Mushrooms
Horse Mushroom, Agaricus arvensis
The Horse Mushroom grows throughout most of Europe and North America in meadows, pastures and near stables. It likes nutrient rich soil, where it may form fairy rings. It is usually quite large.
While some mushrooms are edible, this art is not a guide for culinary mushroom hunters. Different mushroom species may look similar, yet be deadly poisonous.
Yellow Knight Tricholoma equestre
Yellow Knight or “Man on Horseback” demonstrates the danger. The National Institutes of Health reports of four cases of poisoning and one death caused by Tricholoma equestre. That some still consume this mushroom, makes it all the more confusing and dangerous.
Glistening Coprinus Coprinus micaceus
Glistening coprinus is a pretty, often honey brown or amber mushroom, which grows from April through October throughout most of North America and Europe in clusters on stumps and decaying wood.
Agrocybe praecox
Once referred to as Early Pholiota, Agrocybe praecox sprouts in late spring and in summer, usually after long rains. It can be found in open grassy areas, lawns, forest meadows, pastures, and roadsides in North America, Europe, and North Africa.
Meadow Mushroom Agaricus campestris
The Meadow Mushroom, commonly seen in grocery stores, usually appears after rains in lawns, pastures and open areas in late summer. Don’t harvest wild mushrooms unless you are expert. The Meadow Mushroom can be confused with similar looking poisonous mushrooms.
Parasol Mushroom Macrolepiota procera
The Parasol Mushroom grows in temperate regions around the world alone or in groups and fairy rings in pastures & forests. It may be eaten raw, but the stem is inedible. The cap of fresh specimens are a favorite when soaked in butter, but there are lookalikes that can destroy your liver. Buy mushrooms at the grocery store.
Fly Mushroom Amanita muscaria
The fly mushroom is more commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita. Three growth stages, the button stage and early growth above and mature stage below. This beautiful fungus has hallucinogenic properties and has caused serious mushroom poisoning cases.
Mature Fly Mushroom Amanita muscaria
Gypsy Mushroom Cortinarius caperatus
The gypsy mushroom is found in North America and Europe and is edible, but don’t be guided by these pictures. Identifying mushrooms is confusing for the novice and some mushrooms are deadly poisonous!
Honey Mushroom Armillaria Mellea
The honey mushroom grows on decaying and living trees and other plants the world over. It is edible, but varies in shape and color and can be confusing for non-experts to identify with certainty. All the more reason to leave mushroom hunting to the experts.
Saffron Milk Cap Lactarius deliciosus
Saffron milk cap can be found in North America and Europe, often under conifers. It is edible. Based on foods depicted in Roman art, it may have been consumed for centuries.
Jack-o’-lantern clitocybe illudens
Colorfully conspicuous in the day and also sometimes at night due to its occasional luminescence properties. Be careful not to confuse this toxic jack-o’-lantern with some of the similar in appearance and edible Chanterelle species in the genera Cantharellus, which are among the most popular of wild edible mushrooms.
Death Cap Amanita phalloides
Amanita phalloides, also sometimes referred to as “destroying angel”, is one of several deadly poisonous destroying angels, mushrooms in the genus Amanita. The Death cap has been introduced to new regions with the cultivation of non-native tree species. It should be obvious its name is derived from being mistaken for edible mushrooms of similar appearance.
False Death Cap Aminita citrina
Although not deadly, the false death cap is an inedible mushroom and is occasionally mistaken for the lethal death cap Amanita phalloides as well as additional deadly poisonous Amanita species historically referred to as the Destroying Angels.
