Black tree lichen (bryoria)
Bryoria fremontii
mushroom
⚠️ Toxic look-alike
Never eat this mushroom unless you are certain it is not its toxic look-alike.
Other beard lichens that look like it are toxic: tortured horsehair lichen (Bryoria tortuosa), with yellow glints, and wolf lichen, bright yellow, contain vulpinic acid, a poison once used to poison wolves; even the edible bryoria can contain some. The peoples of British Columbia kept only the dark-brown to black tufts, with no trace of yellow, washed them in plenty of water and cooked them for a long time; raw or badly prepared, this lichen irritates the stomach. Only gather it with someone who knows it.
If in the slightest doubt, leave it. If you feel unwell after eating it, even several hours later, call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) or 911.
A black lichen in long beards, washed then cooked overnight in an earth oven: it melts into black, gelatinous cakes.
- Origin
- Western Canada and United States (British Columbia)
- Where to find it
- It hangs from the branches of pines and larches in the interior of British Columbia; the interior peoples still sometimes prepare it.
- Season (United States)
- all year round
- Preparation
- The lichen is soaked and washed in plenty of water, then cooked for several hours with bulbs or roots until it melts; it is never eaten raw.
- Molecules
- Mushroom beta-glucansIn small amounts, not counted Mucilages
- Did you know?
- It was cooked with bulbs and roots, which sweetened it.