Matsutake

The Matsutake here on Vancouver Island is the Tricholoma magnivelare. It is most often confused with Tricholoma caligatum and Catathelasma ventricosum. Caligatum is bitter and odorless, and ventricosum has gills that run down the stem. The only non-edible mushroom an experienced forager is likely to confuse with the Matsutake is Smith's Amanita, a poisonous mushroom that often causes kidney failure.

Today I found my first Matsutake of the season.

Here are a few choice links from others on the Matsutake:

From Mike Orr: 

An interesting video from David Pilz - Mycologist: https://vimeo.com/16682565

Great article on cooking Matustake: http://honest-food.net/2012/12/19/matsutake-mushroom-recipe/