Laura Smith
Illinois is home to a variety of wild mushrooms, with enthusiasts flocking to the state's forests in spring to forage for the elusive and delectable morel. While morels are the most popular, Illinois is also known for its chanterelles, pheasant backs, chicken-of-the-woods, and hen-of-the-woods, among others. The state's diverse habitats provide the perfect conditions for fungi to grow, and its native mushrooms are celebrated through festivals and championships. However, foraging for wild mushrooms requires caution, as some varieties resemble toxic cousins that can cause serious illness or even death.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Fungi |
| Phylum | Basidiomycota |
| Class | Agaricomycetes |
| Order | Agaricales |
| Family | Agaricaceae |
| Types | Meadow mushrooms, giant puffball, onion stem mushroom, morel, chanterelle, pheasant backs, chicken-of-the-woods, oyster mushrooms, truffles, hen-of-the-woods, coral fungi, parasol mushroom, honey mushroom, and more |
| Season | Spring, Summer, Fall |
| Location | Forests, wooded areas, golf courses, pastures, and at the base of deciduous trees |
| Organizations | Illinois Mycological Association, Illinois Master Gardeners |
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What You'll Learn
The Illinois Mycological Association
The meetings usually include a lecture from a professional mycologist or author and are free and open to the public. However, only members can attend the mushroom forays or hunts, which are an excellent way to identify local fungi. These occur a couple of times a month, from the first foray for morels and other spring mushrooms at Kankakee River State Park in late April or early May, until the September foray to gather displays for the Annual Mushroom Show.
The Annual Mushroom Show is free and open to the public and occurs every year during Labor Day weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The IMA also hosts a summer series at the Chicago Public Library, with past topics including edible mushrooms of Illinois and lichens. Members of the IMA also post their mushroom photos to iNaturalist to record fungal diversity in the Chicago region.
The IMA is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about the wild mushrooms of Illinois and the Chicago region. Illinois is home to a variety of edible mushroom varieties, including meadow mushrooms, honey mushrooms, and parasol mushrooms. However, it is important to be cautious when foraging for mushrooms, as many edible varieties have toxic cousins that can cause serious illness or even death.
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Edible mushrooms
Illinois is home to a variety of edible mushrooms, with enthusiasts flocking to the state's forests in spring and summer to forage for these wild fungi. Fungi are multicellular organisms that do not produce their own food through photosynthesis. Instead, they feed off other organisms growing on living trees, dead wood, or the soil. They are important to the health of native ecosystems by enriching the soil and rotting wood, creating homes for wildlife.
One of the most sought-after edible mushrooms in Illinois is the morel, which starts to appear in the state's forests as early as March and is prized for its elusive and delectable nature. Morels are saprophytic, meaning they get their energy from dead organic matter. Other edible saprophytic mushrooms include chicken-of-the-woods, which can be found growing on dead wood, and oyster mushrooms.
In addition to the morel, Illinois is known for its chanterelles, which are abundant in the summer and are considered one of the most famous wild mushrooms worldwide. The state even has a species of chanterelle named after it: the Chicago chanterelle. This variety is a symbol of the success of close observation, scientific rigor, and community-based fieldwork in uncovering hidden myco-diversity.
Other edible mushrooms found in Illinois include pheasant backs, hen-of-the-woods, coral fungi, parasol mushrooms, meadow mushrooms, and honey mushrooms. However, it is important to exercise caution when foraging for wild mushrooms, as many edible varieties have toxic look-alikes. For example, the destroying angel, which may resemble parasol or honey mushrooms, contains enough toxins to kill a person. Always make a positive identification before consuming any wild mushrooms.
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Morel mushrooms
Morels are saprophytic, meaning they derive their energy from dead organic matter. They are often found on dead wood, along with other saprophytic mushrooms such as chicken-of-the-woods and oyster mushrooms. Chanterelles, which are edible mycorrhizal mushrooms, are also commonly found in Illinois during the summer. Truffles are another type of edible mycorrhizal mushroom that competes with morels as one of the most famous wild mushrooms worldwide.
Illinois is known for its three types of morels: the yellow morel (*M. esculenta*), the black morel (*M. elata*), and the half-free morel (*M. semilibera*). These mushrooms start to appear as early as March in southern Illinois and typically spread across the state within a few weeks, depending on the spring weather. Long-time morel hunters often have secret spots for finding these mushrooms, sometimes passed down through generations.
