John Rappa stands proudly over a huge mushroom that he found – although he won’t reveal the location in which he found it outside of a vague “in the Warwick area.” The formidable fungi is a “grifola frondosa,” much more commonly known in Italian cuisine as a signorina mushroom or colloquially as “hen-of-the-wood.” The edible mushroom is a staple in many Italian specialty dishes, and can fetch as much as $15 per pound. This one was estimated to weigh as much as 20 to 25 pounds. (Warwick Beacon photo)