September 21st, 2007: Hey Chris, I’ve attached some pictures of a clump of shrooms growing in my backyard.  They’re there in the same place every year.  They sure are perdy but I don’t know what they are.  Thanks, Tim

These are a common good edible, with thorough cooking, http://morelmushroomhunting.com/armillariella_tabescens.htm, (Honey Mushrooms) -Chris M

September 21st, 2007: Hi Chris, Hope you're doing well. It's been really hot and dry here for about 2 weeks straight. We went out today and found a lot of oysters on dead beach trees but only one ground mushroom, a lone salmon waxy cap (hygrocybe pratensis). No sign of hens here, although Chris Ott said he found a little baby one up north. Hugh

September 21st, 2007: Brendon, pics of Polyozellus multiplex. they were much more blue before they were refrigerated.  Also what they turned into.

September 21st, 2007: Hello Guys Are these Honey Mushrooms? Found lehigh valley Pa 9/21/07 Thanks Birdman

Yes, these are the Ringed Honey Mushroom, http://morelmushroomhunting.com/armillariella_mellea.htm -Chris M

September 22nd, 2007: Chris,  I found these mushrooms in large numbers on 9/22.  I'm fairly sure they're Armillariella mellea, the Honey mushroom.  Could you help?  Also found numerous Grifola frondosa.  Thanks, Judy J MN

This does appear to be the ringed honey mushroom, proceed with caution! -Chris M

September 23rd, 2007: Hi, I have a patch of these strange and beautiful mushrooms growing in my yard after a few days of rain.  Can you help me identify.  Poisonous/not? Thanks for your help! Stacey NW Florida

This is probably an older specimen of the Bi-Colored Bolete, which is edible when young and fresh. Staining Boletes should be avoided unless you have experience though.- Chris M

September 24th, 2007: Fall mushrooms are slowly starting to come in central Ohio, despite the record heat (92 today). My usual patch of agaricus arvensis is coming up plus more chicken. Also, we found some really nice wild persimmons -- some compensation for a day with no shrooms. -- hugh, Columbus, OH

September 25th, 2007: Chris M, found nice patches of Black Trumpets, many species of Chanterelles, Boletes, Russulas, Lactarius and others in Twiggs County, GA.

September 28th, 2007: I foundnd my first hens.  They came about 10 days later than last year on my usual oak tree. I also found one nice lepiota rachodes. Also, there is what appears to be a teensy hen forming on the oak logs I plugged in my back yard. It could turn out to be something else, I guess. Hugh- Columbus

September 28th, 2007: Chris, Roger here with Tennessee Outdoorsman, I found a few shrooms I cant identify (the smaller golden brown ones) and what I think the larger whitish one is the calvatia craniiformis, which is an edible correct? Also when dealing with puffballs are there any dangers one should be aware of? what is good and what isnt? Images should be included in order first 3 unknown and the puffball last they aren't great quality but hope its enough. These where all found Sept. 27th in Morgan County Tennessee Thanks Roger

Roger, the above puffball photo is clear, the others I am just not going to be able to help with, as they are out of focus. Thanks, Puffballs should have no evidence of structure inside, and be solid white, never greenish purplish or yellowish. -Chris M

September 29th, 2007: Fall mushrooms are finally getting going here now in central Ohio. Honey mushrooms and shaggy manes are popping up on lawns, and I found one more fresh hen today on a  big oak stump. By the way, how do you cook shaggies? I haven't found a way yet where they don't turn to mush. Any recipes would be welcome. hugh

Hugh, you almost have to bring your frying pan to the field with you when collecting shaggy's, they dissipate so quickly. A quick sauté in butter has worked for me.- Chris M

September 30th, 2007:  Hi Chris,  Happy mushrooming to you.. Love your site and thanks for all the pictures that I sent in and you posted over the years. Anyway I guess there is a fall mushroom hunt going on in Iowa, and I didn't know until today, found a few  growing on a box elder trees. I have ate them a few times now and still have no idea what the real name is. could you help me out? We found this batch today 9-30-07 around Cherokee,Iowa.  Thanks for everything...  Dan Dan the mushroom

David W. Fischer
Mycologist, Author, Photographer, Musician
http://AmericanMushrooms.com
Coauthor, Edible Wild Mushrooms of North America and
Mushrooms of Northeastern North America

October 1st, 2007: We'll as you've heard from Hugh, Central Ohio hen season has finally begun. 3 weeks later than last year. Only a few of my early trees have produced so far. Good  luck, Chris O.

October 1st, 2007: hey chris,found a diamond studded puffball, but the rest unknown, the yellow ones may be chanterelles, smooth chanterelles or jackolanterns. any help would be helpful taygolf

Yes, you have chanterelles! Enjoy! -Chris M

October 2nd, 2007: October Washington Morels, I have reports that the Tripod Peak Complex in the North Cascades of Washington still producing morels and is expected to continue into October this year. I reported last fall and in previous yearsin other forums that this is a normal expectation for the North Cascade Mountains because I have often found late morels in the burnsites there. The report that I received is that Canadian pickers are crossing the border to pick the burn that is only about 1/4 mile south of British Columbia. When I was there in late July this summer there were folks riding their horses down from the Northern lands to pick in the restricted wilderness area. Most likely there are US citizens also picking morels in the area for I am certainly not the only one who knows about late season morels. -From John H

October 2nd, 2007: The Chanterelle Foray was a huge success down in Central Georgia. Bags-full of Chanterelles, Black Trumpets, Chicken Of The Woods, and many other edibles were found on Saturday.-Chris M