The Annual Illinois State Morel Mushroom Hunting Championship and Spongy Fungi Festival celebrate these mushrooms and the foraging opportunities they provide. Morel mushrooms are a beloved part of Illinois' natural heritage, and their appearance each spring marks a special time for those who venture into the woods in search of these prized fungi.
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Coral fungi
Illinois is known for its diverse range of flora and fauna, and its fascinating world of mushrooms. Fungi may be found statewide in Illinois, growing in nearly all habitats. The Illinois Mycological Association is a group of fungal enthusiasts that meets frequently to learn about fungi, and to identify and document wild fungi.
One of the edible wild mushrooms found in Illinois is the coral fungus, also called club, doghair, or antler. Coral fungi resemble clumps of sea coral growing up to 8 inches high. They are usually yellow, white, or tan, although some are purple or pink. They appear in wooded areas of Illinois in the summer or fall, on decaying logs or on the ground. Crown corals are one of the most common coral fungi in Illinois. They are distinguished by their unique fruiting body and can grow up to 5.1 inches tall and 3.9 inches wide. This fungus is white to pale yellow when young, turning pinkish as it matures.
Other edible mushrooms found in Illinois include the meadow mushroom, which locals call "champion", and the honey mushroom, which grows at the base of deciduous trees, on old wood or stumps, and sometimes on live shrubs or trees. The oval, yellow or rust-colored cap can grow up to 4 inches across, on a 6-inch stalk. The hen of the woods, maitake, ramshead, or sheepshead mushrooms can weigh 20 lbs. or more per specimen and thrive in areas with many large oak trees. The morel is another one of the most sought-after mushrooms in Illinois due to its unique appearance and the fact that it thrives in moist soil, particularly near oak trees or old orchards.
It is important to note that there are many toxic varieties of mushrooms that resemble edible ones, so it is always important to make a positive identification before consuming any wild mushrooms.
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Poisonous mushrooms
Mushrooms are a fun part of the Illinois landscape, with many edible varieties growing in the wild. However, it is important to be aware of the dangers posed by poisonous mushrooms. While most mushrooms are not toxic, there are over 100,000 known species of mushrooms, and less than 0.1% of them are poisonous. Still, accidental poisonings do occur, and they can sometimes lead to serious health complications or even death.
The "death cap" (Amanita phalloides), "destroying angel" (Amanita bisporigera), and "deadly webcap" (Cortinarius gentilis) mushrooms are among the most toxic varieties and can cause fatal liver and kidney damage if ingested. The "destroying angel" in particular may be confused with parasol or honey mushrooms, which are edible. The Jack-o-Lantern mushroom (Omphalotus illudens) is another commonly mistaken poisonous mushroom, as it resembles the edible Chanterelle mushroom in colour.
Other mushrooms that are known to be poisonous include the fawn mushroom (Pluteus cervinus) and the mica inky cap (Coprinellus micaceus). It is worth noting that even non-toxic mushrooms can induce allergic reactions in some individuals, so it is always important to exercise caution when consuming wild mushrooms.
To avoid accidental poisoning, it is strongly advised not to gather wild mushrooms for meals unless you are absolutely certain of their edibility. Positive identification is crucial, and even then, it is recommended to consult with experienced mushroom hunters or experts before consuming any wild mushrooms. The Illinois Mycological Association is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about the fungi of Illinois. They host various events and provide opportunities to connect with experts and other enthusiasts to learn about and identify wild fungi.
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Frequently asked questions
Some edible wild mushrooms found in Illinois include meadow mushrooms, honey mushrooms, morels, pheasant backs, chicken-of-the-woods, chanterelles, and hen-of-the-woods.
Spring is a great time to forage for wild mushrooms in Illinois, as morel mushrooms start appearing. However, most edible mushrooms grow in late summer and early fall.
The Illinois Mycological Association is a group of fungal enthusiasts that meets frequently to learn about fungi and document wild fungi. They host monthly meetings, mycologist-led surveys, and an annual show at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
It is important to be cautious while foraging for wild mushrooms, as many edible mushrooms have poisonous look-alikes. Always make a positive identification before consuming any wild mushrooms.
The destroying angel, for example, may be confused with parasol or honey mushrooms but is toxic enough to kill a person.
