Emma Wilson
Florida is home to a wide variety of wild mushrooms, with around 270 types of mushrooms out of the 10,000 known species found in the state. Some of the most common wild mushrooms in Florida include Ringless Honey Mushrooms, Oyster Mushrooms, Chanterelles, Puffballs, and Bolete Mushrooms. These mushrooms can be found in various habitats, including hardwood forests, lawns, stumps, roots, and clusters on logs and living trees. While foraging for wild mushrooms can be a rewarding experience, it is crucial to exercise caution as some mushrooms have toxic look-alikes. Proper identification and consultation with local experts are essential before consuming any wild mushrooms to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of known mushroom types | 10,000 |
| Number of mushroom types in Florida | 270 |
| Types of edible wild mushrooms in Florida | Boletes, puffballs, chanterelles, indigo milk-caps, ganodermas (or reishi), ringless honey mushrooms |
| Mushrooms that can be mistaken for toxic ones | Young puffballs can be mistaken for the lethal death cap mushroom |
| Season | Mushrooms are restricted to growing from summer to early winter, but they can be found year-round in Florida |
| Cap | Top part of the stalk. Look for width, shape, and color |
| Underside of Cap | Look for pores, spines/teeth, gill-like ridges, and tubes |
| Stem (stipe) | Look for strips, striations, rings, and protrusions |
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What You'll Learn
Florida's most common wild mushrooms
Florida is home to about 270 of the 10,000 known types of mushrooms. Some of the most common wild mushrooms found in Florida are:
Chanterelles
Also known as the "Golden Chanterelles", these mushrooms are one of the most well-known wild mushrooms and are easily identifiable by their funnel-shaped cap and fruity perfumed scent. They grow in hardwood forests in damp areas, often covered in moss. Another type of chanterelle found in Florida is the Cinnabar Chanterelle, which is coloured deep red and is just as edible and tasty as its golden counterpart.
Ringless Honey Mushrooms
These mushrooms are commonly found in Florida during late fall and early winter. They grow on stumps, exposed roots, at the base of trees, and on buried roots. They can also be found growing on a wide variety of trees and shrubs, including oaks, cedars, camphor stumps, and banyan roots. Ringless Honey Mushrooms have white to yellowish gills and a stalk that is 5-20 cm long and 0.5-3 cm thick.
Chicken of the Woods
Also known as the sulphur shelf fungus, this mushroom is perfect for inexperienced mushroom hunters as it is easily identifiable and there is nothing else that can be mistaken for it. They grow above ground on dead or dying hardwood forest trees, forming overlapping "shelves". However, it is important to avoid Chicken of the Woods growing on eucalyptus or cedar trees, as these can cause gastric distress when ingested.
Puffballs
Young Puffballs are white, round, and ball-like with a speckled surface, while older Puffballs are yellowish to brown and have spores inside. They are unique in that they do not have an underside with gills or pores. Puffballs grow from summer to early winter, but due to Florida's year-long summer climate, they can be found year-round. It is important to distinguish Puffballs from the lethal death cap mushroom, which looks similar at a young age.
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How to identify edible wild mushrooms
Florida is home to about 270 of the 10,000 known types of mushrooms. Some of the edible wild mushrooms found in the state include the Ringless Honey Mushroom, the Bolete (including the King Bolete, or Porcini mushroom), the Chanterelle (including the Golden Chanterelle and the Cinnabar Chanterelle), and the Puffball.
When identifying mushrooms, it's important to remember that some edible mushrooms have poisonous lookalikes, and consuming the wrong variety can be deadly. If you are unsure about a mushroom's identity, do not eat it. Consult local experts, compare the mushroom with pictures in books or online, or bring the mushroom to a professional for identification.
- Season: Note the time of year the mushroom can be found.
- Cap: Examine the width, shape, and color of the top part of the stalk. Look for spines/teeth, gill-like ridges, and tubes on the underside of the cap.
- Stem (stipe): Look for strips, striations, rings, and protrusions.
