Vacation Mushroom Photos

Scotland and France

We try to plan our vacations during mushroom season. Why travel to distant places when there are no mushrooms!?! In the fall of 2001 my wife, Jane Wardzinska, and I visited Jane's father in the West Lothian area of Scotland and our good friend and avid mushroomer, Jack Aldridge, in the Puy de-Dôme district of France.

No microscope was available, so all of these fungi were identified by macroscopic features using these three field guides:

• Courtecuisse, Régis & Bernard Duhem. 1995. Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and Europe. London: Harper Collins. 480 p.
• Courtecuisse, Régis. 1999. Mushrooms of Britain and Europe. London: Harper Collins. 904 p.
• Phillips, Roger. 1981. Mushrooms and other Fungi of Britain and Europe. London: Pan Books. 288 p.

All photographs © Michael Wood. Click on the species name to see the photo. Most photos also have a higher resolution version available by clicking on the "Hi Res Photo" icon.

Scotland

1. Aleuria
   This beautiful ascomycete keys to Aleuria aurantia in the European field guides. It is significantly more orange than the typical Aleuria aurantia in the Western United States. The common name for this fungus is "orange peel" or "orange cup".
   CAF description
   

2. Calocera viscosa
   Calocera viscosa
   This is a jelly fungus, related to Dacrymyces. It can be differentiated from its coral fungi look-alikes by a greasy and viscid feel.
   

3. Chalciporus piperatus
   This pored mushroom has often been placed in the genus Boletus. Modern molecular work supports the morphological evidence that it does belong in a segregate genus. Chalciporus piperatus is often called the "Peppery Bolete" because of its peppery taste.
   CAF description
   

4. Coprinellus micaceus
   Known as the "Mica Cap".
   CAF description
   

5. Cystoderma sp.
   Growing on rotting wood. The ID is very tentative.
   

6. Hygrocybe
   Hygrocybes typically grow in forests in California, especially redwood forests. In Europe, Hygrocybe is mainly a grasslands species. Many of the same species are found both in California and Europe, but the difference in habitat is an interesting puzzle. The Hygrocybe in the photograph was in the lawn of the birthplace of Robert Burns, in Ayr, Scotland.
   

7. Hypholoma marginatum
   Hypholoma marginatum
   I was unable to get a name on this mushroom while in Scotland. Candidates were Psathyrella, Stropharia, and Hypholoma. I have had several persons suggest Hypholoma marginatum and that seems to be a good macroscopic match.
   

8. Inocybe geophylla var. lilicina
   Inocybe geophylla var. lilicina
   Note both the lilac and white versions are growing together in the first photograph!
   CAF description
   

9. Lactarius deterrimus
   Lactarius deterrimus
   Our common Lactarius with orange latex is Lactarius deliciosus. It grows in California in association with pine trees. Lactarius deterrimus grows in association with spruce. Both species are edible, but L. deliciosus is generally considered superior in flavor.
   

10. Phallus impudicus
    Phallus impudicus
    Phallus impudicus
    Phallus impudicus
    Phallus impudicus
    Phallus impudicus
    This stinkhorn was removed from its natural forest habitat in its immature "egg" stage and planted in my father-in-law's back yard. It "fruited" a couple of days later. The spores are in the stinking gelatinous substance on the head of the mature fungus. The aroma of rotting carrion attracts flies, who then spread the spores. There is nothing left for the fly in the last three photos!
    

11. Piptoporus betulinus
    Piptoporus betulinus
    Piptoporus betulinus
    Piptoporus betulinus
    This polypore is very common where ever Birch is found. Birch is not native to California, but it is conceivable that the "Birch Polypore" will be found growing on some of the many birches that are planted in urban areas of California.
    

12. Ramaria abietina
    This looks just like the Ramaria abietina that is common locally here in coastal California, especially under Cypress.
    CAF description
    

13. Scutellinia scutellata
    Scutellinia scutellata
    This is known as the "eyelash" cup fungus.
    CAF description
    

14. Sparassis crispa
    This is a delicious edible mushroom. Unfortunately, this was found the day before we were returning home, so it remained uneaten, at least by us!
    CAF description
    

15. Xylaria hypoxylon
    The "Candlesnuff Fungus" is very common on dead hardwoods in both North America and Europe.
    CAF description
    

France

1. Amanita muscaria
   Probably the most common large mushroom in the area of France where we were staying.
   CAF description
   

2. Amanita rubescens
   Amanita rubescens
   Amanita rubescens
   This edible Amanita is known as the "Blusher" because the white flesh becomes red where handled. Our California species, Amanita novinupta, was long mis-known as Amanita rubescens, but the differences are distinct.
   

