John Miller
Florida is known for its unique and diverse mushroom species, offering a range of culinary delights for locals and enthusiasts alike. With a year-long summer climate, the state provides a favourable environment for various mushrooms, including the famous bolete, or porcini mushroom, and the distinctive Chicken of the Woods, which grows on hardwood forest trees. Mushroom hunting is a popular activity in Florida, with hunters scouring the woods in search of these delicious fungi, whether it's the prized Morel mushroom or the unique Old Man of the Woods, found near oak trees in Northwest Florida. With an abundance of edible mushrooms to discover, Florida presents a perfect opportunity for mycophagists to explore nature, breathe fresh air, and savour the fruits of their labour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality of psychedelic mushrooms in Florida | Illegal, classified as a Schedule I controlled substance |
| Federal law classification | Schedule I controlled substance |
| Florida native psychedelic mushroom | Psilocybe tampanensis, also known as the "philosopher's stone" |
| Legality of P. tampanensis | Illegal, classified as a Schedule I controlled substance |
| Medical uses of psychedelic mushrooms | Potential treatment for mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, substance use disorder |
| Legality of psilocybin-free mushroom products in Florida | Legal to buy, but lab testing and proper labeling are important for safety |
| Common lawn mushrooms in Florida | Marasmius vagus (the Wandering Creamsicle) |
| Edible mushrooms in Florida | Chanterelles (Golden and Cinnabar), Bolete (Porcini or Penny Bun), Chicken of the Woods, Puffballs, Ruby Bolete, Butyriboletus Floridanus |
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What You'll Learn
Morel mushrooms are found in Florida
Morel mushrooms are notoriously difficult to find in Florida. This is likely due to the state's warm climate, as morel mushrooms typically grow in the spring. Florida's spring season is short, and the state quickly transitions into summer.
However, there have been reports of morel mushrooms being found in certain areas of Florida. Some people claim to have found them in the northern section of the state, near the Georgia border. There are also second-hand reports of morels being found in an area in the Panhandle region called the Ravines. In addition, one person reported finding a group of morels growing on their 700-acre property in the Sarasota area of Southwest Florida.
Despite these reports, morel mushrooms do not appear to be plentiful in Florida. Those seeking to find them may need to look during a specific time frame or in particular locations. It is also important to accurately identify any mushrooms found, as consuming the wrong variety can be dangerous.
While Florida may not be the best place to hunt for morel mushrooms, it is possible that they can be found in certain areas, particularly in the northern part of the state. For those interested in mushroom hunting, it may be worth exploring the reported locations and keeping an eye out for these elusive fungi.
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The 'Old Man of the Woods' mushroom is edible
While it is not clear whether there are any edible mushrooms in Florida, one mushroom species that foragers may come across elsewhere is the Old Man of the Woods. This mushroom is edible and has a striking appearance that makes it hard to forget or mistake. It is dark, scruffy, and quite unkempt, with a fluffy body and a woolly stem. Its cap is ornamental, with black scales across a cream to dark grey surface. The lightest part of the mushroom is the cap surface, which gets darker with age.
The Old Man of the Woods is native to North America and Europe and typically grows in the summer and early fall. In North America, it appears in the Midwest and eastern regions, as well as sporadically in the Southwest. It is often found in deciduous forests, usually on the ground in mixed hardwood forests, and tends to grow singly. It is a bolete mushroom, meaning it has pores instead of gills, and its pores are dark grey to black.
While it is edible, the Old Man of the Woods is not considered a culinary delicacy. It is said to be similar in taste to button mushrooms or store-bought Portobellos when young, but its texture and taste change for the worse as it ages. Some people even compare its taste to gym socks or licking a basement floor. However, others have described its smell as smokey and robust, with a vague amount of sweetness and a definite earthiness.
When foraging for the Old Man of the Woods, it is important to distinguish it from its close relative, the Confusing Old Man of the Woods (S. confusus). While the Confusing Old Man of the Woods is also edible, it can be identified by the erect, firm warts or spines on its cap, rather than the soft, flattened scales of the regular Old Man of the Woods. The only sure way to tell the two apart is by examining their spores under an electron microscope.
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Mushrooms grow near oak trees in NW Florida
There are indeed several types of mushrooms that grow near oak trees in Northwest Florida. One such variety is the sulphur shelf fungus, commonly known as Chicken of the Woods. This mushroom grows on dead or dying hardwood forest trees, particularly Live Oaks, and forms overlapping "shelves". It has a vague chicken and lemon taste, with young portions of the cap having a thick, tender texture. This mushroom is perfect for inexperienced mushroom hunters as there is nothing else that could be mistaken for it. Fall is usually the best time to find Chicken of the Woods, and they often appear in the same spot year after year.