Ringless Honey Mushroom
The Ringless Honey Mushroom is one of the easier mushrooms to identify. It grows on wood, particularly oak, but has also been found on a variety of other trees and shrubs. It is most commonly found in late fall to early winter and is seldom found during the summer months. It has a crunchy texture and can be used as a substitute for shiitake mushrooms in stir-fry dishes. Only the caps should be eaten, as the stalks are fibrous and tough.
Bolete
The Bolete is a well-known culinary mushroom with a mildly nutty taste. It grows in early fall or spring and can be found in fir, spruce, or pine forests. It has a brownish-red, brown, or tan cap and a thick stalk, often with a bulb at the base. Instead of gills, the underside of the cap is spongy with small pores that release spores. Young mushrooms have whitish spores that mature to a yellow-olive color.
Chanterelle
Chanterelles are the most well-known wild mushrooms and are one of the easiest to identify due to their funnel-shaped cap and fruity, perfumed scent. They grow in hardwood forests in damp areas covered in moss. The Cinnabar Chanterelle is a deep red variety that is just as edible and tasty as its golden sibling.
Puffball
Young Puffballs are white, round, and ball-like with a speckled surface, while older Puffballs are yellowish to brown and have spores inside. They have no underside, gills, or pores. They grow from summer to early winter but can be found year-round in Florida due to its warm climate. Puffballs can be mistaken for the lethal Death Cap mushroom, so always cut a puffball vertically or lengthwise, and if there is a mushroom imprint on the inside, discard it.
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How to avoid toxic lookalikes
Florida is home to about 270 of the 10,000 known types of mushrooms. Some of the most common edible mushrooms found in the state include the Chicken of the Woods, Cinnabar Chanterelles, Ringless Honey Mushrooms, and Puffballs. However, it's important to be cautious when foraging for wild mushrooms, as there are also toxic lookalikes that can be dangerous or even deadly if consumed. Here are some tips to help you avoid toxic mushroom lookalikes:
- Be cautious of Puffballs: Puffballs are a common edible mushroom in Florida, but they can be mistaken for the lethal Death Cap mushroom when immature. Always cut a puffball vertically or lengthwise, and if you see a mushroom imprint on the inside, discard it as it is a Death Cap.
- Identify true Chanterelles: Chanterelles are a well-known and tasty wild mushroom. True Chanterelles have a distinctive funnel shape and a vibrant orange or yellow colour. False Chanterelles, on the other hand, often have a more irregular shape, a paler colour, and a different texture. They can be toxic if consumed.
- Avoid Jack-O'-Lanterns: Jack-O'-Lantern mushrooms are deep orange, have gills, and typically grow in dense clusters on decaying wood. They emit a faint greenish glow in low light due to bioluminescence. True chanterelles, on the other hand, usually grow individually or in small groups on the forest floor near trees.
- Distinguish between Ringless Honey Mushrooms and toxic species: Ringless Honey Mushrooms are a common late fall-early winter mushroom in Florida. They usually grow on stumps, exposed roots, and buried roots of various tree species. However, there are several similar-looking toxic mushrooms, so be sure to accurately identify them before consuming.
- Consult expert sources: If you are unsure about the identity of a mushroom, it is best to avoid consuming it. Consider joining accredited mushroom identification courses or consulting local experts before foraging and consuming wild mushrooms.
Remember, it is crucial to accurately identify mushrooms before consuming them. While some wild mushrooms in Florida are safe and tasty, there are also toxic lookalikes that can be harmful or deadly. Always exercise caution and prioritize your safety when foraging for wild mushrooms.
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Where to find wild mushrooms in Florida
Of the 10,000 known types of mushrooms, about 270 can be found in Florida. Here are some of the edible mushrooms you can find in the Sunshine State and where to find them.
