
The Woolly Neptune mushroom is a fictional mushroom that was featured in the Bob's Burgers episode Boys Just Want to Have Fungus. The mushroom is said to have a greenish-blue cap, an off-center stem, and velvety blue gills. While the Woolly Neptune mushroom is not real, there are some real-life mushrooms that have similar characteristics, such as Lactarius indigo, also known as the indigo milk cap, and Lactarius torminosus, commonly known as the woolly milk cap or bearded milk cap.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Woolly Neptune |
| Type | Fictional mushroom |
| Appearance | Woolly greenish-blue cap, off-center stem, velvety blue gills |
| Habitat | Low, moist valleys and gullies surrounded by Jasper Trees |
| Edibility | Edible |
| Cost | $30 per ounce |
| Media Portrayal | Featured in "Boys Just Want to Have Fungus", an episode of Bob's Burgers |
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What You'll Learn

The Woolly Neptune is a fictional mushroom from Bob's Burgers
The Woolly Neptune mushroom makes its appearance in the episode "Boys Just Want to Have Fungus", where Bob and his son, Gene, go on a hunt for the mushrooms in the Melville Reserve. They encounter other mushroom hunters who try to deceive them and steal their findings. Despite the challenges, Bob and Gene manage to save a few mushrooms, and they have enough to cook a family meal.
While the Woolly Neptune mushroom is fictional, some fans of the show have speculated about real-life mushrooms that might have inspired its creation. One suggestion is the Lactarius indigo, also known as the indigo milk cap, which is a blue edible mushroom. Another possibility is the Lactarius torminosus, commonly known as the woolly milkcap or the bearded milkcap. This mushroom has a woolly cap margin and is valued for its peppery flavor, although it is highly irritating to the digestive system when eaten raw.
The episode featuring the Woolly Neptune mushroom has gained a lot of attention from fans, with some even sharing their own experiences hunting for similar mushrooms in the wild. The episode's title, "Boys Just Want to Have Fungus", is a play on the Cyndi Lauper song "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". It also includes references to other songs, such as "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash, which is alluded to in one of Tina's lines.
The Woolly Neptune mushroom episode of Bob's Burgers has clearly left an impression on viewers, sparking discussions about the fictional mushroom's resemblance to real-life species and even inspiring some fans to learn more about mushroom hunting and identification.
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Woolly Neptune mushrooms are edible
The Woolly Neptune mushroom is a fictional edible mushroom that was featured in the “Boys Just Want to Have Fungus” episode of Bob's Burgers. In the episode, Bob and Gene find some Woolly Neptunes growing in the Mellville Reserve. The mushroom is described as having a wooly greenish-blue cap, an off-center stem, and velvety blue gills. It is said to be very rare and expensive, costing around $30 per ounce. Bob wants to use the Woolly Neptunes as an ingredient for a Burger of the Day, but he is almost conned out of them by mushroom hunters.
While the Woolly Neptune mushroom is fictional, there are real-life mushrooms that have similar characteristics. For example, some people have suggested that the Woolly Neptune could be based on the Lactarius indigo, also known as the indigo milk cap, which is a blue edible mushroom. Another similar mushroom is Lactarius torminosus, commonly known as the woolly milk cap or the bearded milk cap. This mushroom has a woolly cap margin and a blend of pink and ochre hues. It is widely distributed and valued for its peppery flavor in Russia and Finland. However, it is highly irritating to the digestive system when eaten raw, so it must be cooked before consumption.
It's important to note that proper identification of mushroom species is crucial before consuming any wild mushrooms. Many mushroom species can be difficult to distinguish, and even experts may struggle to identify them reliably based on photographs alone. It is always recommended to do your own research and consult expert sources or field guides to accurately identify mushrooms and determine their edibility.
In conclusion, while the Woolly Neptune mushroom is a fictional creation, there are real-life edible mushrooms that share some of its characteristics. However, it is important to exercise caution and properly identify any wild mushrooms before consuming them to ensure safety.
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Lactarius indigo could be the real-life equivalent
The Woolly Neptune mushroom is a fictional mushroom featured in the "Boys Just Want to Have Fungus" episode of Bob's Burgers. It is described as having a greenish-blue cap, an off-center stem, and velvety blue gills. While the Woolly Neptune mushroom itself is not real, there is a real-life mushroom that bears a resemblance to it: the Lactarius indigo, also known as the indigo milk cap.
Lactarius indigo is a species of mushroom characterized by its indigo blue colour, which is due to the presence of (7-isopropenyl-4-methylazulen-1-yl)methyl stearate, an organic derivative of azulene. The specific epithet "indigo" is derived from the Latin word meaning "indigo blue". The mushroom's names in the English vernacular include the "indigo milk cap", the "indigo Lactarius", the "blue milk mushroom", and the "blue Lactarius".
