Did you know that Alaska is home to some of the most spectacular mushrooms in the world?
In this blog article, we are going to discuss eight common mushrooms found in Alaska.
Mushrooms can be found growing under leaf litter and on logs or stumps in forests, tundra, and even in urban areas.
These beautiful fungi are an essential part of many Alaskan ecosystems and can be consumed cooked, raw, or even as a tea.
We want to help you learn about these fascinating fungi so that you can get to know them better and maybe even try some of them out at home!
1. Fairy Bonnet Mushrooms
Fairy Bonnet Mushrooms are one of the most common mushrooms found in Alaska. They are small, delicate mushrooms that have a conical cap and a stem.
These mushrooms typically grow in clusters on logs or tree stumps. Fairy Bonnet Mushrooms are edible, but they are not the best tasting mushrooms out there.
They can be used in soups or sauces to add flavor, but they are not typically eaten on their own.
2. Gilled Mushrooms
Gilled mushrooms are some of the most common mushrooms found in Alaska. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including woods, meadows, and even gardens.
There are many different species of gilled mushrooms, but they all share some common characteristics.
Gilled mushrooms have thin, fleshy caps with gills on the underside. These gills are where the spores are produced.
The spores are released into the air and eventually land on new substrate, where they will grow into new mushrooms.
Gilled mushrooms can be white, brown, or black; their color depends on the species.
Some gilled mushrooms are edible, while others are poisonous. It is important to be able to identify the difference between edible and poisonous varieties.
Some poisonous mushrooms can cause serious illness or even death if ingested.
If you are not sure whether a mushroom is safe to eat, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid eating it.
3. Grisettes
Grisettes are a common mushroom found in Alaska. These mushrooms are characterized by their small, brown caps and white stalks.
Grisettes typically grow in moist, shady areas such as woods or gardens.
While grisettes are generally considered to be safe to eat, there have been some reports of gastrointestinal distress after consuming these mushrooms.
Therefore, it is always best to cook grisettes before eating them.
Additionally, it is important to be sure that grisettes are properly identified before consuming them, as they can be easily confused with poisonous mushrooms.
If you do choose to eat grisettes, they can be used in a variety of dishes. They can be sauteed, grilled, or even made into soup.
Grisettes have a slightly nutty flavor that pairs well with other earthy ingredients such as potatoes, carrots, and onions.
4. Yellow Patches
Some of the most common mushrooms in Alaska are those that have yellow patches. These mushrooms tend to be fairly large, and can often be found growing in clusters.
While they are not the most colorful of mushrooms, they are still quite striking.
These mushrooms typically have a thick stalk, with a large cap that is often slightly curved.
The caps can range in color from pale yellow to golden yellow, and may have darker spots or streaks.
The flesh of these mushrooms is also typically yellow, although it may be paler near the edges.
Yellow patches mushrooms are considered to be fairly good eating, although they can sometimes be a bit tough.
They can be sauteed, grilled, or even roasted, and make a great addition to any number of dishes.
5. Fly Agaric
The fly agaric is a common mushroom in Alaska that can be found growing in wooded areas.
This mushroom is easily recognizable due to its red cap with white spots.
The fly agaric is poisonous to humans and should not be eaten.
6. Catathelasma Ventricosum
The Catathelasma ventricosum is a common mushroom in Alaska. It is characterized by its large, fleshy cap and white spores.
This mushroom grows in damp, shady areas and is often found in woods or near streams.
The Catathelasma ventricosum is edible, but not particularly tasty.
7. Lackluster Laccaria
Laccaria is a common mushroom found in Alaska. This type of mushroom typically has a red or brown cap, and a white or pale stem.
Laccaria mushrooms are often found in damp, shady areas near trees or logs.
While these mushrooms are not poisonous, they are not considered to be edible due to their tough texture and lack of flavor.
8. Angel Wings
Angel wings are a common mushroom in Alaska that can be found growing on trees.
This type of mushroom is white or cream-colored with brownish scales on the top.
The underside of the angel wing mushroom is smooth and white.
These mushrooms are edible but not very flavorful. Angel wings can be sautéed, grilled, or roasted.
Before You Go
If your looking to buy shrubs or trees online, I highly recommend Nature Hills. They always have sales and discounts on nursery stock, well worth your time to check them out.
You can find them here, NatureHills.com.
Also, I have other articles about Alaska that might interest you, you can check them out here.
Evergreen Trees Found In Alaska
4 Types of Oak Trees Found in Alaska
Maple Trees in Alaska: A Guide to Hardy Varieties
