With the popularity of “The Last of Us”, the world had its eyes on cordyceps, an eerie fungus that overtakes the brains of insects to reproduce. And momentarily, mushrooms were a point of interest, but that moment passed, and the world forgot their existence once again. However, there are many other kinds of mushrooms with unique qualities very close to home.
For example, red chantarelles, or Cantharellus cinnabarinus, have been documented in Harris County and the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. They’re distinct from regular chantarelles in their coloring, but they have the same fruity flavor that makes chantarelles desirable.
Also, in Harris County some have found Earth Stars, uniquely shaped mushrooms first known as “fallen stars” in the Blackfoot language and also used in traditional Chinese medicine. The specific variety documented in the Mushroom Observer was Geastrum triplex or the Collared Earth Star, which can be confused for other varieties.
However, most varieties are inedible, so there is little danger in misidentification. Additionally, Hygrocybe coccinea, more commonly known as Red Waxy Caps, are a bold red that can make the brightest flower petal seem dim.
While edible according to most sources, their color is of far more interest. Not every mushroom is a rarity or neon that demands attention, but they each have unique characteristics that make them worthy of attention. And with only 5% of fungi taxonomically classified, who knows what you might find?