Emma Wilson
Green mushrooms are versatile fungi that come from different mushroom families, ranging from the common green russula to the rare green coral. They can be found in various habitats, from lawns to forest floors, making them accessible to foragers. Some green mushrooms are edible, such as the Grass-Green Russula (Russula aeruginea) and the Sarcomyxa serotina, while others like the Stropharia aeruginosa are controversial, with some sources claiming they are edible and others saying they are poisonous. Other examples of green mushrooms include the parrot waxcap, with its bright green bell-shaped cap, and the Leotia viscosa, also known as chicken lips, which has a dark green cap and a yellow stem. When consuming wild mushrooms, it is important to exercise caution as some species can be poisonous.
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What You'll Learn
Green mushrooms: where to find them
Green mushrooms are versatile fungi that can be found in various locations, from lawns to forest floors. While some green mushrooms are edible, it is important to exercise caution when consuming wild mushrooms, as some species can be poisonous. If you are unsure, it is best not to consume the mushroom. Here is a guide to help you identify and locate some of the more common varieties of green mushrooms.
Stropharia aeruginosa (Blue-Green Stropharia or Verdigris Agaric)
This medium-sized green mushroom has a slimy texture and is commonly found on lawns, mulch, and in woodlands from spring to autumn. It has a convex cap that broadens and becomes umbonate with age, reaching a width of 2 to 8 centimetres. While some sources claim that it is edible, others maintain that it is poisonous.
Russula aeruginea (Grass-Green Russula or Green Russula)
This variety is commonly found under birch trees, especially in pine forests. It can also be found on the ground in woods, in troops in leaf litter or grass. The cap is initially flat and becomes funnel-shaped as it matures, ranging in colour from pale green to light grey-green, and sometimes olive green. The cap is sticky and shiny, with a diameter of 4 to 10 centimetres. The gills are closely spaced and change from pale cream to light yellow as the spores mature.
Sarcomyxa serotina
Sarcomyxa serotina mushrooms are commonly found in grassy areas, meadows, heathlands, and pastures. They are widely distributed in grasslands in western Europe, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Greenland, the Americas, South Africa, and Japan. They can be identified by their greenish, fan- or oyster-shaped caps that grow on the wood of both coniferous and deciduous trees. The gills on the underside of the caps are bright orange-yellow. While this variety is generally considered edible, it is not highly sought after due to its mild flavour and slimy texture.
Parrot Waxcaps
Parrot waxcaps are identified by their bright green, bell-shaped caps. Younger mushrooms are green, turning yellowish as they mature. The gills are yellowish and widely spaced. These mushrooms are edible but very slimy and small, making them less desirable for culinary use. They can be found from September to November.
Aniseed Toadstools
Aniseed toadstools are a rare and unique species found in forested areas near oaks, firs, and conifers. They emit an anise-like smell, making them more likely to be identified by their aroma than their appearance. They have a bright green or blue-green cap that can grow up to 3.9 inches in diameter, with a slightly sticky and slightly sunken surface. The gills underneath the cap are white, turning yellow-brown when mature.
Remember to always seek expert advice before consuming any wild mushrooms, as even mushrooms that taste fine can be dangerous.
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How to identify green mushrooms
Green mushrooms are quite versatile and can be found in different places, from lawns to forest floors. They can be identified based on their physical characteristics, such as their colour, shape, gills, stem, and smell. Here are some tips on how to identify some of the more common varieties of green mushrooms:
Stropharia aeruginosa (Blue-Green Stropharia or Verdigris Agaric)
Stropharia aeruginosa, commonly known as the blue-green stropharia or verdigris agaric, is a medium-sized green, slimy mushroom. It is found on lawns, mulch, and in woodlands from spring to autumn. The cap is initially vivid blue/green and very slimy, with a sprinkling of white remnants around the edge. As it matures, the colour fades, and it turns yellow ocher, eventually losing its blue-green colour completely. The gills are initially white and then turn clay-brown, sometimes with a white edge. The stem is white and long, with a uniform thickness. It has a fragile brown/black ring, and below this, the stem is covered in fine white scales or flakes.
Russula aeruginea (Grass-Green Russula or Green Russula)
Russula aeruginea, commonly known as grass-green russula or green russula, is found under birch trees, especially in pine forests. It can also be found in mixed hardwood forests, particularly in North America and parts of Europe. The cap is bright green or blue-green, slightly sticky, and can grow up to 3.9 inches in diameter. The gills are white, turning yellow-brown when mature. The stem is white with rust-coloured spots at the base and can be relatively short.
Parrot Waxcaps
Parrot waxcaps are identified by their bright green, bell-shaped caps. Younger species are green, turning yellowish as they age. The gills are yellowish and widely spaced. They are edible but very slimy and small in size.
Green Stem Pinkgills
Green stem pinkgills are rare green mushrooms that favour alkaline soils and are commonly found during the summer.
Leotia Viscosa (Chicken Lips)
Leotia viscosa, also known as chicken lips, are cup-shaped fungi with caps that curve inwards, giving them a lip-like shape. The caps are dark green, while the stems are yellow. They are found in tight clusters on decaying wood in moist locations.
It is important to exercise caution when identifying and consuming wild mushrooms, as some species can be poisonous. If you are unsure, it is best to avoid consuming them.
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Edible green mushrooms
There are several types of edible green mushrooms, but it is important to be cautious when identifying and consuming wild mushrooms, as some species can be poisonous. If you are unsure whether a mushroom is safe to eat, it is best not to consume it.
