Emily Johnson
There are two types of mushrooms commonly referred to as shrimp mushrooms: Entoloma abortivum, also known as shrimp of the woods, and Russula xerampelina, also known as shrimp Russula. Entoloma abortivum is an edible mushroom that can be identified by its white, off-white, or greyish-tan colour, pinkish gills, and popcorn-like shape. It is commonly found growing on decaying wood or near the roots of elm trees in mid to late fall. Russula xerampelina, on the other hand, is characterized by its wine-red, purple, or greenish cap with a distinct odour of boiled crab or shrimp. It is widely distributed in northern temperate zones and is often found in coniferous woodlands. Both types of shrimp mushrooms are edible and offer a mild flavour that pairs well with various dishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Shrimp of the Woods, Aborted Entolomas, Entoloma, Popcorn Mushroom |
| Scientific Name | Entoloma abortivum |
| Season | Mid to late fall |
| Appearance | White, off-white, or greyish-tan with a pinkish tinge and rounded and lumpy |
| Cap | Grey to greyish-brown, steely grey, or wine-red, purple to green |
| Cap Shape | Hat-shaped, expanding outwards until flat, may have a raised bump in the centre |
| Cap Size | 0.75-3.25 inches wide |
| Gills | Pale grey, turning pink, attached to the stem and may run down the stem |
| Stem | 0.75-3.25 inches long, grey-white, may be slightly off-centre, slightly enlarged at the base, and smooth |
| Flesh | Dense, white, firm, does not change colour when cut |
| Spore Print | White |
| Edibility | Edible, with a mild flavour |
| Cooking | Can be sautéed with garlic and parsley, or sliced and browned in a saucepan |
| Smell | Like shellfish or crab when fresh |
| Location | Commonly found around elm trees, decaying hardwood stumps, and coniferous woods |
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What You'll Learn
- Shrimp mushrooms are often found in mid to late fall, growing on or around elm trees, coniferous woods, and decaying wood
- The mushrooms are firm to the touch when fresh, with a white or off-white body that discolours when handled
- The caps are grey to grey-brown, with gills that are pale grey, turning pink
- The mushrooms parasitise honey fungus, and can be identified by their proximity to honey mushrooms
- Avoid mushrooms that feel spongy or have visible bugs, as these are likely to be infested with insect larvae
Shrimp mushrooms are often found in mid to late fall, growing on or around elm trees, coniferous woods, and decaying wood
Shrimp mushrooms, also known as Entoloma abortivum, are often found in mid to late fall. They are easy to identify and can be found growing on or around elm trees, coniferous woods, and decaying wood.
These mushrooms are known for their distinctive appearance, resembling strange white popcorn balls or a clump of white styrofoam packing peanuts jumbled together. They have a firm texture when fresh and lack gills. The aborted form, known as carpophoroids, typically has a large stem with a visible cap, while the fully formed aborted variant is more common. The unaborted forms of the mushroom are usually found nearby, along with honey mushrooms.
Shrimp mushrooms favour specific habitats and can often be found growing above the roots of trees, at the base of living and decaying trees, stumps, or directly from the tree under the bark. They are often associated with elm trees and coniferous woods, making them relatively easy to locate for foragers.
While shrimp mushrooms are edible, it is important to exercise caution when foraging. Confusion with other mushroom species, especially honey mushrooms, can occur due to their proximity and similar habitats. Proper identification is crucial to ensure a safe and enjoyable culinary experience with shrimp mushrooms.
Additionally, shrimp mushrooms may exhibit variation in their appearance. They can range from white to off-white, sometimes with a pinkish tinge, and their surfaces may discolour to tan or off-white when handled. The caps of these mushrooms are typically grey to grey-brown, with a smooth texture, and their widths can range from 0.75 to 3.25 inches.
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The mushrooms are firm to the touch when fresh, with a white or off-white body that discolours when handled
Shrimp mushrooms, or "shrimp of the woods", are edible mushrooms that are easy to identify. They are typically found in mid to late fall and grow on or around dying elm trees, decaying stumps, and coniferous woods.
When identifying shrimp mushrooms, it is important to distinguish between the aborted and non-aborted forms of the species. The aborted form, known as carpophoroids, has a large stem with a visibly formed cap, while the non-aborted form has a stronger flavour and lacks the sweetness of the popcorn-shaped mushrooms.
To prepare shrimp mushrooms for cooking, it is recommended to cut off the dirty base and rinse them in cold water, being careful not to soak them for too long to prevent them from becoming spongy. They can then be sliced and cooked in a preheated saucepan, where they will release their own water due to the heat.