Another type of mushroom that grows near oak trees in Northwest Florida is the Indigo Milk-cap. This remarkable blue mushroom, straight out of a fantasy novel, can grow individually or in groups in oak forests. When cut, it "bleeds" a deep blue "milk", with its flesh turning darker blue and then green the longer it is exposed to air. This mushroom is typically not cooked by itself, but can be dipped in egg and batter, then fried for crispy, peppery mushrooms. The season for Indigo Milk-caps is mid to late August to November.
The Bolete, also known as the porcini mushroom or Penny Bun, is another variety that grows in hardwood forests near spruce or hemlock, particularly on Oakwood. They have a dense flesh with no gills and a sponge-like undercap. While there are several varieties of boletes found in Florida, such as the Ruby Bolete and the Butyriboletus Floridanus, their king is much easier to identify for newbies. The season for this mushroom is between August and October.
In addition to these, there are other types of mushrooms that grow on oak trees in general, some of which may be found in Northwest Florida. Oyster mushrooms, for example, are commonly found on dead and decaying oak and beech trees. Maitake mushrooms are a parasite of trees, typically found on white and red oak, but occasionally on maple. They cause butt rot in the host tree and are edible and delicious.
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Temperature fluctuations may impact mushroom growth
While there are reports of morel mushrooms being found in Florida, it is unclear how prevalent they are in the state. Mushroom cultivation is a delicate process that requires specific conditions, and temperature is one of the most crucial factors. Temperature fluctuations can impact mushroom growth, and maintaining a consistent temperature is essential.
Mushrooms are temperamental crops with specific requirements for optimal growth. The ideal temperature range for mushroom growth varies depending on the species, but most mushrooms thrive between 65-75 °F. During the incubation stage, which is crucial for the formation of the mycelium, the temperature should be maintained within this range. As the mycelium is the vegetative part of the mushroom, it is essential to provide a warm and steady environment during this early phase.
Once the mycelium has formed, the temperature needs to be lowered to around 60-65 °F to encourage the growth of the fruiting bodies. This temperature change is critical, as failing to lower the temperature during the fruiting stage can hinder mushroom formation or result in poor-quality fruiting bodies. The fruiting stage is when the primordia, or baby mushrooms, grow into mature mushrooms.
To manage temperature fluctuations, growers can use heating pads, cooling fans, and greenhouses to maintain the ideal temperature range. Insulating the growing area is also important, especially in climates prone to temperature changes. Regular temperature monitoring with thermometers or temperature sensors is necessary to ensure the mushrooms' optimal growth environment.
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Mushrooms are found in the Ravines, an area in the Panhandle
While it is generally accepted that morel mushrooms become more abundant the further north you go, there have been reports of sightings in Florida. One source suggests that, due to Florida's year-long summer climate, mushrooms can be found there all year round.
Morel mushrooms have been spotted in the Panhandle, an area in the north of the state, specifically in a place called the Ravines. One forum user reported finding "a bunch" of morels on their 700-acre property in the Sarasota area of southwest Florida.
Chicken of the Woods, or sulphur shelf fungus, is another mushroom variety found in Florida. These mushrooms grow above ground on dead or dying hardwood forest trees, forming overlapping "shelves". They are recommended for inexperienced mushroom hunters as they are easily identifiable and there is nothing else that can be mistaken for them. However, it is important to avoid Chicken of the Woods growing on eucalyptus or cedar trees, as these can cause gastric distress when ingested.
Florida is also home to a variety of boletes, including the soapy-tasting Ruby Bolete (Hortiboletus rubellus) and the citrus-like Butyriboletus Floridanus. Boletes are dense-fleshed mushrooms with no gills and a sponge-like undercap. They grow in hardwood forests, particularly on Oakwood, near spruce or hemlock.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are edible mushrooms in Florida. Some of the edible mushrooms found in Florida include Chicken of the Woods, also known as sulphur shelf fungus, the soapy-tasting Ruby Bolete, and the citrus-like Butyriboletus Floridanus.
Yes, there are Morel mushrooms in Florida. They are not as plentiful as in other states, but they can be found in some areas, such as the Ravines in the panhandle and in the woods of SWFL Sarasota Area.
The best time to hunt for Morel mushrooms in Florida is during the spring, particularly in April and May.
Yes, consuming wild mushrooms without proper knowledge can be dangerous. It is important to never eat a mushroom identified solely from online pictures as some mushrooms can cause gastric distress or even be poisonous. Always cook wild mushrooms thoroughly before consuming them.
