MAMI Certification

For each mushroom, identify: 1) LATIN BINOMIAL 2) COMMON NAME(S) 3) ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE 4) HABITAT 5) SPORE COLOR 6) SPORE-BEARING SURFACE (gills, pores etc.) 7) PHYSICAL FEATURES 8) SEASON (when is it available for harvest) 9) POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES, if any

Armillaria gallica (=A. bulbosa, A. luteans) - Honey Mushroom/Stumper

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Parasitic on living hardwoods and

conifers and saprotrophic on dead ones

 HABITAT: Mixed Forests

 SPORE COLOR: White

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Cespitose growth; brownish-yellow caps

with small scales becoming sticky when wet; thick black

rhizomorphs; “cob-web” like veil; ephemeral, non-distinct annulus

 SEASON: Primarily in fall, or in late summer after a heavy rain

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Galerina marginata has a rusty

brown spore print. Omphalotus illudens (Jack-O-Lantern

mushroom) has a yellow spore print, cap isn’t sticky

Armillaria mellea - Honey Mushroom, Honey Cap, Stumper

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Parasitic on living hardwoods and

conifers and saprotrophic on dead ones

 HABITAT: Mixed Forests

 SPORE COLOR: White

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Cespitose growth; honey-yellow caps

with small scales that become sticky when wet; thick black

rhizomorphs; thick annulus

 SEASON: Primarily in fall, or in late summer after a heavy rain

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Galerina marginata has a rusty

brown spore print. Omphalotus illudens (Jack-O-Lantern

mushroom) has a yellow spore print, cap isn’t sticky

Armillaria tabescens (=Desarmillaria tabescens) - Ringless Honey Mushroom

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Parasitic on living hardwoods and

conifers and saprotrophic on dead ones

 HABITAT: Mixed Forests

 SPORE COLOR: White

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Cespitose growth; tan to brownish caps

with small scales that become sticky when wet; thick black

rhizomorphs; distinguished from other Armillaria species by

lack of an annulus

 SEASON: Primarily in fall, or in late summer after a heavy rain

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Galerina; rusty brown spore print

Cantharellus cibarius - Yellow Chanterelle, Apricot Chanterelle, Golden Chanterelle

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Mycorrhizal with hardwoods

especially oak, beech and with conifers

 HABITAT: Deciduous and coniferous forests

 SPORE COLOR: Whitish to light Yellow

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pseudo-gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Blunt edged, decurrent pseudo-gills;

yellow pigmentation

 SEASON: June – September

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Omphalotus illudens - grows on

dying trees/buried wood instead of directly out of the

ground; has true gills with sharp edges; grows in clusters

Cantharellus lateritius - Smooth Chanterelle

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Mycorrhizal with hardwoods

especially oak, beech and with conifers

 HABITAT: Deciduous and coniferous forests

 SPORE COLOR: Pale pinkish to yellow

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pseudo-gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Blunt edged, decurrent pseudo-gills;

pale yellow, yellow, creamy, or whitish pigmentation

 SEASON: June – September

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Omphalotus illudens - grows on

dying trees or buried wood rather than directly out of the

ground; has true gills with sharp edges; grow in clusters

rather than singly

Cantharellus minor - Yellow Chanterelle, Small Chanterelle

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Mycorrhizal with hardwoods

especially oak, beech and with conifers

 HABITAT: Deciduous and coniferous forests

 SPORE COLOR: Pale yellow

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pseudo-gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Blunt edged, decurrent pseudo-gills; egg-

yolk yellow, sometimes creamy pigmentation

 SEASON: June – September

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Omphalotus illudens - grows on

dying trees or buried wood rather than directly out of the

ground; has true gills with sharp edges; grow in clusters

rather than singly

Cantharellus cinnabarinus - Red Chanterelle, Cinnabar-red Chanterelle

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Mycorrhizal with hardwoods

especially oak, beech and with conifers

 HABITAT: Deciduous and coniferous forests

 SPORE COLOR: Buff to Pinkish

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pseudo-gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Blunt edged, decurrent pseudo-gills with

cross-venation; red pigmentation

 SEASON: June - September

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Cerioporus squamosus (=Polyporus squamosus) - Dryad’s Saddle, Pheasant’s Back

