PNW Common Mushrooms Flashcards
Memorization
lobster mushroom formation
Not a true mushroom; it’s a parasitic fungus that attacks certain mushrooms, transforming them.
lobster mushroom color
Bright orange to reddish exterior, resembling a cooked lobster.
lobster mushroom caution
Caution: Ensure proper identification, as some toxic mushrooms may be parasitized by Lobster Mushroom.
lobster mushroom harvest
Best when young and before the colors fade; harvest the entire mushroom. Late summer to fall.
chicken of the woods appearance
Bright orange or yellow, with shelf-like clusters of overlapping, fan-shaped caps.
chicken of the woods habitat
Typically found on the trunks of dead or dying hardwood trees. Late spring to fall.
chicken of the woods edibility
Edible when young and fresh; should be avoided if growing on conifers or treated wood.
chicken of the woods caution
Ensure proper identification; some species can cause allergic reactions.
chicken of the woods harvest
Best when young and before the edges become tough; harvest by cutting the tender edges.
Honey Mushroom habitat
Typically grows in large, dense clusters at the base of trees or on decaying wood. Grows in fall.
Honey Mushroom appearance
Cap is small to medium-sized, with a sticky, honey-colored surface when young. Stalk os thin and often has a ring; the base may have a distinctive white, cobweb-like mycelium.
Honey Mushroom cautions
Some individuals may experience gastrointestinal upset. Has toxic lookalikes.
Honey Mushroom harvest
Best when young, before the caps open fully; harvest the entire cluster.
Dryad’s Saddle appearance
Large, fan-shaped or saddle-shaped mushroom with distinctive brown scales on the cap.
Dryad’s Saddle habitat
Found on dead or living hardwood trees, particularly in the spring and fall.
Dryad’s Saddle cautions
Some individuals may be sensitive; cooking thoroughly is essential.
Shaggy Mane appearance
Young specimens have an elongated, cylindrical cap covered in shaggy, white to cream-colored scales. Gills: Initially white, then turn black and liquefy. Stalk: Tall and slender, often expanding at the base; white with a shaggy texture.
Shaggy Mane habitat
Found in grassy areas, lawns, or disturbed soil. Grows in late spring to fall.
Shaggy Mane harvest
Edible when young and before the gills start to liquify; should be consumed soon after harvest.
Shaggy Mane cautions
Avoid consumption if the gills have started to deliquesce, as they release spores and become unpalatable.
Porcini appearance
Cap is large, brown to reddish-brown, often smooth, and slightly sticky when young; convex shape, later flattening out. Underside: Pores instead of gills; initially white, aging to yellow and finally greenish as spores develop. Stalk: Thick, sturdy, and often bulbous at the base; whitish with a network-like pattern
Porcini habitat
Forms a symbiotic relationship with trees, commonly found in coniferous and deciduous forests. Grows in late summer to fall.
Porcini cautions
Toxic lookalikes
Turkey tail appearance
Thin, fan-shaped brackets with concentric rings of various colors, resembling the tail feathers of a turkey. Color: Varied with shades of brown, orange, green, and violet; colors may change with age.
Turkey tail habitat
Commonly found on fallen logs, stumps, and dead wood of hardwood trees. Grows year-round.
Turkey tail edibility
Generally not consumed, used more for medicinal purposes.
Black trumpet appearance
Trumpet-shaped, delicate, with a thin texture. Dark brown to black.
Black trumpet habitat
Wooded areas, associated with hardwoods. Find in late summer to fall.
Black trumpet cautions
Toxic lookalikes
Lion’s Mane appearance
White, shaggy, resembling a lion’s mane.
Lion’s Mane habitat
Grows on hardwood trees. Grows in late summer to fall.
King Bolete
Large, brown-capped with a thick stalk. Grows in late summer to fall.
Pig’s ears appearance
Irregular-shaped, pinkish.
Pig’s ears habitat
Coniferous and mixed forests. Grows in the fall.
West Coast Reishi appearance
Reddish-brown, kidney-shaped.
