Laura Smith
Mushrooms are a lot like plants, but they are classified under a different kingdom—the fungi. They lack chlorophyll and have to take nutrients from other materials. There are many different types of orange mushrooms, including the sulphur shelf, chicken-of-the-woods, chanterelles, cinnabar chanterelle, golden chanterelle, jack-o'-lantern, and orange mycena. Mushrooms can be poisonous or edible, so it is important to be able to identify them correctly before consuming them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Chicken-of-the-woods, Sulphur Shelf, Laetiporus Sulphureus |
| Color | Bright Orange to Yellow-Orange |
| Texture | Smooth, suede-like |
| Shape | Fan-like or semicircular caps |
| Size | 2 to 12 inches across and up to 8 inches deep |
| Gills | Absent; tiny pores on the underside |
| Habitat | Hardwood trees in North America and Europe |
| Seasonality | Summer and Fall |
| Edibility | Edible and nutritious |
| Similar Toxic Species | Jack O' Lantern, Omphalotus illudens |
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What You'll Learn
Sulphur shelf mushrooms are typically orange
Sulphur shelf mushrooms, also known as Laetiporus sulphureus, chicken-of-the-woods, or chicken mushrooms, are typically orange or yellow. They are commonly found on hardwood trees, particularly oak, in North America and Europe. Sulphur shelf mushrooms grow in overlapping shelf-like clusters and can be identified by their fan-like or semicircular caps, which have a smooth and suede-like texture. These caps can range in size from 2 to 12 inches (5-30 cm) across and up to 8 inches (20 cm) deep.
The distinct colour of sulphur shelf mushrooms can vary from bright sulphur yellow to orange, with some exhibiting reddish tones or bright orange tips. As the mushrooms mature, their colour fades to a dull white, indicating that they are past their prime for consumption. It is important to correctly identify sulphur shelf mushrooms before consuming them, as there are similar-looking poisonous varieties, such as the Jack O'Lantern mushroom, which has distinct gills and a stem.
Sulphur shelf mushrooms are considered edible and choice by most people, although some individuals may experience allergic reactions. When consuming wild mushrooms, it is always advisable to cook them thoroughly and start with a small amount to ensure they do not cause any adverse effects. Sulphur shelf mushrooms have a unique, meaty flavour and are known for their texture, which resembles that of chicken. They are widely distributed east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and are typically harvested in the summer and fall seasons.
The sulphur shelf mushroom is a parasitic species that produce brown rot in their host trees. They are often found on wounded trees, primarily oak, but also eucalyptus, yew, sweet chestnut, willow, and, in some cases, conifers. Sulphur shelf mushrooms grow in clusters on standing dead or nearly dead trees, and a single tree can host multiple mushrooms, with individual mushrooms weighing over 50 pounds (23 kg).
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Chicken-of-the-woods is a bright orange edible mushroom
Chicken-of-the-woods, or Laetiporus sulphureus, is a bright orange edible mushroom. It is also known as the sulphur shelf mushroom or chicken mushroom. It is a large mushroom that grows in dense clusters on dead stumps, logs, and trees in deciduous forests. The mushroom caps are fan-like or semicircular, typically 2 to 12 inches (5-30 cm) across and up to 8 inches (20 cm) deep. The sulphur shelf does not have gills, and the underside of the caps is covered with tiny pores. The outer surface is smooth with whitish or pale yellow edges.
Chicken-of-the-woods has a unique, meaty flavor and a texture similar to chicken when cooked. It is a good source of potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, antioxidants, and flavonoids. It is also high in protein and carbohydrates while being low in fat and calories. This mushroom can be prepared in most ways that one can prepare chicken meat, such as barbecuing or frying. It can also be used as a substitute for chicken in vegetarian dishes. In certain parts of Germany and North America, it is considered a delicacy.
When foraging for chicken-of-the-woods mushrooms, it is important to follow some safety guidelines. Firstly, they should only be picked from dead trees or logs, and never from the ground. Use a sharp knife to cut them from the tree, and look for the distinct lack of stems and gills on the undersides. The mushrooms tend to be most tender when they are young, as they become tougher and filled with bugs as they age. It is important to only forage for chicken-of-the-woods mushrooms with someone highly experienced in identifying edible mushrooms, as many wild mushrooms can be poisonous.
After harvesting, chicken-of-the-woods mushrooms should be cleaned with a damp rag or sponge, and a soft-bristled brush can be used to scrub out any dirt. Unlike most other mushrooms, they should not be soaked in saltwater as they will become soggy and flavorless. These mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week and can also be frozen for long periods without losing their edibility. They can be sliced into strips and vacuum-sealed before freezing for future use.