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic or parasitic on

hardwood, especially silver maple and box elder

 HABITAT: Deciduous trees (living and dead)

 SPORE COLOR: White

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: White or yellow pores

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Fan or funnel shaped cap; black stem;

brown radial scales; large pores

 SEASON: Early spring and again in the fall

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Coprinus comatus - Shaggy Mane, Inky Cap, Lawyer’s Wig

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic on grass, woodchips,

and other debris

 HABITAT: Lawns and grasslands, especially those high in

nitrogen from goose dung

 SPORE COLOR: Black

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Gills (deliquesce as they mature)

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Rounded, slender white caps; hollow,

brittle stalks; gills that rapidly turn black and deliquesce

 SEASON: Spring and fall, especially after cold rains

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Craterellus fallax - Black Trumpet, Horn of Plenty, Trumpet of the Dead

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Mycorrhizal with oak, beech trees

and occasionally other hardwoods

 HABITAT: Deciduous forests

 SPORE COLOR: Salmon, Ocher buff to Ocher orange

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Smooth hymenium on underside

of cap

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Tubular to funnel shape; dark colored

interior and base; rolled or wavy margin

 SEASON: Summer through early fall

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Craterellus foetidus - Black Trumpet, Fragrant Black Trumpet

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Mycorrhizal with oak, beech trees

and occasionally other hardwoods

 HABITAT: Deciduous forests

 SPORE COLOR: White

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pseudo-gills; pale and somewhat

smooth

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Tubular to funnel shape; pale inner and

outer surfaces

 SEASON: Summer through early fall

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Craterellus ignicolor - Yellow-foot Chanterelle

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Mycorrhizal with oak, beech trees

and occasionally other hardwoods

 HABITAT: Deciduous forests

 SPORE COLOR: Yellow to yellow with pink tones

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pseudo-gills; thick, decurrent. Pale,

almost gray with lilac to pink hues

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Vase shaped, light yellow-orange cap is

perforated by the bright yellow stipe

 SEASON: Summer through early fall

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Craterellus lutescens (=Cantharellus xanthopus, luteocomus, aurora) - Yellow-foot Chanterelle

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Mycorrhizal with oak, beech trees

and occasionally other hardwoods

 HABITAT: Deciduous forests

 SPORE COLOR: Cream to salmon color

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pseudo-gills; slight, smooth. Pale,

almost gray with lilac to pink hues

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Vase shaped, brownish yellow cap is

perforated by the bright yellow stipe; rolled or wavy margin

 SEASON: Summer through early fall

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Craterellus tubaeformis (=Cantharellus / Craterellus infundibuliformis) - Yellow-foor Chanterelle, Winter Chanterelle

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Mycorrhizal with oak, beech trees

and occasionally other hardwoods

 HABITAT: Deciduous forests

 SPORE COLOR: White to creamy white color

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pseudo-gills; prominent, gray with

pink to lilac hues; cross-venation

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Small but wide brownish to olive brown

with yellow undertones; bright yellow stipe perforates the cap

 SEASON: Summer through early fall

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Entoloma abortivum - Shrimp of the Woods, Aborted Entoloma

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Parasitic on Armillaria and

saprotrophic on rotting wood

 HABITAT: In hardwood forests near decaying wood and leaf

litter, often near Armillaria

 SPORE COLOR: N/A

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: N/A – sterile tissue

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Whitish blob with depression in the

center; discolors brown; pinkish areas inside

 SEASON: Late summer and fall

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Ganoderma applanatum - Artists’ Conk

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic on most hardwoods

and conifers

 HABITAT: Most forest types

 SPORE COLOR: Rusty Brown

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: White pore surface that bruises

brown

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Tough, red to brown conks; white outer

growth margin; white pore surface that bruises brown

 SEASON: All year

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Ganoderma curtisii - Reishi, Lingzhi

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic, primarily on oak and

maple

 HABITAT: Deciduous forests

 SPORE COLOR: Rusty Brown

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: White pores

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Tough, red to brown conks; white outer

growth margin

 SEASON: All year

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Ganoderma resinaceum - no common