October 3rd, 2007: Hi Chris Am I right with my Id ? First Old Man of the Woods hiding in an oak next to ferns. Next a small Hen of the Woods on an old oak stump. Last the Prince mushroom. All found Oct 2 2007 in Whitehall Pa Cheers Birdman

#1- Correct, #2- Correct, #3- this is a poisonous Amanita!- Chris M

October 5th, 2007: I live in the highlands of Scotland. These were picked on the outskirts of a wood at the bottom of pine trees near a loch.  They were in groups almost hidden in the undergrowth and dropped leaves.  Once spotted there was an abundance of them so we picked them and put in a basket and took home, photographed and sent to you after reading 4 mushroom books and still not daring to eat them. Please can you advise if they are actually Chanterelle or false chanterelle as we are now totally confused with the gill description.  We don’t want to die yet as we are twins and only turned 40 last week. Thanks in hope. Frances Hobson and Jacqueline Harbert – The Highlands of Scotland

You do have Chanterelles there in Scotland! Enjoy! - Chris M

October 7th, 2007: Hamilton, Missouri,,,,,northwest, Flo, Just joined your club,,,,,,,,,,,,love your site, and would hate for it to end,,,,,,,,,,,We eat lots of morels and puffballs, and would like to eat more,,,,,,,,,,,I have some shruns I would love to get help with please,,,

The above photo appears to be Suillus granulatus.

The above appears to be Agaricus campestris.

The above appear to be badly decayed oyster mushrooms.

The above appears to be Laccaria ochropurpurea.

October 8th, 2007: We went to A.W. Marion S.P. today and found one really nice hericium coralloides. I'm also attaching a photo of the h. americanum that Chris Ott found yesterday so you can really see the difference between the two. They taste almost identical -- both excellent
-- hugh, Columbus

October 9th, 2007: I had a Coral tooth log that I brought home a several years ago(my Hericium Barometer)that told me to start looking. I found another log Thursday sorry no photo of this log)in a rest area that had 3 pounds or so on it.  Also found Lions Mane and a Layered Tooth (accidentally picked it, thought it was another Lions Mane, I don't recommend it to eat its supposed to be edible but has a sour taste) You will see it on the photo as well as my grandson (5 years old today and can already identify at least 10 different kinds of shrooms) Also found 1 Maitake and Ringed and Ringless Honeys(no photo because they are killing too many trees and do not deserve to be photographed) All in Southwest Mo. Jason Lemaster

October 10th, 2007: My name is Scott and I'm a new mushroom hunter.  I like your web site. today was my first mushroom hunting trip.  I hate to admit that I have not a clear idea waht I have.  so I thought I'd ask you.  I can only attach 5 photos so I may need to send a 2nd email. First is "god knows".  I found this on a dead tree that had split... mostly still standing.  It was about 6" off the ground and a double shelf on a  thick stem.that projected fromt eh trunk a bit.  I first thoguth it was an oyster but it seems a bit firm and the gills are corugated.  the other side of the tree had what i'm pretty shure were clusters of small oyster mushrooms.  also included a picture of my suspected oyster.  These were light tan to white with the darker center section on the cap and growing from under the bark of the rotting tree.  The same tree had some really hard type of mushrooms on it.  so tough they were difficult to cut and when broken the bark came off.. dense and dark brown inside with corrugated gills.  You could nearly stand on them... what were these? Then there is the Wood ears.  I'm fairly confidant about these but not certain.  They were growing out of a standing sapling that was dead.... and from little pores in the wood or slots.. and from thsoe holes and cracks these dark amber jelly like ear looking masses .  is that what these are? Then I came across a fallen log that was Buting open with what I think are "pear puffballs".  they were in clusters with a kind of fine stringy root system.  They are clean white all the way through when cut.  the log was quite squishy and rotten.... The mushrooms are all about the size of a large marble but they could be young... it rained only yesterday. And then some puffballs.  I almost stepped on them looking for other mushrooms.  they were in groups of 2-4.  none huge but most about the size of a base ball.  Some turned slightly greenish when cut and tons of yellow brownish fluid running.  I left those in the field.  I cut their bases and the flesh was clean white but with time it's getting a tad brownish. Can you help?

October 10th, 2007: Hi Chris, I just found this in my backyard – to me it looks like polyporus squmosus. It was not there 4 or 5 days ago. What are your thoughts? Thanks, Mary

October 10th, 2007: Tzvi Grossman,Hen of the woods - general location = Sharon, MA, Growing Conditions = Under Oak tree Additional Comments = 2 very small hens of the woods (about 1 1/2 lb. total) in one of my regular spots.  These are the first hens I've seen in what has been a very dry season.  Haven't seen any chickens yet either.

October 11th, 2007: Hi Chris Can you tell what these are from this picture? No staning or latex when cut,is this a type of milky or a russula.Maby the milk white russula? Cheers Birdman

Clitocybe? -Chris M

October 11th, 2007: Sulphur shelf is up for the therd time here in the Lehigh Valley Pa Cheers Birdman

October 11th, 2007: Hello, I am a teacher and am curious about a find that my class & I  found.  I think it is a mushroom.  We found it on the ground growing  in the grass.  It begins as a white ball that is golf ball size.  The  next day if is bright red with juicy black spots and blows (hollow) 
to an uneven-shaped ball the size of a baseball.  Can you help me  with what it is?  I have searched & will continue to search the  Internet, however, as of yet have found nothing. Thanks, Monica Maybe a stinkhorn, I would have to see a photo.- Chris M Thanks for responding.  I only had my camera phone, but here's the picture.

