Foraging for Shrimp of the Woods aka Aborted Entolomas
Avid mushroom foragers have likely heard of, and discovered, the all too popular fall polypore Hen of the Woods aka Maitake aka Grifola Frondosa aka Sheeps Head. They’ve also likely ran across the vibrant and stunning Chicken of the Woods aka Sulfur Shelf aka Laetiporus Sulphureus known for the bright orange and yellow thick fleshy shelves formed on dying trees (the yellow in color resulting from the high concentration of sulfur in this fungus). However, it is not as common to meet a forager who has experienced the pleasure of stumbling across the unique specimen known as the Shrimp-of-the-Woods aka Aborted Entolomas (Entoloma Abortivum) frequently found amongst decaying wood.
Depending on which theory one supports, it could be a rare combination of factors which brings forth the Shrimps. First, the woods must support and produce Entoloma mushrooms of which there are a wide variety (approximately 1,000 species). Their grey gills mature into a pink color and in their proper form they are not a show stopper- although they are pretty phallic in appearance and carry a waxy silver/gray exterior (see photos below).
The first, and oldest theory, proposed the Shrimp-of-the-Woods was simply an aborted Enotoloma mushroom hence the common name Entoloma Abortivum. However, in 1947, a mycologist by the name of Watling, proposed the Honey Mushroom aka Armillaria Mellea (not the Ringless Honey Mushroom aka Armillaria Tabescens) aborts the neighboring Entoloma resulting in the lumpy, prawn shaped, Shrimp-of-the-Woods mushroom. This proposal followed his discovery of Armillaria Mellea cells within the Aborted Entoloma species. The third theory, which came about in 2001, suggests the opposite of Watling’s- hypothesizing the Entoloma to be playing the role of the parasitizing species and the Honey Mushroom to be the aborted fungus commonly referred to as Entoloma Abortivum.
Although my discovery of Shrimp-of-the-Woods did occur on the same day I’d found some Honey Mushrooms (these are commonly late summer/early fall species) there fruitbodies were notably located far apart from one another. Uniquely, the Honey Mushrooms are notorious for permeating dark and bioluminescent coiled mycelium which abounds dominating the woods’ soil. As visible in the embedded photos below the Entolomas stood strong neighboring the aborted Shrimps. The absence of any neighboring visible Honey Mushroom fruitbodies could easily leave the forager believing the Shrimps are simply an Entoloma gone awry. However, if the habitat does not support healthy growth of the Entoloma then why wouldn’t all the Entolomas be in the aborted form? It’s hard to say but perhaps the Honey Mushroom mycelium, which spans the woods, had aborted the Entoloma specimens or vice versa the Honey Mushroom had tried to take over the Entoloma habitat and, in dominating response, the Entolomas parasitized the developing Honey fruitbodies.
Note the present Entoloma aside the spongy Entoloma Abortivum!
Note the prawn shape of the Shrimp-of-the-Woods!
Once you’ve found one, slow down, there’s likely plenty around!
See the massive Entoloma Abortivum in the hole underneath this decaying tree?!
These little white guys are unique in form and easy to spot on the fall woods floor!