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic, primarily on oak and

Maple but found on deciduous and coniferous trees

 HABITAT: Deciduous, mixed forests

 SPORE COLOR: Brown color

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: White pore surface

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Brownish-red laccate with a creamy

outer growth margin; produces a resinous liquid when cut

 SEASON: All year

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Ganoderma tsugae - Lacquered Polypore, Varnished Polypore, Reishi, Lingzhi

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic on Eastern Hemlock and

other conifers

 HABITAT: Hemlock forests

 SPORE COLOR: Rusty Brown

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pores

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Tough, red to brown conks; white outer

growth margin; white pore surface that bruises brown

 SEASON: All year

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Grifola frondosa - Hen of the Woods, Maitake

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Parasitic on living oaks and

saprotrophic on recently dead oaks

 HABITAT: Growing at the base of oak trees

 SPORE COLOR: White

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: White pores

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Large mounded shape made of small,

brown, fan-shaped caps; grayish, decurrent pore surface

 SEASON: Late August through October

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Hericium americanum - Bear’s Head Tooth Fungus

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic on dead hardwood trees

 HABITAT: Deciduous forests

 SPORE COLOR: White

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Teeth

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: White, branched mass; medium to long

length white or pinkish spines

 SEASON: August - November

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Hericium coralloides - Comb Tooth

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic on dead hardwood trees

 HABITAT: Deciduous forests

 SPORE COLOR: White

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Teeth

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: White branched mass; short white spines

 SEASON: August - November

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Hericium erinaceus - Lion’s Mane

 ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Mostly saprotrophic on dead

hardwood trees, sometimes parasitic on live hardwoods

 HABITAT: Deciduous forests

 SPORE COLOR: White

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Teeth

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: White, unbranched mass; long white

spines

 SEASON: August - November

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Hydnum repandum - Hedgehog mushroom

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Mycorrhizal with both hardwoods

and conifers

 HABITAT: Mixed forests

 SPORE COLOR: White

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Teeth

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Tan or pale orange cap; teeth

 SEASON: July – October

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Hydnum umbilicatum - Sweet tooth

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Mycorrhizal with both hardwoods

and conifers

 HABITAT: Swampy hardwood and conifer forests

 SPORE COLOR: White

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Teeth

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Tan or pale orange cap; teeth; depressed

cap

 SEASON: July – October

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Hypomyces lactifluorum - Lobster Mushroom

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Parasitic on Lactarius piperatus or

Russula brevipes

 HABITAT: Terrestrial in deciduous forests of oaks and poplars

 SPORE COLOR: N/A

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: N/A (host destroyed by myco-

parasite whose fertile surface is bright orange and composed

of pycnidia)

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Deformed fruiting body with a hard,

orange outer fertile surface and white sterile interior

 SEASON: Mid-summer to early fall

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Inonotus obliquus - Chaga, Clinker

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Parasitic on living birch trees

 HABITAT: Birch forests

 SPORE COLOR: The mushroom is mostly sterile tissue. Whitish

spores are produced from resupinate fruiting on host tissue.

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: N/A – conk is made of sterile tissue

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Cracked, black outer surface; orange,

woody interior

 SEASON: All year long

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Laetiporus cincinnatus - Chicken of the Woods

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Parasitic on living hardwoods or

saprotrophic on dead hardwoods

 HABITAT: At the base of hardwoods

 SPORE COLOR: White

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pores

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Pale yellow and orange caps arranged

in a rosette formation; white pore surface

 SEASON: May – November

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Morchella americana - White Morel, Yellow Morel, Grey Morel

ECOLOGY, SUBSTRATE: Likely a saprotroph and root endophyte

 HABITAT: Under hardwoods, especially aspen and elm

 SPORE COLOR: Beige (light colored)

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pits in the cap

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Light-colored, pitted cap; hollow stem

and cap; cap attaches to the stem at or near its base

 SEASON: Spring

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Verpa bohemica – cottony material

inside stem; wrinkled cap; cap attaches to stem at the top,

Gyromitra esculenta – wrinkled cap and chambered stalk

Morchella angusticeps - Black Morel

ECOLOGY, SUBSTRATE: Saprotroph and root endophyte

 HABITAT: Under hardwoods, especially aspen and elm

 SPORE COLOR: Beige (light colored)

