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Honey fungus is a parasitic and edible mushroom that spreads through rhizomorphs and can be found on dead trees or living plants. It should be cooked before consumption and misidentification can lead to health issues. To prevent infection, uproot and destroy colonized plants and treat the garden with products designed to retard the growth of the fungus.
Honey fungus, or Armillaria mellea, is a type of fungus usually found on the stumps and branches of dead trees. In some cases, the fungus is also parasitic on living plants, which will eventually kill them. For this reason, many gardeners dislike the mushroom very much, despite its value as a tasty edible mushroom. Depending on your stance on this mushroom, you may be horrified or delighted to find a patch. If you harvest them for food, be very cautious, as several toxic species strongly resemble honey mushrooms and misidentification can lead to stomach upset or potential neurological damage.
Honey fungus spreads through rhizomorphs, long roots that spread from the mycelium, the main body of the fungus. Rhizomorphs take the form of long, thin black taproots, resembling shoelaces. Mycelium is a thick white mat of material, usually found under the bark or surrounding the roots of a plant. When stimulated to grow in autumn, the mycelium emits fruit bodies, which take the form of classically shaped honey-colored mushrooms that can grow up to 20 cm. The cap has a darker center, glowing gold at the edges, and small scales, with a white print of spores. This fungus is among the largest living organisms in the world, with some recorded specimens having mycelium extending for miles.
This fungus can also be a very long-lived fungus if not eradicated by human intervention. Humans have had a long history with honey mushrooms, and the mushroom has been written about for thousands of years. In addition to being parasitic and edible, the honey mushroom is also bioluminescent and can cause a faint glow in the forest at night. In forests with large colonies, the glow can be quite distinctive in the fall when the fungus produces fruiting bodies.
This mushroom should not be eaten raw, due to the rare allergic reactions that can occur. Once cooked, however, the mushroom is perfectly safe with an earthy flavor that’s quite tasty sautéed and served plain or added to pasta dishes, stuffing, and stir-fries. Samples for consumption should be uniform in color and firm in texture, with no soft or sticky spots, and can be stored in a paper bag in the refrigerator for one week. Before use, the mushrooms should be gently brushed to remove any dirt.
If honey fungus is colonizing your garden, you need to act quickly. All colonized plants and trees should be uprooted and destroyed so that the fungus cannot spread. Additionally, you may consider treating the garden with products designed to retard the growth of the fungus. Some gardeners also recommend lining the beds with a thick plastic to protect plants from infection. To prevent infection, be sure to plant in clean, well-drained soil and provide proper nutrition. This fungus thrives on starving plants and in damp or wet areas.
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