 Yes, you have a nifty stinkhorn there! http://morelmushroomhunting.com/clathrus_ruber.htm- Chris M

October 11th, 2007:  Randy Marchand, BC Canada, found loads of Matsutake!

October 13th, 2007: Hi, I realized I should just send you these pics. We found what I believe are King Boletes in a Portland Oregon area yard. And what I believe are Birch Boletes currently in my own backyard under a Birch. Heres the pics. Please  post these for others to see if you'd like. Also, correct me if I'm wrong on the ID's. Thanks, Josh and Lisa.

October 13th, 2007: Hi Chris... Found these Hens today - The older one was found in NW Lake County, Indiana & the other one was found in Southern Cook County, Illinois. This makes 5 since late September... Mary

October 14th, 2007: Is this a shaggy main, I have found them in my back yard in the grass. Keith Weed CA.

Yes, you have Coprinus comatus, Shaggy Mane! -Chris M

October 15th, 2007: Found these on a willow log on 10-13,White spore print Homerville ohio Thanks Rich Hill

I am not certain on this one, I have emailed Dave, lets see what he thinks....- Chris M

October 15th, 2007: HI, JUST FOUND THESE MUSHROOMS IN MY BACK YARD--WE LIVE IN MISSOURI, ARE THE HONEY MUSHROOMS. ARE THEY GOOD TO EAT, IF SO DO YOU EAT THE STEM OR JUST THE HEAD. THANKS  RON 

Yes, you have http://morelmushroomhunting.com/armillariella_tabescens.htm. I only like them when they are young button stage, very tender. - Chris M

October 15th, 2007: Hi Chris, can you or someone else in the club take a look at the attached pictures and tell us what kind of mushroom this is?

looks like it came from the Moon. St. Louis Steve

You have the Giant Puffball there! http://morelmushroomhunting.com/calvatia_gigantea.htm - Chris M

October 15th, 2007: Hi Chris, Thanks for the invitation to the foray I would so like to be able to go it is very far and not enough planning went into my situation. Anyhow, we bought this cycad at walmart a year or more ago and transplanted it into this larger pot using sterile(?) potting soil...and here are little unidentified suprised growing in the pot.  They are not much more than pins and early in development but I found them interesting and am curious as to what they might be... see attached photos.  Fork is for scale.

These are lepiota lutea, and are common to come up in flower pots. - Chris M

October 15th, 2007: Dear Expert, I have found these musrhooms growing out of a silver maple log that I cut.  I'm not sure what kind of mushroom they are and wonder if they're edible.  The one in the picture is about 2" in diameter but the other ones range from very small to about 3".  I live in Northeast Ohio.  Can you help? Faith

These appear to be the Ringed Honey Mushrooms, and are edible. - Chris M

October 16th, 2007: Hi, I just found your web page , what fun. I ran out and took this pic. from the Pacific Northwest, just had some heavy rain, I am very close to ocean( 4miles) . This is taken on the side of a hill behind my barn, we just cut down some heavy blackberries. these mushroom are at least 6 inches across, with thick thick stems. They start out with a very rounded cap which eventually slip. If these mushrooms are edible, I am in hog heaven. Lots of shaggy manes just a few feet away in the grass, had some the other nite. I have nice boletes too right now, it is just hard to get to them before the slugs. Chantrelles are in the mountains, but I don't know where anymore so I bought a pound at Costco for 8.98 and they are great. Looking forward to hearing from you. brenda rye

Chris M- Agaricus?

October 16th, 2007: Eric, Is these Morels that I found?

Sorry Eric, you have stinkhorns! http://morelmushroomhunting.com/phallus_impudicus.htm - Chris M

October 17th, 2007: Just thought it would be fun to pass this one along.  This was 10/13 - beginning of the Steinpilz season in Oregon ! Alison

October 18th, 2007: Chris M, found Lactarius chelidonium in Bibb County, Georgia. Also found Amanita muscaria and Amanita caesearia growing right next to each other!

October 19th, 2007: Hugh found a Hen and a clump of Honey's at the base of the same tree in Columbus.

October 20th, 2007: Chris found crowned tipped coral and Boletellus chrysenteroides in Central Gerogia.

October 21st, 2007: Steve Greenwald  Meadow Mushroom (Agaricus campestris) - general location = I've been getting these from my back yard for 3 weeks, a few flushes at a time. I've had them cooked with 3 meals and have enough in the frig. for another meal. There's more coming up in the yard now too. I'm just east of Dayton, Ohio.

October 21st, 2007: Hi Chris, I really don't know what kind of mushroom it is but I'll tell you what I can and I have photos too...I'm in West Central Scotland.
There were lots of these on a large fallen log in a mixed deciduous wood. The mushrooms were all very sticky on top of the cap, kinda beige on top
with snowy white gills. It doesn't look too appetizing due to the slime probably.  Smells quite nice, kind of earthy or maybe delicate mushroom. I'm trying a spore print overnight.  I'll let you know if there's anything useful produced. Hope the Photos help.

