Kurils/Kunashir: Flora & Mushrooms on Kunashir Island
More then half of the Kunashir Island is protected as the Kurils National Park, preserving flora and fauna unique to the island chain. Geographically, Kurils are on the same latitude as the resort towns of Nice and Sochi, yet the climate is much cooler given cold currents around. The flora ranges from tropical magnolia and bamboo to spruce and firs. Tons of berries and mushrooms with almost no one to pick them (I found the Safdron Milkcap aka Lactarius Deliciosus – and like the Latin name implies it can be eaten raw!)