Bolete Mushrooms
Also known as the porcini mushroom or Penny Bun, this type of mushroom grows in hardwood forests near spruce or hemlock, particularly on Oakwood. They are dense-fleshed with no gills and a sponge-like undercap. While there are a variety of boletes found in Florida, such as the soapy-tasting Ruby Bolete and the citrus-like Butyriboletus Floridanus, the King Bolete is much easier to identify for beginners.
Chanterelle Mushrooms
Chanterelles, also known as "Golden Chanterelles," are the most well-known wild mushrooms and one of the easiest to identify. They grow in hardwood forests in damp areas, so look for areas covered in moss. Another type of chanterelle to look out for in Florida is the Cinnabar Chanterelle, which is deep red and just as edible and tasty as its golden sibling.
Ringless Honey Mushrooms
Ringless Honey Mushrooms are one of the easier mushrooms to identify. They grow on wood, preferably oak, but have also been found growing on Buckeyes, Hemlock, Hollies, Junipers, Sweetgums, Plums, Apples, Perseas, Maples, Pines, Ash, Alders, Almonds, and Walnuts. You will find them on stumps, exposed roots, at the base of trees, and growing on buried roots. They are the most common late fall to early winter mushrooms in Florida.
Young Puffballs
Young Puffballs are white, round, ball-like caps speckled with warts or spines in the shape of cones with dense flesh. They are restricted to growing from summer to early winter, but due to Florida's year-long summer climate, they can be found year-round. Older Puffballs are yellowish to brown and have spores inside. A unique feature of this mushroom is that there is no underside—no gills or pores to inspect!
Additional Information
When foraging for wild mushrooms, it is important to consult local experts before consuming anything you find. Do not eat anything you cannot identify with 100% certainty. Additionally, cook all wild mushrooms thoroughly before consumption.
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Types of wild mushrooms in Florida
Florida is home to about 270 of the 10,000 known types of mushrooms. Some of the most common wild mushrooms found in the state include:
- Chanterelles, also known as the "Golden Chanterelles", are the most well-known wild mushrooms and one of the easiest to identify due to their funnel-shaped cap and fruity perfumed scent. They grow in hardwood forests in damp areas covered in moss. Another type of chanterelle found in Florida is the Cinnabar Chanterelle, which is coloured deep red and is just as edible and tasty as its golden counterpart.
- Ringless Honey Mushrooms, which are cespitos, growing in clusters on stumps or decomposing roots of trees. They have white flesh and dark hairs in the middle of the cap, which helps distinguish them from the toxic orange-flesh Jack-O-Lantern mushroom. They are called "honey mushrooms" because of their honey-like colour.
- Bolete, also known as the porcini mushroom or Penny Bun. This type of mushroom grows in hardwood forests near spruce or hemlock, particularly on Oakwood. They are dense-fleshed with no gills and a sponge-like undercap. Some varieties found in Florida include the soapy-tasting Ruby Bolete and the Butyriboletus Floridanus, which has a citrus-like taste.
- Puffballs are white and round with a ball-like cap when young, and turn yellowish to brown as they age. They have no underside, gills, or pores. They are toxic look-alikes of the lethal death cap mushroom, so be sure to cut a puffball vertically or lengthwise to check for a mushroom imprint before consuming.
Remember, it is important to properly identify mushrooms before consuming them and to cook all wild mushrooms thoroughly. Consulting with local experts is essential to ensure safe and enjoyable mushroom foraging in Florida.
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Frequently asked questions
Some edible wild mushrooms found in Florida include oyster mushrooms (species in the genus Pleurotus), boletes, puffballs, chanterelles, indigo milk-caps, and ganodermas (or reishi).
When identifying a mushroom, look at the season, cap, underside of the cap, and stem. The cap is the top part of the stalk, so look at the width, shape, and color. For the underside of the cap, look for pores, spines/teeth, gill-like ridges, and tubes. For the stem, look for strips, striations, rings, and protrusions.
Yes, there are dangerous wild mushrooms in Florida. For example, Puffballs can be mistaken for the lethal death cap mushroom. Ringless Honey Mushrooms can be toxic if they grow on conifers.