Sorry, this time I am at a loss. I had an idea, but the ring seen on the stem exempts my guess....- Chris M

October 22nd, 2007: Hi, specialist, I found these 2 kinds of mushrooms in my front yard grass (Canada northern Ontario area) every year, not sure if they’re edible or I should throw them away. Thanks. Emily

October 21st, 2007: Hey Chris.. Heres pics of those Kings.. (there was a couple of manzanitas mixed in as well.) use whatever ones you'd like.
Found under coastal pines and spruce in sandy soil sometimes in the grass and sometimes in moss or just the duff.  Cheers.. Loren

October 22nd, 2007: I found the mushrooms in the puicture in my back yeard in South Orange, NJ on October 10th growing in the mulch under a maple tree.  Can someone identify them for me/  Thanks.  Dan Anbar

http://morelmushroomhunting.com/phallus_revenelii.htm - Chris M

October 22nd, 2007: Hi Chris, I spent the afternoon out in the local maples, hickories, and birches yesterday. I found a few Boletes that were past their *Use By:* date. The rest, I am entirely uncertain of. I found several clusters of what may be Honey Mushrooms, but I didn't bring anything home with me, due to my uncertainty. I did, however get a couple hundred photos. I am attaching a few here, for your help in indentifying some of them. My location is Northeast Ohio/Northwest PA. Date was Oct-20-07. FOrest growth is all hardwoods. Mostly Maples, with a few oaks, birch, and hickories mixed in. Thanks in advance, Drew

You have a nice fruiting of Honey Mushrooms, enjoy! - Chris M

October 23rd, 2007: Hello Gentleman,  we love mushrooms and saw this growing in the front yard of our Fayetteville, NC home.  I am a longtime hunter for edible mushrooms, but first time finder. Can we eat these, every one we know thinks not. Me and my little girl harvested them.  Any information you can provide is greatly appreciated. 

These are Honey Mushrooms, but I do caution you that there is always a slight possibility that a Deadly Galerina will fruit on a stump right beside a clump of Honeys, and I do not like them when they are this mature either, I like them young and fresh.- Chris M

October 24th, 2007: Did our first mushroom hunting in the Pacific northwest (Oregon, Mt. Hood area) and found Chanterelles.  But we also found some larger black mushrooms that we're having trouble identifying.  They don't quite match the pictures in the guidebooks or online that we've seen of the black trumpet mushrooms.  They don't have gills underneath but do have a slight trumpet shape.  They almost look like blue-pored polypores, though it's hard to tell since they are wet and seem darker than the pics we've found of those (and we think that's only eastern U.S.  Any chance you could take a look at the attached picture and give us your thoughts?  Your website is great! Appreciating any help you can offer, Jon and Robin

Best I can come up with is The best I can come up with is Hydnellum regium. Non-edible. Interesting- Chris M

October 25th, 2007: Hello Chris Any idea what kind of mushroom this is? Found today 10/25/2007 Whitehall Pa growing n a compost pile of grass clippings and leaves. Cheers Birdman

This looks like a Wine-Cap Stropheria, they like the cooler weather. - Chris M

October 26th, 2007:Hi Chris these king boletes were found on the Oregon coast this Wednesday in state parks and campgrounds. This year in Oregon for morels, boletes, and cauliflower, were outstanding but the chanterelles are not what they usually are. Oddly enough the huge kings did not have maggots only slugs had been eating them. I guess I will be giving dried boletes for Christmas presents! Chef pmack

October 26th, 2007:Hey chris I was wondering if you could Identify these mushrooms that I found.  I live in ohio just south of Columbus and they are coming up like mad  in my horse pasture.  Its just a few acre grass plot and with all the rain there are all kinds of mushrooms coming up ...  I did find a few puffballs to and I know forsure what they are.  I was wondering if the ones in the photos are edible or not ..  I found them on Oct. 26 around 5:00 in the afternoon ....    Any input on these would be greatly appriciated..   also if you would like you can put these on your website....

The pink gills put them into the Agaricus species, and probably the Meadow Mushroom, a good edible. - Chris M
 

October 27th, 2007: Drew Noles Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) - general location = Pierpont Ohio (Ashtabula County) Growing Conditions = Maple and birch primarily, with a few interspersed shag bark hickories and oaks.All of these were found growing on dead birch trees.

October 28th, 2007: Well, we found these mushrooms in a grassy behind the house.  We are in southern Ohio between Chillicothe and Athens.   We found some puffballs as well.  We were brave and already ate a few and now a little worried after reading some sites about poisonous mushrooms.  Can you identify these and are there more than variety.  Some of the ones we ate had pink gills but looked like the larger one in the pics.  Sure hope you can help.  Denise

The pink gills put them into the Agaricus species, and probably the Meadow Mushroom, a good edible. - Chris M

October 28th, 2007: The Ohio Hen Of The Woods Foray was a huge success, we found over 15 species of edible mushrooms, including Lepiota naucina, Puffballs, Hen Of The Woods, Hericium, Pluteus cervinus, Oyasters, Mica Caps, Honeys, Aborted Entolomas, Shaggy Manes among others. We had one of the biggest feasts ever on Sunday! Steaks with Hens Fettucini, and Cream of Morel Soup! The complete story will be available to view in the November Newsletter. - Chris M

October 29th, 2007: can you tell me what type this is ? photo att. Its on the olympic penninsula., Washington state.

I cannot nail it down exactly with this one photo, but obviously it is a coral mushroom, check out the group, and see what you think: http://morelmushroomhunting.com/coral_mushrooms.htm

- Chris M

October 29th, 2007: Hello Chris, Here's some pictures of a fairy ring of big meadow mushsrooms (Agaricus campestris) and the ones in the basket I found on 10/24/07 in my neighbors yards. I've been picking some from my yard for 3 weeks but I've been getting them before they get real big and still have very pink gills. The other 3 pictures are what I believe are Destroying Angels (Amanita virosa). Can you verify what they are from my slightly blurry pictures? The spore print was white. These are growing in my front yard and another neighbors yard now too. Thanks Steve Greenwald

These do resemble the deadly Amanita, but in fact they are Lepiota Naucina, and are edible, but I cannot ever recommend these due to how someone could easily miostake them for the Amanita! - Chris M

October 30th, 2007: Cascades Mushroom Question, hello, the first looks to be a chanterelle variety, but it was very flimsy (in good health) and the gills were between blade and blunt, but forking. smelled of apricots. wasn't 100% so i left them. the second was just a gorgeous, abeit bizarre, thought you might know. thanks, patrick

This is a Chanterelle.

