What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered.-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Learn To ID Some Edible Wild Mushrooms And Some To Avoid.
It has been estimated that more than 10,000 species of mushrooms are found in the United States so trying to teach you them all is just not going to happen! What I did decide to do was to show you mushrooms that I regularly see and have foraged in the woods and open areas that are fairly easy to identify to get you started. *I WILL be continuing to update as mushrooms are fascinating things....
I cant stress enough that the most important rule of foraging mushrooms is never eat anything you are not 100% sure of, "When in doubt, throw it out" It is vital to start with that very important phrase, being able to identify what you are about to eat is importantl!
Having said that, mushrooms are an amazing source of happiness and satisfaction to collect and a low energy way to feed yourself in any survival situation.
CLICK HERE to learn what to do if you or a pet has eaten what you think may be a poisonous mushroom.
Chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius)
Scaly or Wooly Chanterelle (Turbinellus floccosus)
Scaly or Wooly Chanterelle (Turbinellus floccosus)
Did you know there are Golden, Red and Black chanterelles? CLICK HERE to learn how to identify, prepare and cook them!
Scaly or Wooly Chanterelle (Turbinellus floccosus)
Scaly or Wooly Chanterelle (Turbinellus floccosus)
Scaly or Wooly Chanterelle (Turbinellus floccosus)
Its also known as the shaggy or false chanterelle. Children call them Fairy Cups! Can cause upset in SOME people CLICK HERE to learn more
Jack O lanterns (Omphalotus olearius)
Scaly or Wooly Chanterelle (Turbinellus floccosus)
Jack O lanterns (Omphalotus olearius)
NOT EDIBLE: Sometimes confused with chanterelle. It uses the same chemical as fireflies to glow in the dark. CLICK HERE to learn how to identify
Hedgehog Mushroom (Hydnum repandum)
Types of Coral Mushroom ( Artomyces pyxidatus)
Jack O lanterns (Omphalotus olearius)
This sweet tasting mushroom has spikes underneath its cap! Its also one of my autumn favorites on the Alone Show CLICK HERE to learn more
Types of Coral Mushroom ( Artomyces pyxidatus)
Types of Coral Mushroom ( Artomyces pyxidatus)
Types of Coral Mushroom ( Artomyces pyxidatus)
There are a few types of Coral Mushroom, almost all of them edible but a few that are not, CLICK HERE to learn.
Devils tooth Mushroom (Hydnellum peckii)
Types of Coral Mushroom ( Artomyces pyxidatus)
Types of Coral Mushroom ( Artomyces pyxidatus)
When Devils Tooth FUngus is young you cant miss this amazing mushroom, kids and adults alike LOVE IT! CLICK HERE to learn more about it
Bears Head Mushroom (Hericium americanum)
Coral Toothed Mushroom (Hericium coralloides)
Coral Toothed Mushroom (Hericium coralloides)
Bears Head Tooth and Lions Mane are often mistaken for each other & that's understandable!. CLICK HERE to learn about Bears Head
Coral Toothed Mushroom (Hericium coralloides)
Coral Toothed Mushroom (Hericium coralloides)
Coral Toothed Mushroom (Hericium coralloides)
Coral tooth mushroom is incredibly easy to identify because of its very striking design CLICK HERE to learn more.
Lions Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)
Coral Toothed Mushroom (Hericium coralloides)
Lions Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)
To be honest, As well as being a fantastic mushroom to cook with what this mushroom CANT help heal is unknown..CLICK HERE to learn more
Resinous Polypore (Ischnoderma resinosum)
Lobster Mushrooms (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
Resinous Polypore (Ischnoderma resinosum)
I love finding this edible mushroom in the autumn, CLICK HERE to learn how I fill dumplings and pasties with it!
Shrimp of the Woods (Entoloma abortivum)
Lobster Mushrooms (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
Resinous Polypore (Ischnoderma resinosum)
SO easy to cook! These are created by a reaction of Entoloma to the Honey Mushroom, CLICK HERE to see more
Lobster Mushrooms (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
Lobster Mushrooms (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
Lobster Mushrooms (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
This prized orange edible occurs when a parasitic fungus attacks a particular type of mushroom CLICK HERE to ID
False Parasol: Chlorophyllum molybdites
Lobster Mushrooms (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
Probably the most common cause of mushroom poisoning (but never yet causing death) in the U.S. People often eat this mushroom thinking it is a shaggy mane. CLICK HERE to learn how to ID
Different types of Milkcap mushrooms (Lactarius)
Milk Caps have been used historically throughout the world as a reliable food source, dye and ink. CLICK HERE to learn about a few of them.