The cap of the Lactarius indigo fruit body measures between 4 and 15 cm in diameter and is initially convex, later developing a central depression. As the mushroom ages, the cap becomes more deeply depressed and takes on a somewhat funnel-like shape as the edge lifts upward. The flesh of the mushroom is pallid to bluish in colour, slowly turning greenish when exposed to air. The latex exuded from injured tissue is also indigo blue and stains the wounded tissue greenish.
Like the Woolly Neptune mushroom, Lactarius indigo is noted for its distinctive colour. The blue discoloration of the fruiting body and the latex make this species easily recognizable. However, it is important to note that while Lactarius indigo is edible, it is not known if the Woolly Neptune mushroom is poisonous or not. Therefore, it is not advisable to consume it.
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The mushroom has a greenish-blue cap, off-centre stem and blue gills
The Woolly Neptune is a fictional mushroom that was featured in the Bob's Burgers episode "Boys Just Want to Have Fungus". In the episode, Bob and Gene find some Woolly Neptunes growing in the Melville Reserve. Bob intends to use the mushrooms, which are very rare and expensive, for his Burger of the Day. The Woolly Neptune has a greenish-blue cap, an off-centre stem, and blue gills.
While the Woolly Neptune mushroom is not real, there are some similarities between it and real-world mushrooms. For example, one species of mushroom that has a similar appearance to the Woolly Neptune is Lactarius indigo, also known as the indigo milk cap. This mushroom has a greenish-blue cap and blue gills, similar to the Woolly Neptune. However, unlike the Woolly Neptune, the stem of Lactarius indigo is centred and it does not have an off-centre stem.
Another similar mushroom is Lactarius torminosus, commonly known as the woolly milk cap or the bearded milkcap. This mushroom has a woolly, shaggy cap with pink and ochre hues, and narrow flesh-coloured gills on the underside of the cap. While it does not have the same greenish-blue colour as the Woolly Neptune, the woolly texture of its cap may be similar to the fictional mushroom.
It is important to note that mushroom identification can be challenging, and it is always recommended to exercise caution when foraging for mushrooms in the wild. Many mushroom species can be toxic or harmful, and proper identification is crucial to ensure safety. While the Woolly Neptune mushroom may be fictional, it is possible to find mushrooms with similar colourings and features in the real world.
In conclusion, while the Woolly Neptune mushroom from Bob's Burgers is not real, there are mushrooms in existence that share some of its distinctive features, such as the indigo milk cap and the woolly milk cap. These mushrooms may have inspired the creation of the Woolly Neptune, blending fiction with reality in the world of mycology.
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It can be found in low, moist valleys and gullies
The Woolly Neptune is a fictional mushroom variety featured in the “Boys Just Want to Have Fungus” episode of Bob's Burgers. It is described as having a greenish-blue cap, an off-centre stem, and velvety blue gills. The mushroom is said to be very rare and expensive, costing around $30 per ounce.
In the episode, Bob and Gene find the Woolly Neptunes growing in the Melville Reserve, specifically in low, moist valleys and gullies surrounded by Jasper Trees. This unique habitat provides the ideal conditions for the mushrooms to thrive. The valleys and gullies offer protection from extreme weather conditions and help retain moisture, creating a favourable environment for the mushrooms' growth.
The depiction of the Woolly Neptunes in the show has sparked interest among viewers, with some even speculating about the possible existence of these mushrooms in real life. While the Woolly Neptunes themselves are fictional, some fans have suggested that they could be based on real-life mushroom species, such as the Lactarius indigo, also known as the indigo milk cap, which has a similar blue colour.
The hunt for the Woolly Neptunes in the episode leads Bob and Gene on an adventure, where they encounter other mushroom hunters and face challenges to secure their prized find. The episode's popularity and the subsequent online discussions about the Woolly Neptunes showcase the fascinating world of mushroom hunting and the allure of discovering rare and unique varieties.
While the Woolly Neptunes may not be real, the attention they have garnered highlights the public's curiosity about mushrooms and their various forms, as well as their importance in culinary pursuits, as seen with Bob's desire to create a special burger using the rare mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the woolly neptune mushroom is a fictional type of mushroom featured in the Bob's Burgers episode "Boys Just Want to Have Fungus". However, some have speculated that it may be based on the Lactarius indigo, or indigo milk cap.
The woolly neptune mushroom is described as having a wooly greenish-blue cap, an off-center stem, and velvety blue gills.
In the Bob's Burgers episode, the woolly neptune mushrooms are found growing in low, moist valleys and gullies surrounded by Jasper Trees in the Melville Reserve.
In the episode, the characters plan to use the mushrooms to make a burger, implying that they are edible. However, it's important to note that mushroom species can be difficult to identify and should not be consumed unless you are certain they are safe to eat.

























