic: yes
- Cap size: 8-12 cm
- Color: usually red, sometimes orange or even yellow, with white dots.
- Habitat: Very common in the woods, especially close to birch trees and aspen trees. It is found is northern climates, often in altitude.
- Season: July to October
- Lookalikes: other amanitas
Useful Links:
- Amanita Muscaria (French Encylopedia)
- Erowid Psychoactive Amanita Muscaria
- Encyclopedia of Life - Fly Agaric
Sources:
- Mauch, Hans & Konrad Lauber. Champignons. 1975. Petit Atlas Payot Lausanne. p.70.
- Blanc, Myriam. Le Petit Livre des Champignons. 2012. Éditions du Chêne. p. 26.
Images (in order of appearance):
- 27pebh3agxku3bgo3k10r6k0-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Amanita_muscaria_b.jpg
- img05.deviantart.net/86a7/i/2014/331/2/a/young_amanita_muscaria_by_mladenigor-d87vdzn.jpg
- files.shroomery.org/files/08-47/716820823-formos1.jpg
Edits:
- 24/6/17 - picture of yellow amanita, tags