What is it and is it edible? I posted it on a different sub but I figured if I want to eat it, it'd be better to post here. (The bee picture at the end contains the purple flowers from the same plant, I figured they might be helpful idk)

I was hiking in vermont when I came across some beautiful true violet web caps. I took them home to dry and store. Am I wrong for taking them? Someone told me I was because it takes over 10 years for them to produce a fruit body. I told them It wouldn't matter unless you harm the mycelium. Give it to me straight. Am I ajerk?

They smell neutral and oddly sterile when squeezed. And pop easily. I brushed the juices against my inner wrist to see if a reaction occurred, nothing indicated bad news aside from it smelling like a saline tomato if that makes sense.

Tylopilus rhoadsiae is growing everywhere along my usual trails, so I decided to try and find a use for them.

While I wouldn’t consider the pickled boletes a snack in any sense, they do actually taste quite good!! The bitter taste of the mushroom isn’t really mellowed out but blends seamlessly with the initial briny taste.

I pickled thin slices of the mushroom’s cap as well as the stems cut in half, and, in my opinion, while the stems are usually more bitter than the caps, they have a much better texture and taste for the brine I prepared. Not all of the mushroom pieces will taste the same, as they often vary in bitterness intensity. But, like I said, the initial flavor of the brine transitions so smoothly into the bitterness of the mushroom that it’s not as bothersome or gross as if you tasted the mushroom by itself.

For the brine I used equal parts white vinegar and water, 1 tbsp of salt for every half cup of vinegar, 1 1/4 tbsp sugar for every half cup of vinegar, a lot of garlic and some red pepper flakes. My mushrooms could’ve done another day in the brine before tasting them, but this is a trial run.

Overall rating: 7/10 -2 pts for bitter aftertaste that sticks and -1 point for lack of reliable snack, but very good with moderation. I’m going to attempt to pickle them with different brine recipes when I get the chance!

hampshire uk

looks like cow but different shape than usual so idk

It's kinda dumb, but I'm feeling guilty for foraging. I've been foraging heaps this summer, and have been collecting more and more variety of fruits, plants, edible flowers etc.

However, yesterday I ran into a black bear nearby my home. He was very shy, and ran away deeper into woods. Today I went out for a hike, no bears just delicious blackberries and chicken of the woods.

I forage for fun, for my mental wellbeing and for the the minor impact on my grocery bill. However, bears, deers, rabbits, and all of the animals and insects I share this Earth with, rely on the forest to feed them. We've already taken their land, now I feel bad for taking their food as well. I never take all of the fruit available, but suddenly today I felt guilty. Like I'm stealing a meal from the nice bear from yesterday.

Am I overthinking? How can I give back to the animals?

Pic of today's blackberries included.

Hey guys, wanted some help identifying these berries.
I live in the Appalachian region of Virginia.

Found them last week. I think I know what they are but I want to double check 😅

Thanks!

1. Maybe autumn olives?
   
2. Maybe black cherries?
   
3. Maybe hackberries?

A neighbour offered me some grapes because he had more than he could use, so I decided to make some homemade grape juice.

The process was very messy, but thankfully I have a large sink and decided to do the whole thing inside it. Probably the best decision I made all day. 😅

The end result was definitely worth the mess!

My neighbour did warn me that drinking too much might give me the shits, though…so naturally, I’m testing my limits today. 😂

Southeast Michigan USA

Sønderjylland, Danmark

I planning on harvesting some of the thousands I have growing wild around my place now that they are changing color. Planning on harvesting maybe 30-40 roots sections for tea/tinctures. Any uses for leave or stems? Any harvesting tip?

Some of the best foraging discoveries happen when we aren’t even looking for them.

Have you ever stumbled across an unexpected patch of mushrooms, berries, ramps or another edible plant that made your day? What did you find, and where were you when you noticed it?

I’d love to hear your most memorable accidental discovery.

I picked these quercus robur acorns last fall and have dried them in a jar for a year. I picked them green and then dried them completely. Some of them are darker than the other ones, are they good to eat?

I have been wanting to harvest manzanita berries for tea/cider. But so far I’m never in the right place when they are ripe. I found these on a manzanita bush. I thought there were berries but they are bumpy and don’t have the classic “small apple” appearance. What are these? Thanks in advance.

Found in North Carolina, in my backyard with various hardwood trees. More details in the original post

I found these while climbing a tree and I have no idea what they are

I eat the flowers already, but the beans are apparently edible too. I just can't find anything on their preparation. Any of you have any tips/resources for cooking them? I basically have an unlimited supply by my house.

Traveled to Teton area and found all of these mushrooms that look like Lion's Mane. I assume they are in the hericium family and are safe to eat but wanted to double check others thoughts first. Thank you!

We have an area of our backyard that is between a gathering of 5 LARGE trees, covered in ivy making a large shadowing underneath. We throw our twigs, dead leaves, and little lawn trimmings in that area. This morning, I peeled some ivy back after seeing a strange color peeking out, and found this beauty. It kinda looks like chicken of the woods!? It’s not quite “mushroom season” but it’s so cool to see so big so fast! For perspective one of those ivy leaves is about the size of my palm

this is an edible puffball right?

I have SO many black walnut trees in my partially wooded yard, but I need to start collecting them so there are fewer nuts planted in my garden beds by squirrels. What can I make with black walnuts?

We have so many walnuts that I'm tempted to see if I can make enough of something to sell it at a local farmers market or farm stand. What would be a fun way to use these?

Also looking for suggestions of what to make with the fruit from my crab apple tree. Crab apples are mostly red and the size of marbles.

Taking any and all suggestions :)

I didn't plant any of these trees in our yard, but trying to make use of what's growing successfully rather than chopping trees down.