11 Edible Mushrooms in the U.S. (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic

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11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic)

11 Edible Mushrooms in the U.S. (And How to Tell They’re Not Toxic Lookalikes)

December 4, 2018 | Kayla Fratt

Mushroom hunting is a rewarding way to get outside and learn more about nature. There are many different edible mushrooms in the United States, including tasty chanterelles and morels.

Mushroom hunting can also be quite dangerous – many mushrooms are very similar in appearance. It’s easy to accidentally gather the wrong mushrooms, with devastating (or even deadly) consequences. When in doubt, throw the mushrooms 2 out.

It’s best to learn about mushroom hunting and identication from an expert (or at least a detailed mushroom guidebook). Don’t just skim through a few photos and go out to sample the ‘shrooms – be thorough about your research into lookalikes, dening characteristics, collection, and storage. https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 1/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic) Using staining and examining spores might be necessary to properly identify edible mushrooms – that’s why it’s important to get help!

Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the common (and tasty) edible mushrooms of the United States!

#1: Morel Mushrooms (Morchella esculenta)

Range: Found across much of the U.S., especially under hardwood trees in orchards, burn areas, and disturbed grounds. Harvest Season: A short time in springtime – exact window varies based on 2 location.

Identifying Characteristics: Distinctive “honeycombed” cap, deeply wrinkled and yellow-grey. Hollow through the center. 2 to 9 centimeters tall by 2 to 5 centimeters thick.

https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 2/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic) Dangerous Lookalikes: Few mushrooms share the same honeycombed top. When in doubt, throw ’em out.

Preparation: Strong taste, best cooked in butter and often paired with leeks.

#2: Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarus and more than 15 other species)

Range: Found across North America, Eurasia, Central America, and Africa, mostly in coniferous forests (but may be found in grasslands, mountainous birch forests, or beech forests depending on the location and specic species). They generally grow in clumps among the moss. 2 Harvest Season: Late summer through December, depending on the area and species.

Identifying Characteristics: Yellow or golden mushrooms, funnel-shaped, and meaty. Under the cap run gill-like ridges that run down the stem. Chanterelles may smell fruity, woody, or earthy. https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 3/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic)

Dangerous Lookalikes: The false chanterelle is darker (almost orangeish) and has a darker center that grades out towards light edges. It’s not dangerous, but tastes bad and might upset your stomach. Jack-o-lantern mushrooms can be confused for chanterelles. The gills of a jack-o-lantern mushroom are much thinner, deeper, and delicate than the smooth, blunt, and shallow gill-like ridges of a chanterelle. Jack-o-lantern mushrooms are toxic.

Preparation: Chanterelles often have a mildly peppery taste. They’re quite rich and often cooked with butter, wines, or creams.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia commons.

#3: Fairy Ring Mushroom (Marasmius oreades) 2

Range: Widely distributed across North America. Prefers to grow in grassy areas such as lawns, elds, or even dunes. They often grow in the craters where stumps used to be.

https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 4/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic) Harvest Season: Summer and fall, may grow year-round in warm climates.

Identifying Characteristics: These small mushrooms grow in a ring or arc. The cap is generally 1 to 5 centimeters across. When young, the cap might be slightly inrolled but it becomes upturned as the mushroom matures. The cap is sometimes described as nipple-like, with a prominent center. The fairy ring mushroom is dry and bald, generally a pale tan or buff (but may be white). The stem is very tough (this is one of the most reliable identication characteristics for this edible mushroom) and may or may not be attached to the gills. The spore print will be white. Read more about identifying fairy ring mushrooms here.

Dangerous Lookalikes: Clitocybe dealbata is similar but does not have a tough stem. The gills are much more crowded than the fairy ring (which has well-spaced gills).

Preparation: Remove the stem, leaving the cap intact. Rinse with cold water if needed, then let dry. They don’t have a strong taste, so use more basic recipes to let their avor shine.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia commons.

https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 5/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic) #4: Sweet Tooth, Wood Hedgehog, or Hedgehog Mushroom (Hydnum repandum)

Range: Widely recorded in North America, Europe, Australia, and northern Asia.