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pits in the cap

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Brownish, irregular pits with ridges

darken with age. Hollow stem and cap; cap attaches to stem at

or near its base

 SEASON: Spring

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Verpa bohemica – cottony material

inside stem; wrinkled cap; cap attaches to stem at the top,

Gyromitra esculenta – wrinkled cap and chambered stalk

Morchella exuberans (=Morchella capitata) - Black Morel, Burn-site Morel

ECOLOGY, SUBSTRATE: Saprotroph

 HABITAT: Conifer forests the first year after a fire

 SPORE COLOR: Beige (light colored)

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pits in the cap

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Dark brown to black ridges, brown to tan

vertically elongated pitted, hollow cap; chambered stem; cap

attaches to the stem at or near its base

 SEASON: Spring

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Verpa bohemica – cottony material

inside stem; wrinkled cap; cap attaches to stem at the top,

Gyromitra esculenta – wrinkled cap and chambered stalk

Morchella diminutiva - Yellow Morel

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Likely a saprotroph and root endophyte

 HABITAT: Under hardwoods especially ash, tulip trees, hickory

 SPORE COLOR: Beige (light colored)

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pits in the cap

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Small size; light-colored pits and ridges;

hollow cap attaches to the hollow stem at or near its base

 SEASON: Spring

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Verpa bohemica – cottony material

inside stem; wrinkled cap; cap attaches to stem at the top,

Gyromitra esculenta – wrinkled cap and chambered stalk

Morchella importuna - Black Morel

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotroph

 HABITAT: Landscaping sites, gardens, mulch beds

 SPORE COLOR: Beige (light colored)

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pits in the cap

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Dark colored cap with deep vertical

channels and dark lateral cross ridges; long pointed cap, hollow

stem and cap; cap attaches to the stem at or near its base

 SEASON: March-May, sometimes fall in landscaped sites

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Verpa bohemica – cottony material

inside stem; wrinkled cap; cap attaches to stem at the top,

Gyromitra esculenta – wrinkled cap and chambered stalk

Morchella punctipes - Half-free Morel

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotroph and root endophyte

 HABITAT: Hardwood forests or old apple orchards

 SPORE COLOR: Beige (light colored)

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pits in the cap

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Light ridges darken as it ages; light

pitted, hollow cap; cap attaches to the hollow stem halfway

down its base (“skirt-like”)

 SEASON: March-May

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Verpa bohemica – cottony material

inside stem; wrinkled cap; cap attaches to stem at the top.

Gyromitra esculenta – wrinkled cap and chambered stalk

Pleurotus citrinopileatus - Golden Oyster Mushroom

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic on hardwood logs and

occasionally on conifers, also parasitic on living trees

 HABITAT: Deciduous or mixed forest, typically elm

 SPORE COLOR: Lilac, Pinkish or Buff-pink

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Decurrent gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Yellow or golden, fan shaped or circular

caps; decurrent gills; short, lateral stipe

 SEASON: All year under favorable conditions (typically above

60º F)

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Pleurotus ostreatus - Oyster Mushroom, Pearl Oyster, Winter Oyster

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic on hardwood logs and

occasionally on conifers, also parasitic on living trees

 HABITAT: Deciduous or mixed forest

 SPORE COLOR: Whitish grey or lilac

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Decurrent gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Light-colored, lung shaped or semi-

circular caps; decurrent gills; short, lateral stipe

 SEASON: Spring through early Winter

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Pleurocybella porrigens (potentially)

P. porrigens is typically sessile with relatively thin flesh and

most always grows on conifers

Pleurotus populinus - Aspen oyster

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic on aspens and

cottonwoods

 HABITAT: Deciduous forests, typically Poplar tree species

 SPORE COLOR: Buff

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Decurrent gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Light-colored, fan shaped caps;

decurrent gills; short, lateral stipe

 SEASON: Late spring through summer

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Pleurotus pulmonarius - Phoenix Oyster, Indian Oyster, Summer Oyster