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Jack O'Lantern mushrooms are bright orange and poisonous
Jack O'Lantern mushrooms, also known as foxfire mushrooms or Omphalotus species, are bright orange poisonous fungi. They are commonly mistaken for edible chanterelles, which are often described as having an egg-yellow colour. Jack O'Lanterns, on the other hand, are bright orange or pumpkin-coloured. They have a thick, fleshy, often curving stem and are usually much larger than chanterelles, sometimes growing to be 2-3 times larger.
Jack O'Lantern mushrooms have caused many poisonings because they are attractive and often abundant. They cause mild to severe stomach upset but are not life-threatening to healthy adults. They are also said to be bioluminescent, with the gills of fresh specimens giving off a faint greenish glow at night or in a darkened room. This bioluminescence is due to an enzyme called luciferase, acting upon a compound called luciferin, leading to the emission of light much like fireflies. The purpose of bioluminescence in this species is not yet known, but it is thought that it may attract insects to spread spores.
Jack O'Lantern mushrooms can be identified by their bright orange colour, as well as their characteristic gill arrangement. They have sharp, bendable, paper-like gills, while chanterelles have false gills that take the appearance of blunt ridges. Additionally, the stem of a Jack O'Lantern mushroom is the same shade of orange as the outer flesh, whereas the chanterelle is paler on the inside.
It is important to be able to distinguish between Jack O'Lantern mushrooms and chanterelles, especially since the former grows in large clusters during the summer and fall, often in the same woods and at the same time as the latter. They can be found in hardwood forests, as well as mixed woods with coniferous trees, but they will always be growing on or around hardwood trees.
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Orange Mycena mushrooms are small, sticky and bell-shaped
Orange Mycena mushrooms, scientifically known as Mycena leaiana, are small, sticky, and bell-shaped. They are a type of fungus, part of the kingdom Fungi, which includes yeasts, moulds, smuts, and rusts. This mushroom species is easily recognisable due to its bright orange colour, which can range from a vibrant reddish orange to a more muted yellowish-orange hue as the mushroom ages. The caps of these mushrooms are initially rounded or egg-shaped and become bell-shaped to conical as they mature, sometimes with a slight depression in the centre. The cap's surface is smooth and sticky, especially in moist weather, and can be anywhere from 3/8 to 1 1/2 inches (about 1 to 4 cm) in diameter.
The gills of the orange Mycena are quite distinctive, with bright red-orange edges and a lighter cream, salmon, or pale orange inner area. The gills are broadly attached to the stem and are moderately broad, with close to crowded spacing. The stem itself is typically 3 to 7 inches long and 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick, although some sources give a shorter range of 1 1/4 to 2 3/4 inches long. It is often curved or wavy, with a smooth texture that becomes sticky when wet. The stem is orange or yellowish-orange and is covered with dense, coarse hairs at the base.
These mushrooms grow in dense or tight clusters on deciduous wood, and they are widespread across eastern North America. They are not edible, partly due to their small size and rubbery texture, but they are also not considered poisonous. However, the orange pigment can stain the skin when handled. Orange Mycena mushrooms have generated interest for their potential medicinal properties due to the antibacterial and cytotoxic effects of the pigment leainafulvene.
Overall, Orange Mycena mushrooms are small, sticky, and bell-shaped fungi with distinctive colouring and growth patterns that make them unique and recognisable in the wild. While not suitable for culinary use, they may offer potential health benefits that have piqued the interest of researchers.
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Chanterelle mushrooms are orange and have false gills
Chanterelles do not have true gills like button or shiitake mushrooms. They have blunt ridges that fork and extend down the stem. These ridges are widely spaced, relatively thick, and have a similar colour to the cap, ranging from golden-yellow to pale orange or peach. The false gills are forked ridges or folds, and they do not detach from the stem or cap easily without causing damage to the mushroom.
False chanterelles, on the other hand, have true gills that are thin, blade-like structures radiating from the stem. They are mildly toxic and can cause gastrointestinal issues in some people. The false chanterelle is a deeper orange with no yellow, and the cap is usually brownish orange. The distinguishing difference is that it has clear and distinct gills that do not reunite with each other. The false chanterelle is also more frequent in conifer woodland Pine/Heather Heaths or sometimes Birch.
It is crucial to properly identify chanterelle mushrooms if you want to start harvesting them from the wild, as there are poisonous false species that can lead to severe intestinal issues.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals; they are fungi. Fungi do not have chlorophyll, so they have to take nutrients from other materials. Some mushrooms are orange due to the nutrients they absorb from their environment.
Some orange mushrooms include the sulphur shelf (also known as chicken-of-the-woods), cinnabar chanterelle, jack-o'-lantern, and orange mycena.
While some orange mushrooms like the sulphur shelf are edible, others like the jack-o'-lantern are toxic and should be avoided. It is critical to only forage for mushrooms with someone highly experienced at identifying both edible and poisonous mushrooms.
Orange mushrooms can be found in forests, particularly on decaying hardwood stumps, logs, and trees. They are commonly found in North America and Europe.