Harvest Season: Summer and fall.

Identifying Characteristics: The wood hedgehog has spines or teeth on the underside of the cap rather than ridged gills – these are the dening characteristic of the species! Viewed from above, it is similar in shape to a chanterelle (but is pale orange-ish tan rather than golden in color). This mushroom bruises dark orange or yellowish brown. The cap is varied in shape, generally broadly convex and 2 to 17 centimeters across.

Dangerous Lookalikes: No poisonous lookalikes, though this species may be confused with related North American species Hydnum albidum and Hydnum albomagnum.

Preparation: The wood hedgehog has a sweet and nutty taste. It’s crunchy and can be frozen.

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Photo courtesy of Wikimedia commons.

#5 Meadow Mushroom or Field Mushroom (Agaricus campestris)

Range: This species is found across North America, Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and New Zealand. It’s generally found in grassland and may grow alone or in a “fairy ring.”

Harvest Season: Spring, summer, or fall after rain.

Identifying Characteristics: The meadow mushroom has a white cap that’s 5 to 10 centimeters across. The cap is at when the mushroom is mature. Underneath the cap, you’ll nd pink gills in young mushrooms, reddish-brown in juvenile mushrooms, and dark brown gills in mature mushrooms. The stipe (stalk) is 3 to 10 centimeters tall. The esh of the mushroom bruises to a reddish brown color and the spore print is dark brown.

Discard any specimens that do not have the distinct pink gills. Take extra caution with white mushroom species – there are fatal lookalikes.

Dangerous Lookalikes: This species is closely related to several species – some are deadly, others are edible. Amanita virosa is deadly and resembles the meadow mushroom when it’s young. Just one cap is enough to kill a person. The gills of the deadly Amanita virosa are white, as is the spore print. Amanita bisporigera and Amanita ocreata are also toxic lookalikes found in North America. A. ocreata can be identied by whitish gills and white to pinkish fruiting bodies. A. bisporigera also has white gills. These mushrooms are some of the most poisonous known mushrooms and cause liver failure. They’re collectively known as “destroying angel mushrooms.”

Other lookalikes include Agaricus xanthodermus, which causes gastronomical upset and can be identied by a yellow stain that appears in the stipe (stem) when cut, and Agaricus arvensis, which is also edible. Agaricus arvensis has white gills (like the deadly Amanita virosa) when young, but they become a dull chocolatey color in adulthood. Agaricus arvensis often smells similar to anise. These lookalikes highlight the reason that it’s so important to get help from an expert when learning to identify mushrooms! 2

Preparation: This mushroom tastes much like the button mushroom, but has a shorter shelf life. It’s tasty when sauteed, fried, or even raw on salads.

https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 7/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic)

#6 Shaggy Mane Mushroom, Lawyer’s Wig, Shaggy Inkcap, or Maned Agaric (Coprinus comatus) 2 Range: Grasslands and meadows across North America and Europe.

Harvest Season: June through November, depending on temperature.

Identifying Characteristics: This species is only edible when immature – before the gills turn black. It’s got a shaggy cap that droops over much of the stem when https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 8/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic) young and is covered in loose scales. The gills rapidly turn from white to pink to black. This species must be harvested before the gills turn black.

Dangerous Lookalikes: The maned agaric can be confused with the common ink cap, which can induce vomiting, diarrhea, and other unpleasant symptoms if eaten within a few hours of consuming alcohol. The symptoms can be frightening but will subside without further consumption of alcohol. The severity of these symptoms is generally proportional to the amount of alcohol consumed.

Preparation: This mushroom carries lots of water, making it a good addition to soups and stocks, including risotto.

