Emma Wilson
Missouri is home to a rich variety of mushrooms, with its bountiful forests, moist woodlands, and diverse landscapes providing the perfect habitat for these fascinating fungi. While some mushrooms in Missouri are edible, like the Chanterelle, Morel, and Oyster mushrooms, others are toxic or even deadly poisonous, such as the False Parasol and Jack O' Lantern mushrooms. The fruiting season for mushrooms in Missouri typically begins in May and lasts through October, with early fall being one of the best times to search for them. However, the timing of mushroom growth can vary depending on weather conditions and the type of mushroom, with some species growing in winter or spring. As of April 2023, common mushrooms in Missouri include the Morel, Haymaker, and Ringless Honey mushrooms, while the Stalked Scarlet Cup is one of the first mushrooms to appear in spring.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms popping up in Missouri | Chanterelle, Fly Agaric, Morel, Haymaker, Jack O Lantern, Stalked Scarlet Cup, False Parasol, White Jelly Fungus, Black-staining Polypore, Reddening Lepiota, Scaly Ink Cap, Split Gill, Pear-shaped Puffballs, Turkey Tail Fungus, Honey, Bearded tooth/Lion's mane, Oyster, Puffballs |
| Time of the year | Spring to early winter |
| Fruiting season | May to October |
| Best time to search | Early fall |
| Location | Moist woodlands, river bottoms, hardwood forests, lawns, cracks in roads, grassy areas, local parks, decaying wood, well-decayed wood from hardwood trees, woodland settings, stumps, logs, fallen trees |
| Colour | Bright orange, yellow, brownish-black, white, pink, brown, red, green |
| Smell | Fruity, watermelon-like, unpleasantly smelly |
| Taste | Sour |
| Edibility | Edible, non-edible, poisonous |
| Rarity | Common, rare |
| Shape | Funnel-shaped, trumpet-shaped, rounded, bell-shaped, tall and cylindrical |
| Texture | Smooth, wrinkled, gill-like ridges |
| Size | One inch to a foot in diameter |
| Spore colour | White, yellow, brown, orange, dark yellow, dark orange, green |
| Stem colour | White, orange, dark yellow, thick, pale cream |
| Cap colour | Yellow, brown, flesh orange, white, pink, red, brown |
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What You'll Learn
- Chanterelle mushrooms are edible and grow in moist woodlands
- Morel mushrooms are Missouri's most popular mushroom
- Spring is the most popular season for mushroom hunting
- Jack-o'-lantern mushrooms are poisonous and similar to chanterelles
- Shaggy mane mushrooms are edible but can be confused with poisonous varieties
Chanterelle mushrooms are edible and grow in moist woodlands
Chanterelle mushrooms are edible and highly sought after by foragers and chefs alike. They are known for their distinct appearance, growing on the forest floor in moist woodlands. Chanterelles have a strong relationship with trees and are often found in established woodlands with mature forests.
Chanterelle mushrooms are easily identifiable by their funnel or trumpet shape and wavy cap edges. They are typically bright orange or yellow, although a less common variety, the black trumpet, is brownish-black. Chanterelles do not have gills, which distinguishes them from the similar but poisonous jack-o'-lantern mushroom.
These mushrooms favour moist environments and are often found in moist woodlands and river bottoms. They have a preference for growing near certain types of trees, such as maple, poplar, oak, birch, and beech. Chanterelles are also associated with conifers like pine and hemlock. Their growth is often stimulated by heavy rainfall, making them more prevalent in wet summers with consistent rain.
Foraging for chanterelle mushrooms can be a rewarding experience. They are known for their pleasant, fruity fragrance and are considered a culinary delicacy. When foraging, it is important to cut them rather than pick them, ensuring that the rooted area remains undisturbed to promote future growth.
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Morel mushrooms are Missouri's most popular mushroom
Morel mushrooms are Missouri's most popular fungus, with the state even hosting a Morel mushroom hunting season. These mushrooms are highly sought after, with hunters keeping a close eye on the weather and the Facebook page dedicated to Morel hunting in Missouri. The mushrooms typically pop up in high-quality forests at the base of trees like oak, hickory, maple, ash, elm, and cottonwood. They are also known to emerge at the base of native and non-native fruit trees.
Morel mushrooms usually appear in late March in the Bootheel region of Missouri, but in 2022, they were spotted as early as February across the state. This was due to unseasonably warm temperatures, causing the mushroom hunting season to start weeks in advance. Morel mushrooms are also known to have a long season, with their "fruiting season" lasting from May through October.
The early arrival of Morel mushrooms in Missouri is not an isolated incident. In recent years, the state has seen earlier starts to the Morel season as warmer temperatures arrive sooner. This trend has made Morel hunting more challenging, as it increases the risk of someone else harvesting the mushrooms before you.
While Morel mushrooms are the most popular, Missouri is home to a vast array of fungi. The state boasts over two thousand identified mushrooms, with new species being discovered and added to the list regularly. Chanterelle mushrooms, for example, are another variety that pops up in Missouri. These mushrooms have a fruity fragrance and are funnel- or trumpet-shaped with wavy cap edges. They are typically bright orange or yellow, although a species called the "black trumpet" is brownish-black.
