Emma Wilson
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that come in a variety of colours, including goldish-orange. These mushrooms, often referred to as orange mushrooms, can be found in various ecosystems and grow in diverse environments, from lawns to forests. Some common types of orange mushrooms include the Marasmius vagus, also known as the Wandering Creamsicle, which is native to Florida, and the cinnabar chanterelle, which is known for its edible and tasty apricot-like, nutty, and slightly floral flavour. Orange mushrooms can be identified by their shade of orange, the shape of their caps, and the presence of gills, pores, or a spongy texture on the underside of their caps. While some orange mushrooms are edible, others can be toxic, so proper identification is crucial before consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Golden, orange, orange-red, orange-pink |
| Cap size | Small, 12-20mm in diameter |
| Cap shape | Smooth |
| Cap underside | Gills, pores, or spongy |
| Stem | Yes |
| Edibility | Some are edible, some are toxic |
| Aroma | Apricot-like |
| Habitat | Grow in yards, lawns, and gardens, near decaying organic matter, in shaded conditions, in warm temperatures, and high humidity |
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What You'll Learn
Identifying orange mushrooms
Mushrooms come in a variety of colours, including goldish-orange. Orange mushrooms are a feast for the eyes, ranging from soft, peachy shades to vivid neon hues and orange-red shades. They can be found in various ecosystems and grow in a variety of forms, including large cap and stem (pileus and stipe) mushrooms, as well as bracket and cup fungi.
If you come across orange mushrooms in your yard, you don't need to worry unless there are children or pets that play in the area. Orange mushrooms grow in yards because fungi in the soil start fruiting under ideal conditions. These ideal conditions include rich soil, shaded areas, warm temperatures, and high humidity. You will likely find orange mushrooms near decaying organic matter, under shrubs, in mulch, in the grass, and where tree trunks enter the ground.
There are many types of orange mushrooms, and some of the most common ones include:
- Marasmius vagus (the Wandering Creamsicle): This mushroom is one of the most common lawn mushrooms in Florida. It has bright-orange caps and tends to grow in clusters, arcs, and rings. The caps range in colour from apricot to pale orange, with the shade intensifying in dry weather and fading in wet weather.
- Cinnabar Chanterelle: This mushroom produces shades of orange-red and orange-pink that distinguish it from the more golden chanterelles. It is edible and known for its apricot-like, nutty, and slightly floral flavour with a peppery end note.
- Aleuria aurantia (Orange Peel Mushroom): This mushroom is mostly considered to have little culinary value.
When identifying orange mushrooms, in addition to their shade of orange, you can look at the shape of the cap, stem, and size. After picking the mushroom, examine the underside of the cap to see if it has gills, pores, or a spongy feel.
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Where orange mushrooms grow
There are several types of orange mushrooms, and they can grow in various places. Here are some examples of where you might find them:
In the Forest
The aptly named Chicken-of-the-Woods mushroom (Laetiporus sulphureus) grows in deciduous forests on dead stumps, logs, and trees. It is a bright orange to yellow-orange fungus with a cluster-forming habit. Another forest-dwelling orange mushroom is the chanterelle. Chanterelles are small woodland mushrooms with funnel shapes, convex caps, bright colours, and false gills that extend from the underside of the cap down into the stem. They are edible and can be prepared in various ways, such as sautéing with garlic, butter, and sage, or adding to pasta and cream sauces.
In Residential Yards
Orange mushrooms can also be found in residential yards, particularly near decaying organic matter in shaded conditions. They may be found under shrubs, in mulch, in the grass, or where tree trunks enter the ground. One specific type of orange mushroom that can be found in yards is the Marasmius vagus, commonly known as the Wandering Creamsicle. This mushroom has apricot to pale orange caps and is one of the most common lawn mushrooms in Florida.
Along Trails and Roadsides
The orange peel fungus (Aleuria aurantia) is a bright orange cup mushroom that often appears in disturbed areas such as trails, road embankments, and wooded landscaped areas. It tends to fruit from summer through fall, and in warm climates, it can continue fruiting all winter. While it is not considered a common edible, it is not toxic, and some people do consume it.
Near Trees
Some orange mushrooms grow near specific types of trees. For example, the tiny goblet waxcap mushroom is found near hardwood trees in deciduous woodlands, and sometimes in lawns. It has a small disc-like orange cap and a long, slender stem. The red pine mushroom, on the other hand, is found near pine trees. It has a carrot-orange cap and secretes an orange-red sticky liquid when fresh.
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Edible orange mushrooms
There are over 33 different types of edible orange mushrooms, but it is important to identify them correctly before consuming them. Some varieties of orange mushrooms are toxic.
