How to Identify Orange Fungus

Orange fungus, otherwise known as orange peel fungus or Aleuria aurantia, has a distinctive appearance. You can easily identify orange fungus by paying attention to key characteristics. This fungus with the distinctive appearance typically grows from May through August in most of North America.

Things You'll Need

• Magnifying glass
• Binoculars

Instructions

1. Visit hiking trails, hard-packed soil or wooded areas where orange fungi grows. Be sure to go during the most likely time that the fungus thrives.

2. Look on the ground using your binoculars for bright, orange-colored fungi adjacent to trails or around the base of trees, especially on gravelly disturbed earth.

3. Check for orange fungi that appear similar to orange peels. Examine the inner surface of the fungus. Aleuria aurantia has a bright orange color and shiny finish on its concave side. This inner surface bears spores.

4. Carefully examine the outer surface of the specimen. Aleuria aurentia's outer surface appears pale and has a downy surface that you can see with a magnifying glass. The fungus attaches to the earth by way of mycelial threads and has no stalk.

5. Examine the shape of the fungus. Three to six centimeters in diameter or sometimes larger, Aleuria aurantia is initially shaped like a cup but later develops wavy margins that often split.

Tips & Warnings

• Orange fungi is edible and is used to add color to salads and a variety of other dishes.

• Before consuming any fungi that you find, consult a professional who can confirm its identification. Some fungi are poisonous.

References

• Aleuria aurantia
• Tom Volk's Fungus of the Month for June 2005