Aborted Entoloma
Entoloma abortivum
Do not eat any fungi that has not been properly identified by a qualified professional, some are DEADLY when ingested. All edible wild fungi MUST be cooked.
Entoloma abortivum is commonly known as the Aborted Entoloma or Shrimp of the Woods It is an edible mushroom in the family Entolomataceae and is widely found across eastern North America in hardwood forests. Entoloma abortivum is found in two forms: a typical mushroom fruiting body and a white carpophoroid ("aborted") form. There's also another mushroom involved, the Armillaria gallica (one of the honey mushrooms). The three forms of the fruiting bodies are often found together in one area due to a parasitic relationship between Entoloma abortivum and honey mushrooms. Entoloma abortivum doesn’t just parasitize just Armillaria gallica; it parasitizes a number of honey mushroom species.
Type
Distinguishing Features
Entoloma abortivum is mostly a forest-inhabiting gilled mushroom that is found in two forms: a typical mushroom fruiting body with a gray stipe, a gray cap, and pink, short-decurrent to adnate gills, and a white "aborted" form lacking well-formed gills. They are parasitic on species of Armillaria, and saprobic on woody debris and leaf litter. The non-aborted cap measures 2-8 cm (0.78 to 3.15"); is convex with an inrolled margin, expanding to flat, and broadly convex. They are gray to grayish brown. The aborted fruits are irregular, lumpy, brain-like, or popcorn-shaped masses that lack a distinct cap, stem, or gills.
Height
The stipe of the non-aborted form ranges from 2.5 to 10cm (1-4") long. The length usually corresponds with the width of the cap. The aborted form has either a very small stem or a stem does not exist.
Habitat
They are saprobic so are found around rotting wood, wood chips, and stumps. They can rarely be found in lawns and parks but they do favor deciduous woodland areas. They will be found in the same location year-after-year until the wood they are breaking down is totally gone. They are widely distributed east of the Rocky Mountains.
Spore Print
Non-aborted mushrooms have pink spores. The aborted form does not have spores.
Season
They can be found in the autumn months. They coincide with the onset of the honey mushrooms.
Gills
The gills of the non-aborted form are somewhat grey at first, developing pink tomes with age and attached. They are slightly decurrent. Gills are not present on the aborted fruits.
Edibility
NEVER consume this fungi until you have learned proper identification from a professional in person! ONLY the aborted form of this mushroom is edible unless you are HIGHLY SKILLED at identifying gilled mushrooms. The gilled version is safe to consume EXCEPT they closely resemble other Entolomas which may be poisonous. Be sure to gather only white fruits that have few or no cracks on the top. They must feel dense, not spongy. Sometimes there are air spaces in the aborted form. They become waterlogged quite easy so it is best not to cook these. They must be cooked and have a very strong mealy flavor.
Other Name
Shrimp of the Woods.
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