The plants of middle earth - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Fordim Hedgethistle · 07-12-2007, 08:57 AM

I know that technically mushrooms aren't plants, but I've always been a little curious as to what kind of mushrooms Hobbits have available, and more particularly which variety or varieties Farmer Maggot gives Frodo.

Alfirin · 07-12-2007, 03:19 PM

The common european white mushroom would be the most obvios choice but I've always though that a more fitting choice would be morels(members.fortunecity.com) They are tasty enough that someone might very well poach them, rare enough that it would make sense for someone to keep guards dogs to protect their crop, and most tellingly, one of the tradtional ways of eating them is fried with bacon just as Maggot served them to the hobbits.

Lalwendë · 07-13-2007, 07:47 AM

Ordinary British Field Mushrooms are now so rare that if there are any growing in a given area, the locals will be sworn to secrecy! Even in the 50s when organic cow farming (the type of pasture which produces the best mushies) was common, my dad was keen enough to get some from the fields on his RAF base that he risked riding his bike over the runway in the early morning fog in order to get his mushies. Nobody would have seen him sneak off for them - so nobody else would find out his source, but he also risked getting into serious trouble!

And I've just remembered a post I wrote about the Germanic custom of the Symbel - and it's links to the word Simbelmyne.

07-12-2007, 08:57 AM	#1
Fordim Hedgethistle Gibbering Gibbet Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Beyond cloud nine Posts: 1,844	Tomayto...Tomahto...Fungi...Flora I know that technically mushrooms aren't plants, but I've always been a little curious as to what kind of mushrooms Hobbits have available, and more particularly which variety or varieties Farmer Maggot gives Frodo. __________________ Scribbling scrabbling.

07-13-2007, 07:47 AM	#3
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Ordinary British Field Mushrooms are now so rare that if there are any growing in a given area, the locals will be sworn to secrecy! Even in the 50s when organic cow farming (the type of pasture which produces the best mushies) was common, my dad was keen enough to get some from the fields on his RAF base that he risked riding his bike over the runway in the early morning fog in order to get his mushies. Nobody would have seen him sneak off for them - so nobody else would find out his source, but he also risked getting into serious trouble! And I've just remembered a post I wrote about the Germanic custom of the Symbel - and it's links to the word Simbelmyne. __________________ Gordon's alive!

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07-12-2007, 03:19 PM	#2
Alfirin Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 435	The common european white mushroom would be the most obvios choice but I've always though that a more fitting choice would be morels(members.fortunecity.com) They are tasty enough that someone might very well poach them, rare enough that it would make sense for someone to keep guards dogs to protect their crop, and most tellingly, one of the tradtional ways of eating them is fried with bacon just as Maggot served them to the hobbits.