Rhodophyllus clypeatus (Haru-shimeji)

"Haru-shimeji", the Japanese name of Rhodophyllus clypeatus, means spring mushroom. This is one of my favorites because they appear in the best season of the year. You can see fresh green and wild flowers here and there if you go out to gather them. They grow under the tree of rose family, like apricot, peach and so on. A day under the lively orchard field is really the enjoyment in spring.

They are edible. The evaluation of the taste is divided. Some praise their clean-cut feeling highly, while others depreciate their smell. Belonging to Rhodophyllus family, they look like notorious Rhodophyllus rhodopolius. The difference is shown in their cap and stipe. The cap surface of R.clypeatus is silky while R. rhodopolius is smooth and waxy. The stipe of the former is solid and thick. The latter is weak and thin.

I can meet them in the orchid this year again. They are standing so cute.

Winter is over. Spring is here again. I go out cheerfully and talk to them, "How'z it go'in, cobbers ?" They put Mexican hats on and replied, " She'll be apples, mate !" See next photo. (25th April, 1999 at Tsukui)

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