Due to the climatic conditions and the diversity of ecosystems, Galicia is a paradise for the fungi kingdom. We are talking about such a richness that there is a great diversity of species. In addition, there are more and more mycology students and enthusiasts. You only have to look at the number of mycological associations that exist in Galicia, very active groups in which seminars, conferences, outings… are held.
There is also the gastronomic question. Mushrooms contain a lot of water, but they also provide vitamins, potassium, phosphorus and selenium. With simple preparations they are very tasty, and there is an increasing demand and more and more restaurants are scheduling their autumn mushroom days.
In the end, mixing mycology, mycogastronomy and mycotourism, autumn arrives and everyone goes mad with mushrooms (and we are not referring to hallucinogenic mushrooms). When it comes to collecting them, there are two things to remember: trust only professionals when it comes to identifying mushrooms for consumption and don’t take more than two kilos per person per day if you don’t want to get a fine; the truth is that, with how little mushrooms weigh, it is enough. And, of course, respect private property, of course.
The most common mushrooms in Galicia are: Armillaria mellea, chanterelles, oyster mushrooms, milkcaps, parasols, boletus and charbonniers. There are many toxic mushrooms, apart from the well-known Amanita phalloides, such as the Amanita muscaria, the knight’s mushroom, the paxilo, the cicuta branca, the Amanita virosa, or the Cortinarius orellanus.
Well, since this is the best time of the year, let’s take the basket, the knife or penknife, and let’s go to the bush! But which mountain? Let’s take a walk around each province and see what we find.
A traditional area in A Coruña is A Serra da Capelada, where there is a lot of chanterelles (Lactarius deliciosus), typical of coniferous and coastal areas, and Boletus edulis (boletus, madeirudo, andoa cabaza), very prone to sprouting under oak trees. Of course, where the fungi kingdom expands abundantly is in pine forests and deciduous forests. We can go to Monte Xalo, Teixeiro, Curtis, As Pontes, Val de Loureda…
In the province of Lugo, the most common mushroom is the Boletus edulis, in areas of chestnut and pine forests, and the milk cap in pine forests and mixed forests; further south, the Amanita caesarea (Caesar´s mushroom) which is actually more typical of warmer areas, but it is well known that climate change affects everything. Mushroom paradises are O Courel, in the forests of Folgoso and Seoane and in the Devesa da Rogueira (lepiotas, milkcaps, amanitas) and Os Ancares (Boletus edulis and Boletus fuscoruber). The Ribeira Sacra is also very rich in mushrooms (boletus, russula, chanterelles, parasol mushrooms). Other destinations to go with your basket are O Incio (chanterelles, reticulated boletus, green-cracking russula) and, further north, A Serra do Xistral, where Boletus edulis, parasols (Macrolepiotas procera), russulas (Russula vesca) and chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius) are plentiful.
In the province of Ourense are very typical the cogordos (parasol mushrooms), tall and thin mushrooms that can reach up to 40 cm. Pena Folenche, in A Pobra de Trives, with so many chestnut groves and meadows, offers a great ecosystem for mushrooms (horse mushroom, fairy ring mushroom, parasol mushroom). In the Serra do Suído, which it shares with the province of Pontevedra, there are leafy areas of conifers with Boletus reticulatus, Boletus edulis, Hydnum repandum… The Ribeira Sacra in Ourense is also full of mushrooms.
In the mountains of Pontevedra, the most popular destinations for mushroom picking are O Vixiador, in Candeán, Marcosende, the area around Lake Castiñeiras and Monte Castrove, between Meis and Poio. Many species can also be found in the coastal pine forests of Illa de Arousa and O Grove, on the banks of the Ulla and in the carballedas and chestnut groves of Lalín, Silleda and Forcarei. The most common mushrooms are boletus, chanterelles, wood Heddehog, milkcaps and parasol mushrooms.
To learn more about our mycological wealth, the best thing to do is to do a bit of mycotourism and attend one of the many days and routes organised in autumn by various associations and groups, such as those held in Touro, Curtis, As Pontes, Laracha, Lugo, O Courel, Cedeira… There are also many mushroom festivals, such as those in Soutelo de Montes, Teixeiro, Paderne, Riós…
