Discovery of rare mushroom in northern B.C. a biology mystery

A few weeks ago, while jumping logs and crossing creeks near northern B.C.’s Nechako River, hiker Cynthia Andal spotted something that stopped her in her tracks. 

Hidden in the underbrush, she found about two dozen fist-sized, leathery brown blobs filled with black gel. 

“I just stood there in awe for a few moments and I’m thinking this is witches cauldron. I always wanted to see this, for years,” said Andal, who lives in Isle Pierre, west of Prince George. 

“It’s like it’s