Classifiable Mushrooms (Part Six: 51-60)

Here are the next ten:

51. Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
52. Hericiums (Hericium species)
53. Hedgehog Mushroom (Hydnum repandum)
54. Pink-Tipped Coral Mushroom (Ramaria botrytis)
55. Cauliflower Mushrooms (Sparassis species)
56. Scaly Chanterelle (Gomphus floccosus group)
57. White Chanterelle (Cantharellus subalbidus)
58. Chanterelle, Golden Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius)
59. Horn of Plenty, Black Trumpet, Black Chanterelle (Craterellus cornucopioides)
60. Witch’s Butter (Tremella mesenterica)

Here is the list again with photos and accompanying paragraph of additional information:

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) showing multiple colors… hence its name!

51. Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor): Not Edible. This is another shelf fungus. The name versicolor means “several colors”, and that is an apt description. Cap size: 0.8-2.8 inches (2-7 cm) but can get to 3.9 inches (10 cm). It is very common and found around the world. Typically in groups, rows, and large masses or overlapping clusters on logs, stumps, and fallen branches of hardwoods, especially oaks.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)

Hericium coralloides

52. Hericium, Lion’s Mane (Hericium species): Edible. One of the more distinctive mushroom genera with its classic, white icicle-like appearance. There are a number of species in this genus, and some can be quite large (over 50 lbs/23 kg). All four North American species are edible (best when young) and virtually unmistakable. The fruiting body is 3.9-30 inches (10-75 cm) broad with tufts of spines hanging from them. Found growing solitary or in small groups on dead trees, stumps, logs, or fallen branches in many places around the world.

Hedgehog Mushrooms (Hydnum repandum)

Note the spines on these Hedgehog Mushrooms (Hydnum repandum)

53. Hedgehog Mushrooms (Hydnum repandum): Edible (choice!) This edible mushroom has rather unique spines hanging from the underside of the cap instead of gills or pores, and the stalk is often off-centered. It is commonly compared to a Chanterlle (see below) with a sweet, nutty flavor. It is sometimes bitter or peppery, but that usually disappears with cooking. Cap size: 0.8-6.7 inches (2-17 cm), but can get to 9.8 inches (25 cm). Found commonly in northern temperate climate zones and grows solitary, scattered, or in groups on the ground under hardwoods and conifers, sometimes in fairy rings.

Pink-Tipped or Clustered Coral Mushroom (Ramaria botrytis)

54. Pink-Tipped or Clustered Coral Mushroom (Ramaria botrytis): Edible (with caution). Some people rate this mushroom as choice, but others claim it causes diarrhea. David Aurora recommends trying it, because it is so large and fleshy and potentially good! This is a large coral fungus which starts off white or pale and eventually turns brown to tan with pink, purple, or red tips that fade with age. Fruiting Body: 2.8-7.9 inches (7-20 cm) tall and 2.4-11.8 inches (6-30 cm) in diameter. Common and widely distributed around the world under broadleaf trees.

Sparassis crispa

Sparassis brevipes

55. Cauliflower Mushrooms (Sparassis species): Edible. (choice, best when young and still creamy white). This is another unique coral mushroom that is difficult to mistake. The characteristic fruiting body is composed of wavy, flattened, leafy, or ribbonlike lobes. They fruit at the base of trees, and will fruit year after year in the same spot. Some mushrooms will have a spicy-fragrant odor as well. Fruiting Body: 6.3-23.7 inches (16-60 cm) tall and wide. They grow as parasites on hardwoods (especially oak) and coniferous. Most common in Europe and North America.

Scaly Chanterelle (Gomphus floccosus)

56. Scaly Chanterelle (Gomphus floccosus group). Poisonous. This mushroom has a classic vase-shape or trumpet-shape, classic in chanterelles. The surface can be red to yellow to orange, but often faded and not very bright. While some find this mushroom delicious, most will develop nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Fruiting Body: 1.2-5.9 inches (3-15 cm) broad and 2.0-7.9 inches (5-20 cm) tall. It is found in forests under conifers (fir, pine, hemlock, etc.) across North America and Asia.

White Chanterelle (Cantharellus subalbidus)

57. White Chanterelle (Cantharellus subalbidus): Edible (choice!). Here is another chanterelle that is a great edible. It has white flesh that bruises to yellow-orange-brown. It only lives on the west coast of North America: California to the Pacific Northwest. Cap: 1.6-5.9 inches (4-15 cm) across. Found under conifers.

Golden Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius)

58. Chanterelle, Golden Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius): Edible (choice!). This is the prized culinary Chanterelle, and one of my favorite mushrooms. It has a beautiful yellow to orange color with a light, fruity frangrance. There are a few look-alikes, so be certain of your identification. Cap: 1.2-5.9inches (3-15 cm) wide, but can get to 9.8 inches (25 cm). Commonly found in overlapping clusters on stumps and logs, but occasionally on living trees, of conifers and hardwoods. Widely distributed across northern Europe, North America, and Asia, but also found in Africa.

Horn of Plenty, Black Trumpet, Black Chanterelle (Craterellus cornucopioides)

59. Horn of Plenty, Black Trumpet, Black Chanterelle (Craterellus cornucopioides): Edible (choice!) This is a difficult mushroom to find due to its dark color, but it has a good flavor. I’ve made a wild mushroom risotto with this mushroom that was fantastic. Cap: 0.8-2.75 inches (2-7 cm) wide, but can get to 6 inches (15 cm). Found in the forests of North America, Europe, and eastern Asia under broadleaf trees (especially beech and oak).

Witch’s Butter, Golden Jelly Fungus (Tremella mesenterica)

60. Witch’s Butter, Golden Jelly Fungus (Tremella mesenterica): Edible. Many people are unfamiliar with the jelly fungi and their rubbery, gelatinous consistency. Witch’s Butter is a parasite of a fungus that decays wet wood (fungi in the genus Peniophora). While edible, this common jelly fungus is flavorless. Fruiting Body: 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) wide and 1-2 inches (2.5-5.0 cm) tall with an irregular shape. Found in crevices and cracks of decaying wood of deciduous and mixed forests in temperate and tropical climates around the globe except Antarctica.

Classifiable Mushrooms (Part Six: 51-60)

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