This is Helvella crispa, edible, sometimes rare. - Chris M

October 31st, 2007: Hi - I hope you can identify the following.   These grow every year under a tree which I do not know the name of but could send you a picture if it might help.  I live in Edmonds Washington.  I just found your web site and love it.  Thanks for any help you are able to give me.  I also have several other pictures of mushrooms growing in my yard but will wait to send.

You have the delicious King Bolete, Boletus edulis, Porcini in Italian! - Chris M

October 31st, 2007:

These are Suilus Luteus, I like these, but I dry them first, as they can be slimy. - Chris M

November 1st, 2007 Larry,  in warren county ohio. south western ohio Chickens!

November 1st, 2007: Hugh, Columbus, We found many clusters of brick caps (Naematoloma sublateritium) today on a dead log, all in button stage. No hens, though. :(

November 2nd, 2007: Norwell MA, 15 miles south of Boston. Hi, I just joined your site. I have found it very helpful. I had a great Sep and Oct. Found quite a few chicken mushrooms in the same spots as years before, some nice, young, oyster on a beech log and a soccer ball sized cauliflower. All were excellent eating. I was hoping you could help with these boletes. All were found in deciduous forest in the same spot. Caps were sticky when found but have since dried out. there appears to be no staining. There are hundreds more. Please let me know what you think. Thank you, Bob Maynard

These are A Suillus species, maybe Chicken Fat Suillus, and are good when dried especially. Glad you joined the club, we have a lot of fun here even during mushroom off-seasons! - Chris M

November 2nd, 2007: Hello, Chris. Finding lots and lots of these big puffballs right now here in northeast Mississippi. A few days ago my neighbor called me over to take a look at a big mushroom growing in her backyard. It was a monster of a puffball! The biggest I have yet seen growing around here. It almost appears to be two puffballs grown together (one growing on top of another). I have attached pics of this large puffball and and pics of the regular size puffballs. A HUGE difference! Also, seeing lots of honey mushrooms around.  Scott F

November 3rd, 2007: I saw a few hypsizygus tessulatus on a box elder in Columbus today. They're not bad when you get them young, and can be good in stir-fry -- hugh

November 4th, 2007: We went to Mohican S.P. today. No hens, unfortunately, but some other interesting things were around: nice thick oysters,  lots of brick caps, salmon waxy caps,  puffballs, yellow oyster mop (tricholomopsis sulfureoides), and golden-spotted waxy cap (hygrophorus chrysodon). Note the yellow scales on the top of the stalk and the yellow spots on the cap of the hygrophorus chrysodon -- hugh, Columbus.

November 4th, 2007: Hey Chris,  I found this mushroom growing in my field and thought it was weird.  The light colored end is what was in the ground.  Any idea what it is ? Mike Hagerstown, Indiana

http://morelmushroomhunting.com/mutinus_elegans.htm - Chris M

November 4th, 2007:Hi Chris, I went out on my second mushroom hunting session and found some sweet 
golden chanterellea and a beautiful Cauliflower mushroom. And we  found these. they seem like they are white chanterelle? But who am I  to say. They seem very similar to them, but there were hundreds of  these sweet lil buggers right next to the road and I know that there  has been other mushroom hunting going on in these parts due to the  occasional mushroom that has been uprooted and laid on a tree stump.These are from the pacific northwest, Oregon to be precise, about  2000-3000 ft elevation at the foothills of the cascades (by Mt Hood).
Do you think these are white chanterelle, or if not, what do you  think they would be.thanks for the info and the site full of info! Jon and Robin

November 4th, 2007: hi chris,  found these mushrooms in my back yard near portland, maine.  i think they are B. subcaerulescens. its hard to see in the picture but they have a very distinct netting on the stem. the mature mushroom is probably 8-9 inches accross.  whatever the species, they smell amazing, earthy and nutty fresh and buttery dried. the colors seemed to be a little closer to pinophilus but it stained blue slowly and then to ochre. i love your website,  thanks Kevin

B. subcaerulescens would be my best guess also, with the faint blue staining. This is a close species to B. edulis.

November 4th, 2007: enrico esposito, hen of the wood - general location = Great Neck area  Nassau co. NY
Growing Conditions = under oaktrees, Additional Comments = Under one single tree i`ve found 2mushroom of about 15 lbs each and 10 4to5 lbs each.

November 7th, 2007: Hi Chris.Jessica and I would like to say thank you. We had an amazing time at the foray and do not worry about the kitchen. The resulting deliciousness was by far, worth it. And talk about meeting GOOD people, I think we met some of the best. Attached are pics of hericium and ringed honey mushroom from Central Ohio. The former on maple. The latter on oak.

November 8th, 2007: Hello Chris, Found this on a hunt in WA at 5000 ft about 40 miles East of Mt. Rainier.  Any idea what it is?  HUGE!  Growing on South side of large burn scarred yellow pine. Also found 4 frozen black morels. Love the site…keep up the good work…or is it work?

