Mushroom of the Month: Huitlacoche

The May mushroom of the month is #Huitlacoche or #Ustilagomaydis. 🙌 to Mike Davitt for naming that mushroom correctly and becoming the 954th member of Central Texas Mycology!

This year we are cultivating this experimental crop, and you can too! Huitlacoche straddles borders between a symbol of decay and a delicacy–across the US it is known as corn smut, and is considered a pathogenic fungus. In Central Mexico huitlacoche is a traditional part of the diet, a prized crop in itself, and a culinary delight. Enjoy this reel of Ustilago maydis grown and enjoyed by members over the past several years mixed with images of the 2023 crops currently being grown by members at @zilkerbotanicalgarden and a few other locations.

Visit our website blog to learn how you can grow it too. You can also sign up on our website to get Texas Gourd Seed Corn from @southernexposureseedexchange and a few other supplies to grow huitlacoche in your garden. There’s still time to plant your corn and join in the fun while supplies last. You can grow as much or as as little as a few plants in a container and be dining on delicious huitlacoche quesadillas this summer.

We have some corny prizes we will be giving away to people who successfully cultivate or accidentally grow Huitlacoche in 2023. If you have successfully grown Huitlacoche on corn, tag or DM us with your stories and recommendations!

You can enjoy Huitlacoche seasonally at several Mexican restaurants in the area including @fondasanmigueltx, @suerteatx, @lichascantina, @misaboroax, Hecho En Mexico, @nixtataqueria, @comedortx, @lacondesaaustin, @elnaranjoaustin

#huitlacoche #Ustilagomaydis #corntruffle #cornsmut #mushroomofthemonth