Laura Smith
Orange mushrooms are a diverse group of fungi that can be found in various ecosystems, from forests and urban areas to suburban lawns. They come in a range of shades, from soft peachy hues to vivid neon colours, and can be cup-shaped, bell-shaped, or have large caps and stems. Some well-known types of orange mushrooms include the jack-o-lantern mushroom, the cinnabar chanterelle, the orange peel fungus, and the chicken of the woods. While some orange mushrooms are edible and praised for their nutty, floral flavours, others are highly toxic and should be avoided.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Jack-O-Lantern, Wandering Creamsicle, Wandering Parachute, Wandering Marasmius, Orange Peel Fungus, Chicken of the Woods, Cinnabar Chanterelle |
| Colour | Bright orange, orange-red, orange-pink, neon orange, reddish orange, yellowish orange |
| Shape | Bell-shaped, egg-shaped, conical, cup-shaped |
| Size | Large, small |
| Texture | Slimy, sticky, shiny, smooth, fibrous |
| Habitat | Forests, natural areas, urban areas, suburban lawns, deciduous wood, trails, road embankments, landscaped areas |
| Season | Summer, fall |
| Edibility | Some orange mushrooms are edible, while some are toxic |
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What You'll Learn
Cinnabar Chanterelle
One of the key identification features of cinnabar chanterelles is the presence of "false gills". Unlike true gills, these are wrinkles in the mushroom cap that get significantly thicker where they attach to the cap. False gills have rounded edges, while true gills have thin edges in comparison to their thickness. Cinnabar chanterelles also have white spore prints, although this is not a reliable identification feature as many similar species share this characteristic.
When foraging for cinnabar chanterelles, it is important to be cautious and distinguish them from poisonous look-alikes. If you are new to mushroom hunting, it is recommended to accompany a mushroom expert on a foraging trip to ensure safe identification.
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Orange Peel Fungus
The orange peel fungus, with the scientific name Aleuria aurantia, is a bright orange mushroom that is commonly found in North America, South Chile, and Europe. Starting as concave, cup-like fruit bodies, they can sometimes turn convex, resembling orange peels even more. They are usually found in disturbed areas, such as bare clay, exposed soil, and recently cleared stony forestry tracks. They are also commonly found along trails, road embankments, and in wooded landscaped areas.
This fungus is one of the few edible cup fungi, though it is not particularly tasty due to its lack of culinary value. It is challenging to collect intact, and its appearance is more appealing than its flavour. Despite its rarity in cooking, it can be used to add colour to salads.
The orange peel fungus has an interesting shape that evolves over time. Initially, it forms a cup shape but eventually develops into a contorted bowl, often splitting. This unique shape, along with its bright orange colour, makes it a whimsical and fascinating find for foragers and nature enthusiasts alike.
The species was first described in 1799 by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon, who named it Peziza aurantia. Later, in 1870, German mycologist Karl Wilhelm Gottlieb Leopold Fuckel transferred it to the genus Aleuria, giving it its current scientific name, Aleuria aurantia.
It is important to note that while the orange peel fungus is generally considered edible, not all orange mushrooms are safe to consume. Some varieties are highly toxic, and even edible mushrooms can cause adverse reactions in certain individuals. Therefore, it is always advisable to properly identify any wild mushroom before consuming it and to cook them thoroughly to ensure safety.
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Chicken of the Woods
When foraging for Chicken of the Woods, it is important to follow some key guidelines. Firstly, they should only be picked from dead trees or logs, and never from the ground. A sharp knife should be used to cut them from the tree. It is also important to clean them properly, as they cannot be soaked in saltwater like other mushrooms without becoming soggy and flavourless. Instead, they should be wiped with a damp cloth or sponge and scrubbed with a soft-bristled brush if necessary.
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Jack-O-Lantern
The rarity of Jack-O-Lantern mushrooms varies depending on the region. They are uncommon in western North America but are more commonly found in the midwestern and eastern United States, as well as in northern and central Europe. The European variant, Omphalotus olearius, typically has a darker cap with paler gills. In North America, common species include Omphalotus illudens and Omphalotus olivascens, the latter being prevalent in southern to central California.
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Wandering Creamsicle
The Marasmius vagus, also known as the Wandering Creamsicle, is one of Florida's most common lawn mushrooms. It is easily identifiable by its creamsicle colour, with a bright orange cap and a white stem. The gills of the mushroom run down the stem and are bioluminescent, and the spore print is white. The Wandering Creamsicle is often found in clusters, usually at the base of living oaks or from stumps or buried wood roots. They can also occasionally be found on other deciduous trees.
The Wandering Creamsicle is a beautiful but poisonous mushroom, and consuming it can cause severe stomach aches, headaches, sweating, nausea, exhaustion, vomiting, a bitter taste, and salivation. While it may resemble the chanterelle mushroom, which is edible and praised for its apricot-like, nutty, and slightly floral flavour, the Wandering Creamsicle should be avoided.
If you are new to mushroom hunting and wish to forage for the Wandering Creamsicle or other mushrooms in Florida, it is best to accompany a mushroom expert on a foraging trip. This will help you learn how to identify and distinguish between any poisonous and edible mushrooms that occur in the region. When in doubt about the identity of a mushroom species, it is always best to avoid consuming it.
The Wandering Creamsicle is a fascinating and distinctive part of Florida's ecosystem. Its bright colour and bioluminescent gills make it a captivating sight, even though it is not suitable for culinary use. Remember always to be cautious when encountering any wild mushrooms and to prioritize your safety and well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Some orange mushrooms are edible, such as the cinnabar chanterelle, while others are toxic, like the jack-o-lantern mushroom. Always be cautious when consuming wild mushrooms and consult a mushroom expert if you are unsure.
Orange mushrooms can be found in various habitats, including forests, urban areas, and even suburban lawns. They often grow on decaying wood, stumps, or roots, and can be found in clusters or tucked away in leaf litter.
Orange mushrooms can vary in shade from soft peachy hues to vivid neon colours. They can be large or small, with caps that range from egg-shaped to bell-shaped, and long or short stalks.
Yes, some common types of orange mushrooms include the cinnabar chanterelle, jack-o-lantern mushroom, orange peel fungus, chicken of the woods, and the wandering creamsicle.
Some orange mushrooms, like the cinnabar chanterelle, are known to have high antioxidant concentrations. However, not all orange mushrooms are edible, and it's important to properly identify them before consumption.