November 9th, 2007: Tom Nauman's foray with New York Times reporter:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/09/travel/escapes/09mush.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin

November 11th, 2007: Hi Chris, Stumled upon your website while searching information about mushroom
hunting in Oregon.  I thought maybe you would be able to identify this Thing I found. I took the picture at the Oregon Coast at Oswald Park in July.  It had rained for over a week... One of the most beautiful/haunting vegitation I've seen.  If you know what it is, let me know. I'm very curious. Thanks, Jon

Monotropa uniflora, not actually a fungus. Common name- Indian Pipe. -Chris M

November 12th, 2007: We found one pretty nice lion's mane, plus about 2 lbs of wild persimmons at Hargus lake
-- hugh

November 16th, 2007: I saw several nice clusters of flammulina velutipes (enokitake) yesterday. One was on a dead cherry tree, the other on a stump that was also covered with honey mushroom. In the second photo they were buried under leaves so you can see how pale they are when not exposed to light. Also, my usual oyster stump has a little baby cluster on it Columbus Ohio - Hugh

November 20th, 2007: A beautiful fresh hen appeared on my neighbor's silver maple tree. It doesn't appear there every year -- roughly every other year. It's in perfect shape. Makes me wonder if there might be more still coming, given all the weird weather this fall... Also, my usual oyster stump has a nice cluster of baby oysters on it. -- hugh
 

November 23rd, 2007: There has been a new mushroom species found growing underwater in the cold waters of the Rogue River in Oregon: Psathrella aquatica. First know mushroom to grow underwater. Very interesting. Pam http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071120/NEWS/711200303

November 24th, 2007: Chris, I have found these every year in in the same spot and think they are Ganoderma lucidum. They have a large central stem and the pore surface (quarter of an inch thick or so) is white-ish that does turn redish-brown with age.The photo shows one that is a year old on the right and some smaller ones from this year on the left. They are hard to see in the photo(should of cleared the leaves off them) I was wondering if you knew the time frame of the growth for these. In other words how long does it take for the cap to mature. I am thinking of going back to harvest them for tea, but am unsure how long they have been up.You had sent some E-mails to me a while back and some computer glitch caused them to be delayed for 45 days so I did not respond. That will not happen any more--sorry Jason Lemaster

Jason, I am not able to verify if they are Ganoderma with this photo, they look like it though. Ganoderma do grow slowly up to 3 months sometimes, and mainly in the summer.- Chris M

November 28th, 2007: David Guzman, morchella deliciosa - general location = It was amazing i found them in a yard in Visalia California, United states. I found 9 on my first run and 22 on my second run and tons of pictures! BTW the most amazing part I FOUND THEM ALL THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER! fresh and delicious! Growing Conditions = In the midst of bark with a variety of young trees and bushes., Additional Comments = I would like to know if anyone else has ever found morels in the valley,it was in the southern part of california. if you know of visalia and fresno you would realize how spectacular this is just let me know if you want the pictures they were beautiful and you should have seen me jumping around and hollering i could not believ i found them. i always thought i would have to travel far and wide with the hopes to finding morels but low and behold theres a patch i pick regularly on my block.
 

December 1st, 2007: Hello, Chris. Found a few nice ones today here in northeast Mississippi. Found this large hen-of-the-woods growing between the roots of a large fallen oak. A few feet away I found a very nice cluster of oysters growing from the trunk of another fallen oak. Then to my suprise I found a cluster of these orange oysters(?) growing from the trunk of a large fallen pine tree. First time I can recall seeing these. Are these true oysters? edible? I also saw a few other edibles today - fawn mushroom, puffball, and russula., Scott F.

December 1st, 2007: I found a few nice healthy Brown Matsutakes and one Amanita here in Central Georgia. - Chris M

December 2nd, 2007: The cool weather finally came this year, and there have been a lot of fall mushrooms out in the last week or so in central Ohio. In addition to the beautiful hen I found on Nov. 21 -- just in time for Thanksgiving :)  -- I saw a patch of very large shaggy parasols, many shaggy manes, plus an enormous flush of oysters, flammulina velutipes and tree ears all on one fallen hackberry tree. There were at least 30 lbs of gorgeous oysters there, plus another pound or so of flammulinas. In the first photo attached you can see oysters, flammulina and tree ears all growing within about a foot of each other on the same branch. -- hugh, Columbus

December 2nd, 2007: Chris, Here in Southwest Mo. it has gotton to 18 degress once and hit 22 several times. The Oysters just keep poppin even though it has only rained 1 inch in the last month and a half. Humidity is the key! The following photos were taken this weekend and you can multiply these by 8 for what I have picked since Nov. 1st. About 25 pounds or more. Wish you could join me for a fryin party, Happy Holidays--Jason Lemaster

December 4th, 2007: Check out this $330,000.00 Truffle! No joking! -Chris M

www.reuters.com/news/video/videoStory?videoId=71888

December 7th, 2007: I did take this photo of Oysters in the snow yesterday evening. I could try to get a better shot of the whole batch today when it's sunnier. As you can see I had to dig a bit to find it -Hugh

December 9th, 2007: Chris M found nice fruitings of Hericium, and also Pluteus cervinus in Central Georgia.

December 10th, 2007: the oysters survived the snow just fine and are getting to be nice, thick and beautiful now.- Hugh

December 11th, 2007: Skip from Virginia found many pounds of fresh Oyster Mushrooms.

December 12th, 2007: Lots of mushrooms came out after the recent snow melted, including millions of flammulina velutipes, many oysters and tree ears. All perfect for stir-fry. -- hugh

December 15th, 2007: Chris M found about 12 pounds of fresh Honey Mushrooms, and a few nice Agaricus in Central Georgia.