Photo taken by Don Loarie and shared courtesy of Flickr. 2

#7 Hen of the Wood, Ram’s Head, Sheep’s Head, Signorina, or Maitake (Grifola frondosa)

https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 9/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic) Range: This mushroom is found at the base of trees, especially oak trees in China, Japan, and northeastern North America. It has been reported as far west as Idaho.

Harvest Season: Late summer to early autumn after rain. This is a perennial mushroom that often grows in the same place year after year, but only for very short lifespans.

Identifying Characteristics: This tuber-like mushroom grows in a large clump that some describe as coral-like. The caps are greyish-brown that are curled or spoon- shaped. The mushroom can grow up to 100 pounds in Japan, but is often much smaller. Stipes (stalks) are white and branching. They become quite tough as the mushroom ages.

Dangerous Lookalikes: There are no toxic lookalikes to the Hen of the Woods, but it may be confused with Meripilus giganteus, which is also edible. M. giganteus is thicker and stains black along the edges.

Preparation: Harvest with a knife – cutting this mushroom requires a large one. Harvest when the mushroom is young for best avor and texture. This mushroom is common in Japanese cuisine and is tasty sauteed in butter or olive oil, or as part of many dishes.Visit Site

https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 10/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic)

Photo taken by Katja Schulz.

#8 Bear’s Head Tooth, Monkey’s Head, Pom Pom, Bearded Hedgehog, or Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Genus Hericium)

Range: These species are found across the world, particularly in the north in alpine forests or deciduous forests. Like many other mushrooms, they grow well in shaded areas on rotten logs.

Harvest Season: Autumn.

Identifying Characteristics: This mushroom may resemble hundreds of tiny icicles 2 dangling from a log or from the sturdy stalks of the mushroom. It’s quite distinctive. All white parts of the mushroom are edible.

Dangerous Lookalikes: All four species found in North America are edible. Dangerous lookalikes may exist in other parts of the world. https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 11/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic) Preparation: Cook in butter or use in soups later in the winter.

#9 Giant Puffballs (Calvatia gigantea)

Range: The giant puffball is found in temperate areas around the world, mostly in meadows, elds, and deciduous forests.

Harvest Season: Late summer to early fall. 2 Identifying Characteristics: Giant puffballs generally grow 10 to 50 centimeters across, though they reportedly can grow up to 150 centimeters across! The inside of a mature giant puffball is greenish brown. They’re edible when young, when the inside esh is white rather than greenish brown. They’re dangerous to eat when mature!

https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 12/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic) Dangerous Lookalikes: All true puffball species are edible when young but toxic in adulthood. Cut them open to ensure they’re white before eating. The trouble is that puffballs may resemble many other species of mushroom when young, including some very toxic species. To tell them apart, cut the mushroom open. Puffballs will have a solid white interior, while lookalikes may be other colors. Other toxic lookalikes have a white interior but show the silhouette of a cap or gills when cut – ensure that these are absent before eating.

Giant puffballs may also be confused with earthballs, particularly in the U.K. Earthballs are darker on the inside early in development – but may still be white when young. The skin of an earthball is rm and punctuated with wartlike bumps. Ensure that the puffball is smooth, has a stem, and is white before eating. When in doubt, throw it out!

Preparation: Do not wash – this fungus will soak up water. They can be stored for a few days in the refrigerator without losing much quality.

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#10 Sulphur Shelf Mushroom or Chicken Mushroom (Laetiporus sulphureus)

Range: Grows on dead or adult oak trees and several other species of hardwood, especially east of the Rocky Mountains.

Harvest Season: Generally summer, but can be found spring through summer if the 2 climate is right.

Identifying Characteristics: This bracket mushroom does not have gills. It’s large and orange or salmon-pink on top, with a bright yellow underside. They grow in

https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 14/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic) clumps along a variety of trees – primarily oak. Be sure you can identify the host tree accurately.