West Coast Reishi habitat
Grows on coniferous trees in western regions. Grows year-round, most common in the fall.
West Coast Reishi edibility
Medicinal use; bitter taste.
Quinine Conk appearance
Woody conk with a brown to reddish-brown surface.
Quinine Conk habitat
On hardwood trees, particularly oaks. Grows in fall to winter.
Quinine Conk edibility
Used for medicinal properties.
Bear’s Head Tooth appearance
Cascading, toothed white mushroom.
Bear’s Head Tooth habitat
Typically found on coniferous trees. Grows in late summer to fall.
Apricot Jelly appearance
Gelatinous, apricot-colored.
Apricot jelly habitat
Grows on decaying wood in coniferous and mixed forests. Grows in fall.
Apricot Jelly edibility
Edible but often used for ornamental purposes.
Horse Mushroom appearance
Large, white-capped with a prominent ring on the stalk.
Horse Mushroom habitat
Grassy areas, lawns, and meadows. Grows in the fall.
Western cauliflower mushroom
Distinctive, cauliflower-like with cream-colored, branching structures.
Western cauliflower habitat
Coniferous and mixed forests. Grows in the fall.
Common Puffball appearance
Spherical, white mushroom that releases spores when mature.
Common Puffball habitat
Grassy areas and open fields. Grows in late summer to fall.
Common Puffball cautions
Ensure proper identification; inhaling spores can be toxic.
Fairy ring appearance
Small, tan mushrooms often forming in rings.
Fly Agaric appearance
Iconic red-capped mushroom with white spots.
Fairy ring habitat
Grassy areas and lawns. Grows in late summer to fall.
Fly agaric habitat
Often associated with birch and coniferous trees.
Fly agaric edibility
Toxic and hallucinogenic.
Golden chanterelle appearance
Yellow to orange, funnel-shaped.
Golden chanterelle habitat
Forms symbiotic relationships with trees. Grows in late summer to fall.
Common ink cap appearance
Delicate, ink-cap-shaped with a conical cap.
Color: Gray to black.
Common ink cap habitat
Often found on lawns and grassy areas. Grows in late spring to fall.
Common ink cap edibility
Edible when fresh, but avoid alcohol.
Jelly ear appearance
Jelly-like, ear-shaped with a translucent brown color.
Jelly ear habitat
Grows on decaying wood. Grows in fall.
Jelly ear edibility
Edible, often used in Asian cuisine.
Jelly ear harvest
When mature
Saffron milkcap appearance
Orange-capped with orange milk that stains.
Saffron milkcap habitat
Symbiotic relationships with trees. Grows in late summer to fall.
Saffron milkcap edibility
Edible, with a peppery taste.
Mica cap appearance
Small, bell-shaped with a mica-like sheen on the cap. Brown with mica-like particles. Grows in late spring to fall.
Mica cap edibility
Edible when fresh.
Mica cap caution
Spores are released when mature, harvest young.
Larch Bolete appearance
Brown-capped with a distinctive network-like pattern on the stalk.
Larch Bolete habitat
Symbiotic relationships with trees. Grows in late summer to fall.
Larch Bolete edibility
Edible with a nutty flavor.
Meadow mushroom appearance
White-capped with pink gills.
Meadow mushroom habitat
Grassy areas, lawns, and meadows. Grows in the fall.
Meadow Mushroom edibility
Edible, resembling the cultivated white button mushroom.
Psilocybe appearance
Small, brown-capped with psychoactive properties.
Psilocybe habitat
Typically found on wood debris near coastal areas. Fall to winter.
Wavy cap appearance
Small, brown, wavy-capped with psychoactive properties. Late fall to winter.
Liberty cap appearance
Small, brown, conical-capped with psychoactive properties.
Liberty cap habitat
Typically found in grassy areas, particularly in late fall to winter.
Oyster mushroom appearance
Oyster-shaped with a delicate, smooth texture. White to cream colored.
Oyster mushroom edibility
Edible, mild anise-like flavor.
Oyster mushroom habitat
Grows on decaying wood. Fall, with some species growing in the spring.
