California Wild Mushrooms Identification

Mushrooms can be found growing on dead logs in the forest.

California is home to an enormous number of wild mushrooms. Identification of California's wild mushrooms is best accomplished with a field guide in hand.

Amanitas

The Amanita muscaria mushroom is easily found in dark California forests because of its bright-red color.

Amanita mushrooms have the classic mushroom shape: a cap upon a stem, with gills underneath the cap. Gills hang vertically, radiating outward from the stem, and produce the spores. Poisonous and nonpoisonous varieties exist in California and grow on lawns, compost and the forest floor.

Chanterelles

Chanterelles come in several colors, including bright yellow.

Chanterelles are a favorite edible mushroom and don't have too many lookalikes. Some are shaped like funnels, or have a convex or vase-shaped cap. Black, yellow, gray, brown, purple and white varieties exist in California, and they can be found in pine forests.

Morels

Morels grow best in the colder climates of California.

The morel is a highly desirable edible mushroom. It's tall and has an elongated, honeycombed cap. They're found in groups growing in a heavy mulch of leaves, and are among the first to be found after a cold winter. Some morels contain a toxin. Yellow and black morels grow in California coastal regions under pine trees.

References

• South Vancouver Island Mycological Society: Trial key to the species of AMANITA in the Pacific Northwest
• South Vancouver Island Mycological Society: Trial field key to the BOLETES in the Pacific Northwest
• South Vancouver Island Mycological Society: Key to Pacific Northwest CHANTERELLES
• South Vancouver Island Mycological Society: MORELS & FALSE MORELS of the Pacific Northwest

Resources

• MykoWeb: The Fungi of California