Mushroom hunting is a popular activity in Missouri, with enthusiasts scouring the state's forests and parks to find and identify the diverse range of fungi that the state has to offer.
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Spring is the most popular season for mushroom hunting
In Missouri, for example, the state's most popular mushroom, the morel, usually starts to appear in late March. However, in some years, warmer temperatures cause an even earlier start to the season, with morels spotted as early as late February. Morel mushrooms are triggered by the shift from winter to spring, and they typically pop up when night temperatures are in the 50s and daytime temperatures consistently reach the 70s. This early start to the season can result in a longer hunting period, as temperature fluctuations may cause the fruiting process to slow down or stall.
Chanterelle mushrooms, another sought-after variety, also begin to emerge in Missouri during spring. Chanterelles have a distinctive funnel or trumpet shape, with wavy cap edges, and they are typically bright orange or yellow, although a rarer variety, the black trumpet, is brownish-black. These mushrooms grow in moist woodlands and river bottoms, often in scattered groups. Their fruity fragrance and edible nature make them a favourite among chefs.
Spring mushroom hunting offers a great opportunity for enthusiasts to explore nature and seek out these delicious fungi. However, it is crucial to be able to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms. For instance, the jack-o'-lantern mushroom, which resembles the chanterelle, has sharp, knife-like gills and can cause severe gastrointestinal issues if consumed. Therefore, mushroom hunters should always exercise caution and properly identify mushrooms before consuming them.
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Jack-o'-lantern mushrooms are poisonous and similar to chanterelles
Chanterelle mushrooms are starting to pop up in Missouri. These mushrooms are among the most prized edible mushrooms globally, with a pleasant, fruity fragrance and a funnel or trumpet shape. They are often bright orange or yellow, although the ""black trumpet" chanterelle is brownish-black.
However, it is important to be cautious when foraging for chanterelles, as they can be easily confused with the poisonous Jack-o'-lantern mushroom. Jack-o'-lantern mushrooms are also known as foxfire mushrooms or Omphalotus species. They are commonly found in the same hardwood forests as chanterelles during the summer and fall. Jack-o'-lantern mushrooms are usually much larger than chanterelles, with bright orange to orange-yellow flesh. They also have sharp, bendable, paper-like gills, while chanterelles have false gills that resemble blunt ridges.
One key distinguishing feature is the appearance of the underside of the cap. Chanterelles may have a smooth underside or a network of wrinkles and gill-like ridges, but these ridges are always blunt-edged. In contrast, Jack-o'-lantern mushrooms have sharp, knife-like gills. Additionally, when the stem of a Jack-o'-lantern mushroom is peeled, it reveals the same shade of orange as the outer flesh, whereas the inside of a chanterelle stem is paler.
It is crucial to accurately identify these mushrooms before consuming them, as mistaking one for the other can have dangerous consequences. One person recounted their experience of mistakenly cooking and eating Jack-o'-lantern mushrooms, resulting in vomiting and illness. Therefore, when hunting for chanterelles in Missouri or elsewhere, it is essential to carefully examine the characteristics of the mushrooms to ensure they are safe for consumption.
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Shaggy mane mushrooms are edible but can be confused with poisonous varieties
Mushrooms are popping up in Missouri, particularly in yards and lawns. Chanterelle mushrooms, which are edible, are among the varieties that are growing in the state. These mushrooms are bright orange or yellow, though the "'black trumpet' variety is brownish-black. They are funnel- or trumpet-shaped and have wavy cap edges.
Shaggy mane mushrooms (Coprinus comatus) are edible but can be confused with poisonous varieties. They are considered a favourite gourmet mushroom by many and are often found in suburban areas, making them ideal for beginner mushroom foragers. Shaggy mane mushrooms have distinctive features, including conical caps with upturned scales, giving them a shaggy appearance. They are also known as shaggy ink caps or lawyer's wig mushrooms.
When young, shaggy mane mushrooms are white with whitish tan to reddish-brown scales. As they mature, the caps become bell-shaped and the gills beneath the cap turn from white to pink to black. Shaggy mane mushrooms are saprotrophic, feeding on dead and decomposing organic matter, and can be found growing on compost or decomposing wood. They are also known to grow on lawns, especially after rain, and can be cultivated for culinary purposes.
However, it is important to distinguish shaggy mane mushrooms from similar-looking poisonous varieties. One such variety is the "Alcohol Inky Cap" or "common ink cap," which lacks the shaggy texture on its cap and contains coprine, a mycotoxin that causes adverse reactions when combined with alcohol. Another poisonous look-alike is the green-spored lepiota, or "false parasol," which can cause severe gastrointestinal issues, including vomiting and diarrhoea.
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Frequently asked questions
Missouri is home to a variety of mushrooms, including chanterelle, morel, jack-o'-lantern, shaggy mane, and puffball mushrooms.
Mushrooms in Missouri typically start growing in the spring, with another smaller uptick in growth during the fall. The fruiting season for some mushrooms, like chanterelles, begins in May and goes through October.
Mushrooms can be found in various habitats across Missouri, including woodlands, river bottoms, lawns, open woods, pastures, and barren areas. Morel mushrooms, for example, are often found in high-quality forests at the base of trees like oak, hickory, maple, ash, elm, and cottonwood. You can also refer to the MDC's field guide to learn more about the mushrooms found in Missouri.