3. Ascocoryne sarcoides
   This ascomycete is also uncommonly found in California. It primarily grows on hardwoods.
   

4. Boletus edulis
   I could not see any significant differences between the Boletus edulis that we find under pines along the coast of California with the Boletus edulis we found under Beech in France and Scotland.
   CAF description
   

5. Boletus erythropus
   Boletus erythropus
   Boletus erythropus
   Boletus erythropus
   You have to love a mushroom that breaks the "rules"! This red pored, blue staining, Boletus is a delicious edible. A similar mushroom, that goes by the same name, is uncommonly found in California. I think they are probably different species.
   

6. Fomitopsis pinicola
   Fomitopsis pinicola
   Although Fomitopsis pinicola typically grows on conifers, especially pine, it occasionally will be found on hardwoods. The specimens photographed were growing on Beech (Fagus).
   CAF description
   

7. Hypholoma sublateritium
   Commonly called "Brick Caps", this mushroom is generally considered edible. We did not try it.
   

8. "Mushrooms"
   We found these large "mushrooms" growing in the Rhone Valley, just south of the Cote-Rotie vinyards.

Oregon

My wife and I traveled to Oregon in June of 2002 for the annual North American Mycological Society foray. While in Oregon we also attended a WAM foray.

All photographs © Michael Wood. Click on the species name to see the photo. Some photos also have a higher resolution version available by clicking on the "Hi Res Photo" icon.

1. Boletus mirabilus
   Boletus mirabilus
   This beautiful bolete is a good edible. It is typically found growing on rotting hemlock (Tsuga) logs.
   

2. Cantharellus cibarius
   Cantharellus cibarius
   The edible yellow chanterelle. Cantharellus formosus is probably more common in Oregon, but these lack the pinkish cast to the hymenium typical of that species.
   CAF description

3. Catathelasma imperialis
   Catathelasma imperialis
   This may be the largest gilled mushroom in North America. Caps can be over 16'' in diameter. It is edible, with a good texture but little flavor.
   

4. Catathelasma ventricosa
   Not as quite large as Catathelasma imperialis, but still a heafty mushroom. Flavor and texure are similar.
   

5. Chrysomphalina aurantiaca
   This bright, little mushroom grows on rotting conifer logs. It is also known as Omphalina luteicolor.
   

6. Gymnopus acervatus
   Gymnopus acervatus
   Gymnopus acervatus
   Gymnopus acervatus grows in dense clusters on rotting conifer logs.
   CAF description

7. Polyozellus multiplex
   Polyozellus multiplex
   This beautiful mushroom is known as the "blue chanterelle".
   

8. Ramaria sp.
   Ramarias are common in conifer forests, but most are difficult to ID to species.
   

9. Tricholoma magnivelare
   Tricholoma magnivelare
   This is the highly prized (to some) "American Matsutake". Its aroma is enticing, but many find its culinary properties are overrated.
   CAF description

New Hampshire & Québec

In August, 2003, my wife and I traveled to Québec City, Québec, Canada for the 2003 North American Mycological Society foray. Before reaching Québec, we mushroomed in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

No microscope was available, so all of these fungi were identified by macroscopic features using these field guides:

• Roody, W.C. (2003). Mushrooms of West Virginea and the Central Appalachians. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Press. 520 p.
• Bessette, A.E., Roody, W.C. & Bessette, A.R. (2000). North American Boletes: A Color Guide to the Fleshy Pored Mushrooms. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press. 400 p.
• Barron, G. (1999). Mushrooms of Northeast North America. Edmonton, AB: Lone Pine Publishing. 336 p.
• Bessette, A.E., Bessette, A.R. & Fischer, D.W. (1997). Mushrooms of Northeastern North America. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press. 582 p.

Most of these species do not occur in the Western United States.

All photographs © Michael Wood. Click on the species name to see the photo. Some photos also have a higher resolution version available by clicking on the "Hi Res Photo" icon.