The Cinnabar Chanterelle, Chantharellus cinnabarinus, is one such edible orange mushroom. It produces shades of orange-red and orange-pink that distinguish it from the more common golden chanterelles. The Cinnabar Chanterelle has a nutty, apricot-like, and slightly floral flavor with a peppery endnote. It is excellent when sauteed with garlic, butter, and sage. The flesh of the Cinnabar Chanterelle is solid and whitish to pale orange, and its aroma is reminiscent of apricots.
Another edible orange mushroom is the Wandering Creamsicle, Marasmius vagus, which is one of the most common lawn mushrooms in Florida. The caps of these mushrooms range in color from apricot to pale orange, with the shade intensifying in dry weather and fading in wet weather.
The Orange Peel Mushroom, Aleuria aurantia, is also mostly considered edible, though it is of little culinary value. This bright orange cup mushroom often appears in disturbed areas from summer through fall, and can be found along trails, road embankments, and in wooded landscaped areas.
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Orange mushroom varieties
Mushrooms come in a variety of colours, including orange. Orange mushrooms can be found in various shades, from soft, peachy tones to vivid neon hues and orange-red or orange-pink shades. They can be identified by the shape of their caps, stems, and size, as well as the characteristics of the underside of their caps, which may have gills, pores, or a spongy texture.
One of the most well-known orange mushroom varieties is the chanterelle. Chanterelles are edible and known for their apricot-like, nutty, and slightly floral flavour with a peppery end note. They are excellent when prepared in various ways, such as sautéing with garlic, butter, and sage. The cinnabar chanterelle is a species of chanterelle that produces various shades of orange-red and orange-pink, distinguishing it from the more golden-hued chanterelles.
Another orange mushroom variety is the Aleuria aurantia, commonly known as the "orange peel mushroom." This species is mostly considered to have little culinary value. However, it is important to note that not all orange mushrooms are safe to consume, as some varieties can be quite toxic.
One of the most common lawn mushrooms in Florida is the Marasmius vagus, also known as the wandering creamsicle, wandering parachute, or wandering Marasmius. These mushrooms have caps that range in colour from apricot to pale orange, with the shade intensifying in dry weather and fading in wet weather. They often attract attention due to their bright-orange caps and their tendency to grow in clusters, arcs, and rings in suburban lawns.
Orange mushrooms can be found in yards, particularly near decaying organic matter in shaded conditions. They thrive in rich soil, warm temperatures, and high humidity. If you encounter brightly coloured orange mushrooms in your yard and are unsure of the species, it is recommended to remove them if children or pets play in the area.
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Orange mushroom caps
Mushrooms with orange caps can be identified by their bright orange caps and their tendency to grow in clusters, arcs, and rings in suburban lawns. They are often conspicuous due to their vibrant colour. One such mushroom is the Marasmius vagus, commonly known as the wandering creamsicle, which is one of the most common lawn mushrooms in Florida. The caps of these mushrooms range in colour from apricot to pale orange, with the shade of orange intensifying in dry weather and fading in wet weather. The caps are small, measuring 12 to 20 millimetres in diameter, and are smooth to the touch.
Other orange-capped mushrooms include the cinnabar chanterelle, which produces shades of orange-red and orange-pink that distinguish it from the more golden chanterelles. The cinnabar chanterelle is edible and has a flavour that has been described as apricot-like, nutty, and slightly floral, with a peppery end note. These mushrooms can be prepared in various ways, such as sautéing with garlic, butter, and sage.
Orange mushrooms, in general, are wild mushrooms that grow in shaded, humid environments with rich soil and warm temperatures. They are often found near decaying organic matter, such as under shrubs, in mulch, in the grass, or where tree trunks enter the ground. While some orange mushrooms are edible, others are quite toxic, so it is important to properly identify any mushrooms found in your yard before consuming them. If you are unsure of the species and children or pets play in the area, it is best to remove the mushrooms.
When identifying orange-capped mushrooms, it is important to consider not only the colour of the cap but also its shape, as well as the overall stem shape and size of the mushroom. After picking an orange-capped mushroom, examine the underside of the cap to see if it has gills, pores, or a spongy texture. These characteristics, along with the colour, can help in determining the specific species of the mushroom.
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Frequently asked questions
Some goldish-orange mushrooms include the cinnabar chanterelle, Cantharellus coccolobae, and Cantharellus corallinus.
Orange mushrooms can be found in your yard, particularly near decaying organic matter, in shaded conditions, in grass, and where tree trunks enter the ground.
Apart from their shades of orange, the shape of the cap, stem, and size are identifying features. After picking the mushroom, look to see if the underside of the cap has gills, pores, or a spongy feel.
Some orange mushrooms are edible, while others are toxic. It is best to leave them alone or remove them if you are unsure of the species and children or pets play in the area.