Horn of Plenty (Craterellus cornucopioides)
The Horn of Plenty has a few names but the most important thing about this hard to spot edible mushroom is that it is related to the chanterelle, sometimes referred to as a Black Chanterelle. CLICK HERE to learn more about ID, how to cook and where to find it.
The usually abundant Painted Sillus (Suillus spraguei)
(Pleurotus ostreatus) Oyster Mushrooom: A hunter of the mushroom world
(Coprinus comatus)Shaggy Mane: A hunter of the mushroom world
These wonderfully hardly mushrooms are very abundant and easy to see in the woods.Its a very fun beginner choice because they grow in groups. CLICK HERE to learn about a Christmas Medieval receipy to cook them!
(Coprinus comatus)Shaggy Mane: A hunter of the mushroom world
(Pleurotus ostreatus) Oyster Mushrooom: A hunter of the mushroom world
(Coprinus comatus)Shaggy Mane: A hunter of the mushroom world
Shaggy manes form small spiny structures in the soil, which can tear through the skin of nematodes. They're awesome hunters and make great eats too. CLICK HERE to learn more about this abundant mushroom in rich soils.
(Pleurotus ostreatus) Oyster Mushrooom: A hunter of the mushroom world
(Pleurotus ostreatus) Oyster Mushrooom: A hunter of the mushroom world
(Pleurotus ostreatus) Oyster Mushrooom: A hunter of the mushroom world
Oyster mushrooms are shell shaped fungi that grow in tiers or fabulous clusters. A year round grower, you are likely to find new clusters after heavy rains. CLICK HERE to learn a few of the 200+ varities
Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus)
Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus)
In addition to its antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and hormone-regulating properties, chicken-of-the-woods is just plain delicious CLICK HERE
Berkleys Polypore (Bondarzewia berkeleyi)
Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus)
My kids called it Tree Blossoms when they were younger as they were so beautiful! A wonderful find on any foraging walk. Click here to learn more about them.
Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa)
Black Staining Polypore ( Meripilus sumstinei)
Looking like a ruffled chicken, the edible hen of the woods mushroom grows like large circular bouquet of spoon-shaped caps CLICK HERE to learn about them
Black Staining Polypore ( Meripilus sumstinei)
Black Staining Polypore ( Meripilus sumstinei)
Finding this really delicious mushroom always makes me happy! Find out how to identify it and a delicious way to cook it too!
Slime Mold (Physarum polycephalum)
Slime Mold (Physarum polycephalum)
Brainless, Footless Slime Molds Are Weirdly Intelligent and VERY Mobile. CLICK HERE to learn about how smart and colorful they are
Big & Small Puffball Mushrooms (Calvatia gigantea) (Lycoperdon perlatum)
Big & Small Puffball Mushrooms (Calvatia gigantea) (Lycoperdon perlatum)
Big & Small Puffball Mushrooms (Calvatia gigantea) (Lycoperdon perlatum)
Puffballs can as much as 10 pounds and can be as small at a golf ball. This amazing mushroom has been used historically as food, mixed with spiders web and used as a medicine and also for storytelling. CLICK HERE to find out more
Old Man Of the Woods (Strobilomyces strobilaceus)
Big & Small Puffball Mushrooms (Calvatia gigantea) (Lycoperdon perlatum)
Big & Small Puffball Mushrooms (Calvatia gigantea) (Lycoperdon perlatum)
IF I do find this mushroom, I am a happy camper. Its always growing in stealth mode in the woods and rarely more than two together.
CLICK HERE to learn about its beautiful stain when cut and a fun way to cook with it!
Turkey tail fungus, (Tramates versicolor
Big & Small Puffball Mushrooms (Calvatia gigantea) (Lycoperdon perlatum)
Turkey tail fungus, (Tramates versicolor
This wonderful mushrooms is also known as the Cloud Fungus and has been used for thousands of years to maintain immunity and boost health for people all over the world. Turkey Tail grows year round and has no poisonous look A-Likes. CLICK HERE to learn more and how to store
lingzhi, or reishi (Ganoderma)
lingzhi, or reishi (Ganoderma)
Turkey tail fungus, (Tramates versicolor
Ganoderma,mushroom is known as a medicinally important mushroom. It is being used in clinical, pharmaceutical, and nutritional industries for the treatment of various diseases such as migraine, hypertension, asthma, hepatitis, cancer, and cardiovascular problems. CLICK HERE to learn how to identify some of the more well known ones found in America.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
lingzhi, or reishi (Ganoderma)
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
Used for thousands of years all over the world as a way of boosting your immunity, lowering blood sugars and linked to suppression of certain cancer growth, this is a wonderful addition to your foraging knowledge CLICK HERE to learn about where to find it and how to use it.
IMPORTANT TO READ ABOUT THIS GUIDE:
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Wild Foods and Wilderness takes no responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