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic on hardwood logs and

occasionally on conifers, also parasitic on living trees

 HABITAT: Deciduous or mixed forest

 SPORE COLOR: Whitish grey or lilac

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Decurrent gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Light-colored, fan shaped caps;

decurrent gills; short, lateral stipe

 SEASON: Typically mid-late Summer into Fall, prefers warmer

weather than P. ostreatus

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Pleurocybella porrigens (potentially)

P. porrigens is typically sessile with relatively thin flesh and

most always grows on conifers

Polyporus umbellatus - Umbrella Polypore

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic or parasitic on the roots

of hardwoods, especially oak

 HABITAT: Growing at the base of Oak trees or other hardwoods

 SPORE COLOR: White

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pores

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Large, mounded fruiting body made of

many gray/brown caps each centrally attached to the

branched stem

 SEASON: May-June and September-October

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Stropharia rugosoannulata - Wine Cap Stropharia, Garden Giant, Composter

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic on woodchips and

other debris

 HABITAT: Urban areas such as woodchips and gardens

 SPORE COLOR: Purple-brown to black

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Burgundy cap; purple gills; thick, star-

like (stellate) annulus

 SEASON: Spring to Fall

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None

Trametes versicolor (=Coriolus versicolor, Polyporus versicolor) - Turkey Tail

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic on dead hardwoods

and occasionally dead conifers

 HABITAT: Deciduous forests

 SPORE COLOR: White

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Pores

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Very thin, fan shaped caps; alternating

bands of color on caps; tiny, but visible pores

 SEASON: Late spring until fall

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: None; avoid old/moldy fruit bodies

Tuber canaliculatum - Michigan Truffle

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Ectomycorrhizal with spruce and

pine trees

 HABITAT: Underground at the base of conifers

 SPORE COLOR: N/A

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Dark, waxy gleba

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Lobed fruiting body; red, warty peridium;

marbled gleba

 SEASON: August – November

 POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Scleroderma species

Gyromitra esculenta - Beefsteak, False-morel, Lorchel

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic and possibly also

mycorrhizal with conifers

 HABITAT: Primarily conifer forests, mixed forests

 SPORE COLOR: Light or pale; white, cream-colored, beige

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Wrinkled, smooth

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Reddish-brown, folded, brain-like cap;

tan, bald, “longer” chambered stipe

 SEASON: Late April to late June

 TOXIC: Contains Gyromitrin which is converted to

Monomethylhydrazine when ingested. Also contains other

unknown carcinogens

Gyromitra brunnea - Gabled False-morel, Lorchel

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic

 HABITAT: Mixed hardwood forests

 SPORE COLOR: Light or pale; white, cream-colored, beige

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Wrinkled, smooth

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Reddish-brown, lobed-like cap appears

“pinched” with seams; tan, bald, chambered stipe

 SEASON: Late April to late June

 TOXIC: May contain Gyromitrin which is converted to

Monomethylhydrazine when ingested. May also

contain other unknown carcinogens.

Gyromitra korfii - Bull-nose False-morel, Lorchel

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic

 HABITAT: Mixed hardwood forests

 SPORE COLOR: Light or pale; white, cream-colored, beige

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Wrinkled, smooth

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Wavy cap “folds over” the thick,

chambered stipe; appears blocky and/or stemless

 SEASON: Late April to late June

 TOXIC: May contain Gyromitrin which is converted to

Monomethylhydrazine when ingested. May also

contain other unknown carcinogens.

Verpa bohemica - Wrinkled Thimble Cap, False-morel

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Probably mycorrhizal, found under

hardwoods and conifers

 HABITAT: Mixed forests

 SPORE COLOR: Cream colored

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Folded, light brown color

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Wrinkled/folded (not pitted) cap

attaches at very top of the stem; stem filled with cottony

tissue

 SEASON: Early spring, usually before morels

 TOXIC: May cause gastrointestinal upset

Verpa conica - Bell-morel, False-morel

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Probably mycorrhizal, found under

hardwoods and conifers

 HABITAT: Mixed forests

 SPORE COLOR: Cream colored

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Smooth, maybe slightly wrinkled,

