10 Common Mushrooms In Pennsylvania

The most common mushrooms found in Pennsylvania are the King Bolete, Chicken-of-the-Woods, Shaggy Mane, Giant Puffball, Black Trumpet, Oyster Mushroom, Morel, Toxic Amanitas, Deadly Galerina, and False Morel. 

In this article, we will go over the different types of mushrooms that you can find in Pennsylvania and what makes them tasty. We will also discuss some of the potential side-effects associated with eating them, so be sure to read carefully before preparing any!

[Related Article: 10 Common Mushrooms In Michigan]

1. King Bolete

The King Bolete is a very common mushroom in Pennsylvania. These mushrooms are often found in wooded areas, and they typically have a brown or red cap.

The King Bolete mushroom is an edible mushroom, and it has a savory taste. These mushrooms can be cooked in a variety of ways, and they are often used in soups and stews.

2. Chicken-of-the-Woods

Chicken-of-the-Woods is a common mushroom found in Pennsylvania. This mushroom gets its name from its chicken-like appearance and flavor.

While it may look like a chicken, this mushroom is actually a member of the polypore family. Chicken-of-the-Woods is a white, fleshy mushroom that can grow up to two feet in diameter. This mushroom is commonly found on dead or dying trees, stumps, and logs.

This mushroom is edible and has a variety of uses. Chicken-of-the-Woods can be cooked and eaten like chicken, used as a flavoring agent, or made into a tea.

This mushroom is also known for its medicinal properties and has been used to treat cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

If you are interested in trying Chicken-of-the-Woods, be sure to consult with an expert before consuming it. This mushroom can look similar to other mushrooms that are not edible.

It is important to correctly identify the Mushroom before consuming it.

3. Shaggy Mane

If you’re looking for a mushroom that’s common in Pennsylvania, you can’t go wrong with the shaggy mane. This type of mushroom is often found growing in lawns and gardens, and it’s a favorite among many mushroom hunters.

The shaggy mane is easy to identify thanks to its distinctive appearance. The mushroom has a white cap that is covered in brownish scales, and the stem is also white.

The gills of the mushroom are free, meaning they’re not attached to the stem. When the mushroom is young, the cap is convex shaped but it flattens out as the mushroom matures.

The shaggy mane is an edible mushroom, but it’s not considered to be one of the best tasting mushrooms out there. That said, it’s still a popular choice for many people who enjoy collecting and eating wild mushrooms.

If you do decide to eat a shaggy mane, make sure you cook it first as raw mushrooms can cause stomach upset.

4. Giant Puffball

Giant Puffball mushrooms are some of the most common mushrooms found in Pennsylvania. These large, white mushrooms can grow to be up to 20 inches in diameter and can weigh up to 10 pounds!

Giant Puffballs are often found in fields and woods, and they are a choice edible mushroom for many people.

If you’re lucky enough to find a Giant Puffball mushroom, there are a few things you should know before you go ahead and cook it up. First of all, make sure that the mushroom is indeed a Giant Puffball and not another type of mushroom that resembles it.

The best way to do this is to cut the mushroom in half – if it is a Giant Puffball, the inside will be pure white with no gills or other markings.

If you’re still not sure, consult with an expert before consuming any part of the mushroom.

Once you’ve confirmed that your mushroom is indeed a Giant Puffball, you can go ahead and cook it however you like! Many people simply slice them up and fry them in butter, but there are endless possibilities when it comes to recipes for these tasty fungi.

So get creative and enjoy your Pennsylvania Giant Puffball!

5. Black Trumpet

The Black Trumpet is a common mushroom found in Pennsylvania. This mushroom gets its name from its trumpet-like shape and black color.

The Black Trumpet is usually found in wooded areas and often grows in clusters. This mushroom is edible, but it is not very popular due to its bland taste.

6. Oyster Mushroom

The Oyster Mushroom is a very common type of mushroom found in Pennsylvania. These mushrooms are typically white or cream colored and have a distinct oyster shape.

They can be found growing on trees, stumps, or logs and are often considered a delicacy by many mushroom lovers.

While they are safe to eat, it is important to cook them thoroughly before consuming as they can contain harmful toxins if not cooked properly.

7. Morel

Morel mushrooms are a common sight in Pennsylvania during the springtime. These mushrooms typically have a spongy, honeycomb-like appearance and can range in color from pale yellow to dark brown.

Morels are a favorite among mushroom hunters, as they are relatively easy to identify and make for a delicious meal when cooked properly.

While morels are safe to eat when cooked, it is important to be careful when handling them. Morels often grow in areas that have been recently burned by forest fires, and their spongy texture can make them difficult to clean.

As such, it is important to thoroughly wash morels before cooking them. Morels can also be preserved by drying or freezing them, which makes them easier to store for long periods of time.

8. Toxic Amanitas

The Amanita genus of mushrooms is one of the most toxic groups of fungi in the world. Many of these mushrooms contain amatoxins, which can cause liver failure and death.

The death cap (Amanita phalloides) is the most notorious member of this group, but there are several other species of Amanitas that are also extremely poisonous.

If you’re lucky enough to spot an Amanita mushroom in the wild, it’s best to just leave it alone. These mushrooms can easily be confused with edible species, so it’s not worth the risk to try to identify them yourself.

If you think you may have consumed a poisonous Amanita mushroom, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of amatoxin poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and jaundice.

Some Amanita species are not poisonous, but they can still cause stomach upset if eaten raw or cooked improperly. The fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) is perhaps the most well-known member of this group – it has a bright red cap with white spots and is often depicted in children’s books and movies.

Although it’s not deadly, eating a raw fly agaric mushroom will probably make you pretty sick.

9. Deadly Galerina

The Deadly Galerina is a common mushroom found in Pennsylvania. This mushroom is very poisonous and can cause serious illness or death if ingested. The Deadly Galerina looks similar to other mushrooms, so it is important to be able to identify it correctly.

The Deadly Galerina has a brownish-red cap with white gills. The stem of this mushroom is also white. This mushroom typically grows in clusters on dead logs or trees. If you come across a group of these mushrooms, it is best to avoid them altogether.

If you think you have consumed a Deadly Galerina mushroom, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, liver failure and death may occur.

10. False Morel

The False Morel is a common mushroom found in Pennsylvania. This mushroom is characterized by its wrinkled, brain-like appearance. The False Morel is often mistaken for the true morel, which is a edible mushroom.

However, the False Morel is not edible and can cause severe gastrointestinal distress if consumed.

The best way to identify a False Morel is by its appearance. As mentioned before, this mushroom has a wrinkled, brain-like appearance. The surface of the False Morel is also covered in small pits and ridges. The stem of the False Morel is typically hollow and may be either white or yellow in color.

If you are unsure whether or not a mushroom is a False Morel, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid consuming it. If you do decide to eat a False Morel, cook it thoroughly to reduce the risk of illness.

Conclusion

In conclusion,  If you are looking to go mushroom hunting, be sure to research which mushrooms are safe to eat and which are not.