Dangerous Lookalikes: This species might be dangerous to eat if growing on certain trees, if eaten when it’s old, or improper cooking. Taste small, young, well- cooked bits before digging in. Specimens growing on several species of tree (pine, juniper, spruce, hemlock, eucalyptus, locust, r, or tamarack) are particularly suspect – avoid them. If you can’t identify the tree for sure because it’s dead, play it safe and skip the ‘shroom. Sulphur shelf mushrooms growing on the tree species listed are actually a different, toxic, species.

Preparation: Only the young caps of this mushroom are soft enough to cook – don’t bother with the tough stem or older specimens. They’re known for a rich, meaty avor.

#11 Black Trumpet Mushroom (Craterellus cornucopioides and related species)

https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 15/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic) Range: Across North America, especially in mossy hardwood forests (oak and beech are favorite neighbors). They often grow near washes and streams, preferring damp and dark areas.

Harvest Season: Summer and fall, through the winter in southern areas.

Identifying Characteristics: These mushrooms grow in leaf litter and can be very hard to spot. They grow in clusters, though, so if you nd one, you’re in luck! The cap of this mushroom is inky black, dark brown, or grey and vase- or trumpet- shaped. The underside is smooth with no gills, pores, or teeth. The top of the cap might have small scales, but the texture overall is smooth or slightly wrinkled.

Dangerous Lookalikes: None – this species is a good one for beginning foragers! The black urn mushroom is cup-shaped and not poisonous, but denitely not tasty!

Preparation: These mushrooms have a rich, smoky avor. Wipe clean, as they’re often quite dirty. A quick rinse is ok, but don’t drown them! They hold their avor well if dried. They’re delicious sauteed with garlic and oil, or powdered on soup or grains.

When it comes to mushroom hunting, be sure to keep the Dunning-Kruger effect in mind. This effect reminds us that we often have high condence in our skills when our skills are in fact low, and only become humble when we realize how complicated something is!

Be sure to get help from an expert and use gills, spore prints, and cuttings to identify mushrooms properly. There may be some dangerous lookalikes in your area, so local expertise is a must!

24 Comments Vikram on March 9, 2019 at 5:40 am Pleurus djomor, commonly known as pink oyster mushroom, is a 2 species of fungi in the family pleiotesses.

https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 16/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic)

Christi on September 13, 2019 at 6:31 pm

The mushroom shown for grifola frondosa (maitake/hen of the woods) appears to be a photo of Berkeley’s Polypore. A different, edible but not choice edible, mushroom

Jesi on September 21, 2019 at 10:34 pm

They make great burgers! I also agree but I see no staining so it’s up in the air

Jarrod Briggs on May 4, 2019 at 11:59 pm

I want to know if the ones on the cover are edible and the name??

Zhang Hang on May 25, 2019 at 3:39 am

It is morels and edible.

Richard E Johnson on May 7, 2019 at 7:06 pm

Ok I live in Wichita ks. There is some mushrooms that grow in my yard. They are white and I believe brown on the inside. How do I tell if I can pick them and eat them? 2 Reply

Ben Criswell on May 14, 2019 at 5:55 pm https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 17/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic) Hi Richard, have you tried PlantSnap to ID them yet? Our app works with most mushroom species, but always be sure to verify — if you’re not sure about the ID, try taking them into a farmers market and to get some help from the folks selling mushrooms there.

Jersey19GirL dog on May 20, 2019 at 4:36 am

w0W ! tHaNk YoU gUys so so so much. best site on the web today for the best information..you guys rock so good…please keep it up..you’re helping ALL so much.. ..tHaNk YouS !

timothy ellis on July 15, 2019 at 1:47 pm

nO DONT EAT THEM. EVERY YEAR SOMEBODY DIES BECAUSE THEY ATE A BROWN MUSHROOM IN THEIR YARD. iF you don’t know stick with the easy 3 Hen of the woods, chicken of the woods, and morels. There are no killer look alikes. for them. There is a false morel. Cut yours in half if it is not hollow toss it.