light brown color

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Cap attaches at the top of the stem;

stem filled with cottony tissue, smooth rather than pitted cap

 SEASON: Early spring, usually before morels

 TOXIC: May cause gastrointestinal upset

Chlorophyllum molybdites - Green-spored Lepiota

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic on grass and debris

 HABITAT: Lawns and meadows

 SPORE COLOR: Green

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: White convex cap with buff scales; gills

are green at maturity

 SEASON: Summer through fall

 TOXIC: Unknown toxin(s) associated with gastrointestinal

distress; Molybdophyllysin is a potential component

 One of the most common causes of mushroom poisoning in Michigan

Omphalotus illudens - Jack O’Latern Mushroom

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic on dead wood or buried

roots

 HABITAT: Mixed forests

 SPORE COLOR: White to pale yellow

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Cespitose growth (fruit in clusters); true

gills; sharp-edged gills; bright yellow color; decurrent gills

 SEASON: Fall

 TOXIC: Unknown toxin causes gastrointestinal distress

Galerina marginata - Deadly Galerina

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic on decaying wood

 HABITAT: Forests

 SPORE COLOR: Rusty brown

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Small brown mushroom; thin, brittle

stalk; thick, closely spaced gills; thin annulus that disappears

with age

 SEASON: Spring and fall

 TOXIC: Contains Amatoxins which can be fatal

Amanita bisporigera - Destroying Angel

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Mycorrhizal with oaks and possibly

other hardwoods

 HABITAT: Deciduous forest or wooded parkland

 SPORE COLOR: White or light colored

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Both annulus (partial veil) and volva

(sac at base); white, free gills; bright white coloring; no warts

on cap

 SEASON: Late June to November

 TOXIC: Contains Amatoxins which can be fatal

Cortinarius spp - Webcaps

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Mycorrhizal, terrestrial; each species

is host specific

 HABITAT: Deciduous and conifer mixed forests

 SPORE COLOR: Rusty brown

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Gills; Various colors depending on

species’ age; typically appear rusty brown with maturity

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Caps variously colored; may be dry or

slimy; web-like cortina (veil) or slimy partial or universal veil

 SEASON: Spring through Fall

 TOXIC: Varies across 1000+ species; contains Orellanine which

can be fatal; delayed onset (minimum 3 days to up to 3 weeks)

Amanita muscaria - Fly Agaric, Fly Amanita

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Mycorrhizal with conifers and

hardwoods

 HABITAT: Deciduous and conifer mixed forests

 SPORE COLOR: White

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Yellow/yellow-orange cap fades with

age; whitish warts/patches from a universal veil; annulus;

concentric white, sometimes yellowish, rings on the base of

the stipe

 SEASON: Summer and Fall

 TOXIC: Contains Muscimol and Ibotenic Acid

Coprinopsis atramentarius (=Coprinus atramentarius) - Tippler’s Bane, Common Inkcap

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic on woody debris

 HABITAT: Lawns, grasslands, urban and woody areas

 SPORE COLOR: Black

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Gills (deliquesce as they mature)

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Rounded, smooth gray/light

brown/whitish caps; hollow, brittle stalks; gills rapidly

deliquesce

 SEASON: Spring, Summer, Fall

 TOXIC: Contains Coprine; inhibits alcohol processing leading to

buildup of acetaldehyde similar to Disulfiram (Antabuse)

Gymnopilus junonius (=Gymnopilus spectabilis) - Big Laughing Jim, Spectacular Rustgill

ECOLOGY & SUBSTRATE: Saprotrophic on woody debris

 HABITAT: Deciduous and conifer mixed forests

 SPORE COLOR: Bright; Rusty orange or brownish orange

 SPORE-BEARING SURFACE: Gills

 PHYSICAL FEATURES: Large; Bright yellow-orange when

young, ages to brownish-orange; Cap up to 8 inches, orangish

stipe up to 8 inches tall; partial veil leaves thin ring; may

bruise blue on pileus and/or stipe

 SEASON: Summer through Fall

 TOXIC: Many Gymnopilus species contain Psilocybin and Psilocin