December 19th, 2007: Hello, Chris. Found a few more oysters today. Unfortunately most of them were too old to save, but I did come away with a handful of fresh ones. Also found quite a few deer mushrooms and jelly ear mushrooms. I'm not a big fan of the jelly ear, but my son wanted to bring a few home to sample. These were all found in Monroe County, Mississippi. Scott F.

December 20th, 2007: Chris M found about 10 pounds of very large Pluteus petasatus in central GA.

December 21st, 2007: Drew Noles, Oyster - general location = Pierpont Ohio, Growing Conditions = Maple/Birch hardwoods, with a few scattered oaks and shagbark hickories.  Additional Comments = I went out for a while yesterday (Friday, December 21, 2007) hunting in the snow, I only found these two, but there's enough for a meal at least.

December 22nd, 2007: Chris M. found 3 pounds of Blewits, and 2 pounds of Brown Matsutake, as well as a Hericium in Central GA.

December 23rd, 2007:Hi Chris,  After spending all day looking at your site. I went hunting. Found a real nice Lions Mane near Lake Murray South Carolina, Newberry County on 12/23/2007. ( see attached photo ) It was delicious!! I'm hooked a shroom hunting! Thanks, Randy Martin

December 24th, 2007: Hi Chris, 12/24/2007  I went again today and found, what I think might be oyster mushrooms. I need your help in identifying them. I have about 15#s of them in the fridge. Very exciting to walk up on a huge bunch.  Attached are 3 diferent trees. Are they all mushrooms, Thanks very much! Randy Martin, Lake Murray- Newberry county sc

Yes, all of your photos were nice fresh Oyster Mushrooms! Enjoy! - Chris M

December 25th, 2007: Chris M found a nice batch of fresh Suillus in central Georgia.

December 27th, 2007: CHRIS , AM I TOO LATE FOR THE BIGGEST OF 2007? FOUND IN PANA IL DECEMBER 24TH 2007 BETSY BARRIX

December 27th, 2007: We found a bunch of large, nice late fall oysters (panellus serotinus) plus more regular oysters, tree ears and flammulinas. The panellus can sometimes be a little bitter, in my experience, but these were good

December 28th, 2007: David Warner from Indiana, I went out today (in the rain), Dec. 28 and actually took some pictures of fresh mushrooms. This goes to show how mild the winter has been. 

December 30th, 2007: Chris M found Hawk's Wings (Hydnum) in Central GA.

December 31st, 2007: I harvested over 50 pounds of edibles today, Oysters, Brown Matsutake, Russulas, Blewits, Waxy Caps, and more! - Chris M, Central Georgia

December 31st, 2007:check these out! its gotta be a cousin of morels. the interesting thing is that once i rinsed off the spore slime it smelled pretty good! earl knows a fella that ate one on a bet. actually it looks pretty palatable. err...   "famous last words" ive also been finding lots and lots of oysters.- Casper, Chattanooga

January 1st, 2008: Happy New Year! I went out today, as a strong cold front is moving in and this will put an end to the warm wet weather we have had recently. With lows expected in the upper teens here tonight, I knew I had one last opportunity to pick the remainder of the fresh edibles. I picked 25 pounds of Aborted Entolomas, Blewits, and non-aborted entolomas.- Chris M, Central Georgia

January 6th, 2008: wildmushroom2005,= oysters - general location = since the weather was so nice today  in Milwaukee WI I went for a walk in the woods and to my suprise I found a few nice clusters of oysters-------thats a first for me in January Growing Conditions = fallen dead log

January 9th, 2008: I found these on the 7th of Jan. in the Hilham Tn. area. I think they are Lion's Mane but not sure, left them as they looked to be too old. Gene Mohr Hilham Tn.

Yes, these are too far gone Lion's Manes. - Chris M

January 21st, 2008: Anthony Tassinello, chanterelle - general location = Mendocino County, California, Additional Comments = The local Chanterlle season is booming and the Black trumpets are up a little early and in profusion as you can see. 4 hours of light hiking and we found "blackout" conditions which yielded 30#. Hedgehogs were abundant and more Pig ear's than I can ever remember seeing.

January 30th, 2008: Hi Chris, I found these mushrooms while foraging by the Stanislaus River in Ripon, CA. I collected abou 7 pounds. Are these wood Blewits (Lepista Nuda)? I've researched quite a bit of literature on Micology and followed field guides. Do these look like Wood Blewits? Thank You. Joi

Yes, you have a nice batch of Blewits, a good edible!- Chris M

February 2nd, 2008: Nancy and I are in south India right now. It's the dry season here, so I haven't seen any real mushrooms, but we did see this cool topiary mushroom at a botanical garden. Mushroom and pea curry down here is awesome, by the way. We've also been to some amazing wildlife reserves here, where we saw elephants, hyenas, langur and rhesus monkeys, 3 kinds of eagles, 4 kinds of deer, buffaloes, peacocks and other cool stuff.Only a couple months till morel season back home :) Hope you guys are well hugh

February 3rd, 2008: can you id please BETSY BARRIX

February 9th, 2008: Hi guys, I did see a couple mushrooms the other day while trekking in the Nilgiri hills in south India. Looks like maybe something in the cortinarius or possibly pholiota family -- though I confess I don't anything about mushrooms in this part of the world. I also saw what seemed to be turkey-tail and one that looked like a marasmius of some sort. Hope you are both doing well. -- hugh in India

February 14th, 2008: my son found these mushrooms on the golf course in Kihei, Maui this Jan. 07.  I don't know for sure what they are so won't quess.  We also found some really pretty yellow ones there, but alas, no morels...puzzledmattie

Very interesting. From the photos, I would guess a Lepiota but it is hard to say for sure! - Chris M

February 21st, 2008: woofer, Black trumpets - general location = Sw Oregon, Growing Conditions = Growing in old growth forets with host trees being madrone, Tan Oak and Blueberry bushes

February 24th, 2008: Chris, I think this is an Agaricus campestris, found in daytona beach fl. Tim Ward

FIRST MOREL REPORT OF 2008!!!!!

