Alabama is home to a variety of wild mushrooms, some of which are edible and some of which are poisonous.
It’s important to know which mushrooms are safe to eat and which ones are not.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common wild mushrooms in Alabama, both edible and poisonous.
Key Takeaways:
- Alabama is home to a variety of wild mushrooms, some of which are edible and some of which are poisonous.
- Common edible mushrooms in Alabama include chanterelles, oyster mushrooms, deer mushrooms, lion’s mane mushrooms, cauliflower mushrooms, parasol mushrooms, and more.
- Common poisonous mushrooms in Alabama include the death cap, destroying angel, fly agaric, fool’s mushroom, haymaker mushroom, jack-o-lantern mushroom, little brown mushrooms, panther cap, red-capped scaber stalk, and yellow stainer.
- It’s important to properly identify any wild mushrooms before consuming them. If you’re not 100% sure of your identification, don’t eat it. Use sources outside of this article for confirmation.
- Almost all wild-foraged mushrooms require cooking to break down the chitin that make up the fungi cell wall.
Common Edible Mushrooms in Alabama
Here are some of the most common edible mushrooms in Alabama:
Cauliflower Mushroom (Sparassis crispa)
The cauliflower mushroom is a large, white mushroom that looks like a cauliflower.
It has a meaty texture and a nutty flavor.
It grows on the ground and on the roots of trees.
Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius)
The chanterelle is a bright yellow mushroom with a funnel-shaped cap.
It has a fruity, apricot-like flavor and a meaty texture.
It grows on the ground in wooded areas.
Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus)
The chicken of the woods is a bright orange mushroom that grows in large clusters on the trunks of trees.
It has a meaty texture and a mild, nutty flavor.
Hedgehog Mushroom (Hydnum repandum)
The hedgehog mushroom is a small, white mushroom with spines on the underside of its cap.
It has a sweet, nutty flavor and a crunchy texture.
It grows on the ground in wooded areas.
Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa)
The hen of the woods is a large, brown mushroom that grows in clusters on the trunks of trees.
It has a meaty texture and a mild, nutty flavor.
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
The lion’s mane is a white, shaggy mushroom that grows on the trunks of trees.
It has a meaty texture and a mild, sweet flavor.
Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
The maitake is a large, brown mushroom that grows in clusters on the trunks of trees.
It has a meaty texture and a rich, earthy flavor.
Morel (Morchella spp.)
The morel is a cone-shaped mushroom with a honeycomb-like cap.
It has a meaty texture and a nutty, earthy flavor.
It grows on the ground in wooded areas.
Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)
The oyster mushroom is a white or gray mushroom with a fan-shaped cap.
It has a delicate, nutty flavor and a velvety texture.
It grows on the trunks of trees.
Puffball Mushroom (Calvatia gigantea)
The puffball mushroom is a large, white mushroom that looks like a ball.
It has a spongy texture and a mild, nutty flavor.
It grows on the ground in open areas.
Common Poisonous Mushrooms in Alabama
Here are some of the most common poisonous mushrooms in Alabama:
Death Cap (Amanita phalloides)
The death cap is a white mushroom with a greenish-gray cap.
It has a sweet taste and a meaty texture.
It grows on the ground in wooded areas.
Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera)
The destroying angel is a white mushroom with a bell-shaped cap.
It has a sweet taste and a meaty texture.
It grows on the ground in wooded areas.
Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)
The fly agaric is a red mushroom with white spots on its cap.
It has a bitter taste and a meaty texture.
It grows on the ground in wooded areas.
[Related Article: 3 Types Of Red Mushrooms In Alabama]
Fool’s Mushroom (Amanita verna)
The fool’s mushroom is a white mushroom with a bell-shaped cap.
It has a sweet taste and a meaty texture.
It grows on the ground in wooded areas.
Haymaker Mushroom (Panaeolina foenisecii)
The haymaker mushroom is a small, brown mushroom that grows on the ground in open areas.
It has a bitter taste and a meaty texture.
Jack-O-Lantern Mushroom (Omphalotus illudens)
The jack-o-lantern mushroom is a bright orange mushroom that grows in clusters on the trunks of trees.
It has a bitter taste and a meaty texture.
Little Brown Mushroom (LBMs)
Little brown mushrooms are a group of small, brown mushrooms that are difficult to identify.
Some of them are poisonous, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.
Panther Cap (Amanita pantherina)
The panther cap is a brown mushroom with a bell-shaped cap.
It has a sweet taste and a meaty texture.
It grows on the ground in wooded areas.
Red-Capped Scaber Stalk (Leccinum aurantiacum)
The red-capped scaber stalk is a brown mushroom with a red cap.
It has a bitter taste and a meaty texture.
It grows on the ground in wooded areas.
Yellow Stainer (Agaricus xanthodermus)
The yellow stainer is a white mushroom with a yellowish cap.
It has a bitter taste and a meaty texture.
It grows on the ground in open areas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Alabama is home to a variety of wild mushrooms, some of which are edible and some of which are poisonous.
It’s important to know which mushrooms are safe to eat and which ones are not.
Always be sure to properly identify any wild mushrooms before consuming them.
If you’re not 100% sure of your identification, don’t eat it. Use sources outside of this article for confirmation.
Remember that almost all wild-foraged mushrooms require cooking to break down the chitin that make up the fungi cell wall. Stay safe and happy foraging!
Sources:
[1] https://alabamamushroomsociety.org/Common-Edible-Mushrooms
[2] https://alabamamushroomsociety.org/Edibility
[3] https://foragingguru.com/mushrooms-in-alabama/
[4] https://youtube.com/watch?v=WJ4SuYhl9pQ
[5] https://foragevine.com/wild-edible-mushrooms-in-alabama/