DW on May 18, 2019 at 2:08 am AZ mushrooms? What do they look like and are they edible? 2 Reply

Alice Wasick on May 25, 2019 at 6:34 am https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 18/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic) For those of you who don’t know how:

A spore print is taken by putting the spore-producing surface (gills (cut off the stem) or pores) face-down on a piece of white paper and cover with a cup/bowl for a few hours. When the mushroom is removed from the paper, you will hopefully have a spore print.

Stay away from Amanita! This group is poisonous and deadly in some cases! They all have the same features:

Pale-colored spores and gills, a cup around the bottom of the mushroom, most have a ring around the top portion of the stem (annulus), most have a bulging bottom to the stem with a membrane on it(volvo), and a membrane around the mushroom that breaks apart with age (universal veil). DO NOT EAT ANY MUSHROOM LIKE THIS

Ben Criswell on May 27, 2019 at 7:13 am

Thanks for sharing, Alice!

Debra Wooldridge on May 29, 2019 at 2:55 am

I love mushrooms but Im gonna do my pickins in the grocery store. Knowing me I would probably end up picking poison. I be SAFE rather than DEAD or SICK 

Reply 2

ROBERT KESSLER on August 10, 2019 at 11:22 am

Deb, not sure where you live but join a mushroom hunters club in your area. You learn how to identify and prepare. It’s https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 19/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic) informative, fun and nothing like hanging with a group of people with like minds.

Jesi on September 21, 2019 at 10:40 pm

Don’t be scared. The hunt is super fun and rewarding. Nature is a great place for inner therapy. Collect some, do spore prints (they’re beautiful I do them on canvases for art), take notes, I’ll see you with the rest of the myco heads later

Nik on July 17, 2019 at 2:14 pm

these are growing on an old apple tree. are they edible??

Jorey on September 14, 2019 at 2:40 pm

So I found this huge mushroom or something in my yard what is this and is it edible? Please let me know how can send u a picture of this

Christiana on September 14, 2019 at 9:20 pm

lol “giant puffballs”

Reply 2

Jesi on September 21, 2019 at 10:38 pm

https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 20/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic) What’s wrong with that term? I’ve seen them the size of exercise workout balls

Tim G. on October 3, 2019 at 11:57 am

Mushroom foraging is a lot of fun. Beware, there are many lookalikes that are poisonous. Try to go with an experienced forager or take some mycology classes. I personally pick 10 different kinds, some pictured and others not. I’ve been foraging for 40+ years.

Harry McVay on October 4, 2019 at 8:25 pm

For years in my college days I studied & hunted mushrooms but soon realized not easy to learn & would not let children along on hunting trips. A girl friend whom I personally educated ate,(to impress a friend) a baseball eld mushroom while playing softball. She came home sick in stomach we have here a common fairy ring mushroom Molybedon? Which I showed her stains in color when bruised. A particular Lactarius shroom I felt condent to pick. Once found Old Man of the Woods ….ugly mushroom but labeled very tasty. Nibbling on just a small piece of yellow mushroom. Testing; taste, chew small piece, wait, swallow a small piece, wait….got alarmingly sick with swollen wrists & ankles & a rash Combined with ‘heat exhaustion’ thought I was going to pass out before reaching car… I hiked alone during heat of the day, 3pm. With not enough water.

Reply 2

Jan on October 13, 2019 at 4:00 pm

https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/edible-mushrooms-united-states/ 21/25 11/29/2019 11 Edible Mushrooms in the US (And How to Tell They're Not Toxic) I found a mushroom in my garden I have never seen before. I cannot nd a picture that looks like it either. The stem is hollow white, the top is gray/green encasing the entire top half of the stem, and there is a small white button on the top. what is it?

Sharon on October 16, 2019 at 6:54 pm

Is it true that if worms eat them or beetles are on them then they are not poisonous. Surely nature would not eat poison would they?

Laurie Swanson on October 24, 2019 at 5:01 pm

Today I was outside saw white puff ball mushroom . Growing not far from a large tree in my yard. I know when I. Dought leave them alone. Are poisonous? I just want to know

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