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The caps are grey to grey-brown, with gills that are pale grey, turning pink
To identify a shrimp mushroom, it is important to be aware of the different characteristics of the mushroom, especially the colour of its cap and gills. The caps of shrimp mushrooms are grey to grey-brown, with gills that are pale grey, turning pink.
The scientific name for the shrimp mushroom is Entoloma abortivum, and it is also known as the shrimp of the woods. The cap of the mushroom is typically a steely grey, ranging from 0.75 to 3.25 inches wide. It may be smooth or covered in very light fibres. The cap starts out hat-shaped and then expands outwards until it is flat, and it may or may not have a raised bump in the centre.
The gills of the shrimp mushroom are pale grey when young, turning pink as the mushroom matures. They are attached to the stem and may run down it for a short way. The stem itself is 0.75 to 3.25 inches long and greyish-white, the same colour as the cap. It may be slightly off-centre, slightly enlarged at the base, and smooth, or have very fine hairs.
The shrimp mushroom is an edible species that is commonly found east of the Rocky Mountains. It is important to be able to distinguish it from other mushrooms, especially the shrimp russula, which has a powerful scent and is also edible.
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The mushrooms parasitise honey fungus, and can be identified by their proximity to honey mushrooms
Shrimp of the woods, or Entoloma abortivum, is an odd-looking mushroom with a distinctive appearance and useful characteristics. It is also known as the aborted entoloma or popcorn mushroom. This species of Entoloma parasitises honey fungus, an invasive species that causes root rot in many woody plants.
Entoloma mushrooms have a grayish cap of up to 3.1 inches wide and a stem of up to 3.25 inches long. The cap starts as hat-shaped and expands outwards until it is flat, and the gills are pale gray, turning pink. The mushroom's flesh is dense and white and does not change colour when cut. The spore print is pinkish, and the mushrooms are firm to the touch when fresh.
Shrimp mushrooms are typically found in mid to late fall, and they can be found growing on or around dying elm trees and in coniferous woods. They can grow above tree roots, at the base of living and decaying trees and stumps, or directly from under the bark.
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Avoid mushrooms that feel spongy or have visible bugs, as these are likely to be infested with insect larvae
Shrimp mushrooms, or Entoloma abortivum, are known for their odd appearance. They are edible and easy to identify, but it can be challenging to distinguish them from other Entoloma species.
Shrimp mushrooms have two distinct forms. In their "normal" mushroom form, they are a rather unremarkable greyish-gilled mushroom that blends in with other species. However, when they encounter honey mushrooms, they infect the honey mushroom mycelium, resulting in a distorted, knobby white clump that resembles a ball of popcorn or a head of garlic. This is the second form of the shrimp mushroom.
When foraging for shrimp mushrooms, it is important to avoid those that feel spongy or have visible bugs. These mushrooms are likely to be infested with insect larvae, which can ruin your entire collection. Instead, look for mushrooms that are firm to the touch, with a dense, white interior. The cap should be grey to greyish-brown, smooth, and range from 0.75 to 3.25 inches wide. The gills are pale grey, turning pink, and are attached to the stem, which is grey-white and ranges from 0.75 to 3.25 inches long.
To ensure a clean collection, it is recommended to cut away any dirty crevices with a knife and rinse the mushrooms before placing them in your basket. Additionally, always cut off the dirty base of the mushroom before collecting, as this will help prevent soil and dirt from getting onto the other specimens.
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Frequently asked questions
Shrimp mushrooms, or Entoloma abortivum, are parasitic fungi that grow on or around dying elm trees, coniferous woods, and decaying hardwood stumps. They are commonly found in mid to late fall and appear as white popcorn-shaped mushrooms. They are firm to the touch when fresh and have a cap that is gray to grayish-brown in colour.
The cap of a shrimp mushroom is typically between 0.75 and 3.25 inches wide and may be bald or covered in very light fibres. The cap starts out hat-shaped and then expands outwards until it is flat. The gills are pale grey in youth and then turn pink. The stem is usually the same colour as the cap and is between 0.75 and 3.25 inches long.
The spore print of a shrimp mushroom is white, which is a key identification point. Shrimp mushrooms can be distinguished from other similar mushrooms, such as honey mushrooms, by their lack of gills and their unique shape. Honey mushrooms have gills and produce a distorted knobby white clump when infected by the shrimp mushroom mycelium.
Shrimp mushrooms are commonly found in northern temperate zones, ranging from the Arctic Circle to Costa Rica. In North America, they appear from July to October in the east and October to January in the west. They are often found in coniferous woodlands, favouring Douglas fir, pine trees, and larch. They can also be found in deciduous woods, such as beech and oak.
