Djon-djon market in Brooklyn, New York

1.  Bags of djon-djon (Creole for "mushroom"), star anise and dried shrimp for sale from a street vendor on Church Ave. in Flatbush.  $1 a bag for the djon-djon.  The species may be undescribed and more than one species may be involved.  Dr. Jean Lodge found in  specimens that she examined an affinity to Psathyrella coprinoceps.  In 1993, Brian Akers and Fabienne Boncy claimed similarity with P. hymenocephala.  Djon-djon habitat and substrate seem unknown except by collectors in Haiti and, so far, I haven't found that they are revealing their spots!

2.  The mushrooms are sold along the sidewalk from makeshift stands.  They are said to be transported by travelers from Haiti.  Today, with midday temperatures in the low 30s, I counted six or seven vendors selling djon-djon and other wares on Church Ave.

3.  Djon-djon are also sold in neighborhood markets in the area, along with dried fish, tropical fruits and vegetables, and typical seasonings and other ingredients used in Spanish, Jamaican and Haitian cooking.  The markets are operated by Korean-Americans.

4.  Some of the djon-djon in markets are packed under brand names including Therbal Food Products and Angel Brand Co.  The center cluster above is labeled "dried mushrooms."  I have also seen packets labeled "Haitian black mushrooms," a reasonable English-language reference for the djon-djon.  Net weight indicated on the store packets, also priced at $1, is 1/4 ounce.

5.  In this photo inside a market, the string of bags above the head of the clerk on the left contain djon-djon.

6.  An awning along Church Ave. touting a "full line of West Indian products."

7.  Signage throughout the market streets of Flatbush reaches out to transplanted Haitians.