Costmary

 Tanacetum balsamita

Costmary is a native of the Orient, but has now become naturalized in many parts of the world.  While not as popular today as it was historically it has a particular charm in the garden; if given room to spread out.   The scent of the leaves is the quality of Costmary people find soothing; it has a balsam smell with a slight mint aroma.   

Below are a few of the uses of Costmary:

Costmary is a lovely garnish for lemonades, iced teas and other beverages. When the leaves are young it can be added to fruit salads, cold soups and green salads.

Use the leaves for a bookmark.  Dry leaves between layers of clean paper, under a heavy weight; this will ensure that pages of the book don’t warp or become discolored with use.

The fresh leaves can also be used much like geranium leaves by laying them in the baking pan before pouring in the batter for a cake or other baked dessert.

Rinse water: use in rinse water after wash cycle

• 2 tablespoons dried costmary
• 2 cups boiling water
• Glass bowl
• Infuse for 1-2 hours
• Strain
• Use in rinse water

Lantern Stinkhorn mushroom

 Lysurus mokusin

The Lantern Stinkhorn is mushroom generally found in disturbed areas where the soil is hard packed and/or shallow but contains adequate organic matter for growth of the fruit/mushroom itself.  The one in the photo was growing in soil with shallow fig roots over which thick sheet mulching had been applied the year before.

These tall mushrooms are strange looking and are harmless enough to your gardens.  But don’t eat them!  Never eat wild mushrooms unless a professional mycologist has told you it is safe or you have years experience working with our fungal friends. 

If you want to grow edible mushrooms check out Paul Stamets website, Fungi Perfecti, for some of the best info on the web.  Locally check out Mushroom Adventures in Marysville, northern California.

UPDATE: An article about Mushroom kits mentions Mushroom Adventures! Wall Street Journal, January 26, 2011 The Science Project You Can Eat By Anne Marie Chaker