February 24th, 2008: Tom Nauman, Morel Mania emailed me with this report: Sunday, February 24, 2008.

Hi Morel Mania! I am a native of Illinois and have grown up mushroom hunting as a tradition with my family....it is always so much fun, and I have so many great memories! I moved to San Diego in September of 2006 and haven't done any mushroom hunting because, I have to admit, I didn't even know they grew here! However, I was walking through a strip mall today and noticed morels growing in the mulch around some palm trees (of all places)!! I couldn't believe it, so I searched on the internet and found that they do grow out here and have been spotted as early as January/February....so I'm not crazy!! I just wanted you to know that they are here!!  Morel season has arrived!! Sincerely, Morgan P.

March 9th, 2008: Randy Martin, Blewit, Puffball, Oyster - general location = Columbia South Carolina, Saluda river area. Growing Conditions = Low land, beside river.

This one Randy is Cortinarius, not a Blewit! Notice the rust spore stains on the gills. -Chris M

March 10th, 2008: MORELS IN GEORGIA!!!! Baldwin County, first of the season in the eastern US- Bob Welker

March 11th, 2008: With the Dogwoods not even budded out yet, I was amazed at how early Morels have started in Georgia, I went to my early spot in Bibb County, and sure enough, they were up, almost 6 inches! -Chris M

Are there beauties, or what? Many new high resolution photos are available in the member areas later today.

March 13th, 2008: Glen, Oregon- Here you go.Let everyone know.Whoooo Hoooooo Morels!

March 13th, 2008: Bob Welker and Chris M scouted several areas in Jones, Jasper, and Monroe Counties in Georgia, several small 1" Grays were found, and we left them to grow another two weeks or so.

March 15th, 2008: hi chris  just found my first  morels  of the year  here in Hood River, Oregon  not very many but its a good start  looking forward to the next few weeks. Jeff

March 16th, 2008: Kim, black trumpet - general location = Rogue River, Oregon, Jackson County
Growing Conditions = They were under oak & madrone trees on the side of the trail. Also found my first black trumpet chanterelle (I think).

March 16th, 2008: We found the first moresl this afternoon! We found about 30 small white morels- most around an inch high but three were a whopping 1.75 inches high. We live near Wimer (Rogue River). ~Kim

March 17th, 2008: Pmack writes: Happy Sunday Chris, Everything is right on schedule for a good year my eagle eye girlfriend found three verpas yesterday they are just popping there heads through the cotton wood leaves. If there are still spots left for the cascade foray people better snatch those spots up because this year is looking weather wise to be a perfect season. Sincerely Chef Pmack.Oregon

March 17th, 2008: Hey Chris my sister and family found these today at around 1200 feet in the mountains around Marcola, OR they are Oregon white truffles. Also they have heard of several people finding verpas around Eugene, OR on the Willamette river. Guess were I will be picking this week that’s right were she found those delicious truffles!

March 17th, 2008: More Georgia Morels, again in Baldwin County.

March 17th, 2008: scott, disciotis venosa - general location = Bainbridge Island, Wa.Growing Conditions = on wood chips

March 20th, 2008: betsy barrix, yellow morel - general location = Clinton ,Arkansas. Growing Conditions = hillside, elm, oak, gum, Additional Comments = whooeeee!!!!! found only a dozen, but they are sure pretty

March 20th, 2008: hey chris.earl and i just got back from checking a couple of our black morel sites. we think we are still early. we covered about 10 miles together and earl found 2 that i consider immature. red buds are barely showing and we only found one spot where mayapples were showing. trilliums were in various stages. bradford pears are beginning to go green but still snowballs of white.here is a pic of earl with today's efforts.. TN

March 20th, 2008: Hi Chris, They are here!  Found this nice 3 inch black today in Jefferson County.TN  I am sure looking forward to a great season!  Hope you have a great season too! Larry

March 20th, 2008: pics from the shrooms I found in Van Buren County, Arkansas on March 20th 2008 BETSY BARRIX

March 21st, 2008: Spring is slowly inching its way toward Ohio, and I've found a fewmushrooms lately -- several very large  flammulina velutipes and anumber of tree ears (as well as some deadly galerinas). Also, the veryfirst ramps are poking up now in the Columbus area.

March 21st, 2008: Breck, grey morel- general location = Madisonville,Tn, Growing Conditions = Found under old cedar trees.Additional Comments = Chris,  found 43 small greys.  All looked to have just started here today!!!

March 22nd, 2008: Just a note that Bill in Blaine and I went out in Whatcom County in Washington State and found about seven verpas.  Bill seemed to think it was still just a bit early, but they should be coming out in the next week.  Too bad I don't eat them.Daddy in Wa

March 22nd, 2008: MORELS! Found it today in Grayson County, TX, along a sandy creek bed. There was a third, tiny one growing next to the others, which I left so it can grow some. This is the earliest we have found them here but we have had a ton of rain this past month. I'm hoping for a good season!