One example of an edible green mushroom is the Russula aeruginea, commonly known as the Grass-Green Russula. This mushroom is commonly found under birch trees, particularly in pine forests. It grows on the ground in woods, in troops in leaf litter or in grass. The cap starts flat when young and soon becomes funnel-shaped with weak stripes. It is pale green to light grey-green, and sometimes olive green. It measures 4 to 10 cm in diameter. The cap is somewhat sticky and shiny. The gills are closely spaced and change colour from pale cream to light yellow as the spores mature. The stem is white with rust-coloured spots at the base and can be relatively short. It may have longitudinal furrows. This mushroom is considered one of the best edible mushrooms of the genus Russula and is especially popular in Spain and China. It has a taste that is described as mild and nutty, and it is cooked by grilling, frying, and sautéing.
Another edible green mushroom is the Sarcomyxa serotina, which is commonly found in grassy areas, meadows, heathlands, and pastures. The fruit bodies of this mushroom have greenish, overlapping, fan- or oyster-shaped caps that grow on the wood of both coniferous and deciduous trees. The gills on the underside of the caps are closely spaced, bright orange-yellow, and have a narrow attachment to the stem. This mushroom is widely distributed in grasslands in western Europe, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Greenland, the Americas, South Africa, and Japan. It is found from late summer to autumn, specifically from September to November. While Sarcomyxa serotina is generally considered edible, it is not widely sought after for culinary use due to its mild flavour and slimy texture.
The Stropharia aeruginosa, commonly known as the blue-green stropharia or verdigris agaric, is another example of an edible green mushroom. This mushroom is medium-sized and green, with a slimy texture. It is found on lawns, mulch, and in woodlands from spring to autumn. The edibility of this mushroom is controversial, as some sources claim that it is edible, while others claim it to be poisonous.
Other edible green mushrooms include the parrot waxcaps, which are identified by their bright green bell-shaped caps, and the green russula, which has a bright green or blue-green cap that can grow up to 3.9 inches in diameter. The green skin-head or dermocybe austroveneta is another edible species found in southern Australia, identified by its smooth green cap ranging from four to six inches in diameter.
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Rare green mushrooms
There are many different types of green mushrooms, some of which are considered rare. Green mushrooms are one of the most versatile fungi, occurring in different places, from lawns to forest floors, making them universally accessible to foragers.
One type of rare green mushroom is the green stem pinkgill, which is found in some wet parts of Australia and favours alkaline soils. It has a greenish-yellow cap that turns brownish-yellow as it ages, with pink gills and a yellow-green stem.
The Leotia viscosa, or chicken lips, is another rare member of the cup fungi family. It has a dark green cap and a yellow stem, and its caps curve inwards, giving it a lip-like shape. They are found on decaying wood in moist locations.
The green russula is another rare green mushroom, almost always found under birch trees. It has a bright green or blue-green cap, with white gills that turn yellow-brown when mature. It is edible, but its rarity makes it hard to find enough for a meal.
The Sarcomyxa serotina is a rare green mushroom with greenish, overlapping, fan- or oyster-shaped caps. It is generally considered edible but is not widely sought after due to its mild flavour and slimy texture.
Other rare mushrooms include the bioluminescent fungi, which grow in Asia and the Pacific and can glow bright green under specific temperature conditions. The indigo milk cap is a bluish-purple mushroom that secretes an indigo-coloured liquid that turns green when exposed to air.
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Poisonous green mushrooms
Green mushrooms are one of the most versatile fungi, belonging to different mushroom families. They can be found in various locations, from lawns to forest floors, making them accessible to foragers. However, it is important to exercise caution when consuming wild mushrooms, as some green varieties can be poisonous or even deadly.
One of the most well-known poisonous green mushrooms is the Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap. This mushroom is considered the most poisonous of all known mushrooms and is responsible for the majority of fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide. It contains amatoxins, a class of toxins that are heat-resistant, meaning they cannot be neutralised by cooking. As little as half a mushroom or 30 grams of Amanita phalloides is estimated to be enough to cause liver and kidney failure and kill an adult human. The death cap mushroom is widespread in Europe, but it has also been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America, where it claims the life of one person, on average, each year.
Another green mushroom with a hazardous reputation is Tricholoma equestre, which was once popular but is now regarded as poisonous due to a series of restaurant poisonings in France. Brittlegills, such as Russula heterophylla, R. aeruginea, and R. virescens, can also be toxic and are characterised by their brittle flesh and the absence of both volva and ring. Some other poisonous green-capped species include A. subjunquillea, found in eastern Asia, and A. arocheae, native to Andean Colombia and extending north to central Mexico.
While not all green mushrooms are poisonous, it is crucial to accurately identify them before consumption. Proper identification is essential, as some poisonous varieties can closely resemble edible mushrooms, increasing the risk of accidental poisoning. Consulting with a professional mycologist or a knowledgeable expert in mushroom identification is always recommended before consuming any wild mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Grass-Green Russula, Green Stem Pinkgills, Aniseed Toadstools, Parrot Waxcaps, Verdigris Agaric, and Sarcomyxa Serotina are some examples of green mushrooms.
Some green mushrooms are edible, such as Grass-Green Russula, Aniseed Toadstools, Parrot Waxcaps, and Sarcomyxa Serotina. However, it is important to note that even mushrooms that do not taste bad can be very dangerous. Always seek advice from a local expert before consuming any mushrooms.
Green mushrooms can be found in various habitats, including lawns, forests, and roadside verges. For example, Grass-Green Russula is commonly found under birch trees, especially in pine forests, while Sarcomyxa Serotina is commonly found in grassy areas, meadows, and pastures.