New Hampshire

1. Amanita virosa
   Amanita virosa
   Amanita virosa
   This is one of the deadly poisonous "destroying angels".
   

2. Boletus ornatipes
   Boletus ornatipes
   The reticulum on the stipe is distinctive.
   

3. Climacadon septentrionale
   Climacadon septentrionale
   Climacadon septentrionale
   From a distance this mushroom looks like a typical polypore growing on a tree. Upon closer inspection you will notice that it has spines instead of pores on the lower surface.
   

4. Gyroporus cyanescens
   This bolete blues very quickly!
   

5. Paxillus atrotomentosus
   Very young.
   

6. Strobilomyces floccopus
   Called "the old man of the woods", a strange name with an unknown origin.
   

7. Tylopilus felleus
   Tylopilus felleus
   From a distance this can be confused with Boletus edulis, an excellent edible. But this mushroom is extemely bitter.
   

Québec

1. Amanita muscaria
   Amanita muscaria
   The common Amanita muscaria in the Eastern United States has a yellow, unlike the common Amanita muscaria of the West Coast that has a red cap.
   CAF description

2. Clavaria rosea
   This bright little Clavaria is uncommon.
   

3. Clavulinopsis laeticolor
   This coral fungus occurs across the United States.
   CAF description

4. Craterellus tubaeformis
   Often called the "yellow foot" chanterelle. Here on the west coast we sometimes call them the "winter chanterelle" because they appear in January and February. I'm sure they don't do that in Québec!
   

5. Galerina sp.
   Moss is a common habitat for Galerinas.
   

6. Ganoderma applanatum
   The "artists conk".
   CAF description

7. Lactarius lignyotus
   A very handsome Lactarius.
   

8. Lycoperdon perlatum
   A common puffball.
   CAF description

9. Nolanea quadrata
   Few Nolaneas are bright colored, this is the exception.
   

10. Ramaria sp.
    Ramaria sp.
    Ramarias are common in many forests, but most are difficult to ID to species.
    

11. Russula sp.
    One of several Russulas with green colors in the cap.
    

12. Scleroderma citrina
    Scleroderma species are often called "earthballs" to distinguish them from the "true" puffballs. Earthballs, which are related to the boletes, are mycorrhizal and not edible. The puffballs are related to Agaricus, are saprophytic, and are generally edible when young.
    

13. Xerula radicata
    Also called Oudemansiella radicata, this mushroom is reputably edible.

North Carolina & Virginia

My wife and I traveled to Asheville, North Carolina for the 2004 North American Mycological Society foray. I also attended the Mycological Society of America meeting immediately following the NAMA foray. We also spent some time in and around Rockbridge County, Virginia.

No microscope was available, so all of these fungi were identified by macroscopic features using these field guides:

• Roody, W.C. (2003). Mushrooms of West Virginea and the Central Appalachians. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Press. 520 p.
• Weber, N.S. & Smith, A.H. (1985). A Field Guide to Southern Mushrooms. Ann Arbor, MN: University of Michigan Press. 280 p.
• Lincoff, G.H. (1981). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. 928 p.
• Bessette, A.E., Roody, W.C. & Bessette, A.R. (2000). North American Boletes: A Color Guide to the Fleshy Pored Mushrooms. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press. 400 p.

With a few exceptions, these species do not occur in the Western United States.

All photographs © Michael Wood. Click on the species name to see the photo. Some photos also have a higher resolution version available by clicking on the "Hi Res Photo" icon.

North Carolina

1. Boletus bicolor
   Boletus bicolor
   The Eastern United States has many more species of boletes compared to our bolete mycota here in the West. Many are of great beauty and bright colors, such as this Boletus bicolor.
   

2. Boletus ornatipes
   Boletus ornatipes
   This bright yellow bolete quickly stains brown when handled. It also stains your hands and your collecting bag yellow!
   

3. Boletus variipes
   Boletus variipes
   Another pretty bolete, but not bright like the previous two!
   

4. Boletus speciosus
   Boletus speciosus
   The specific epithet, "speciosus" means "showy" or "beautiful", which is quit appropriate for this gorgeous mushroom!
   

5. Boletus subvelutipes
   Boletus subvelutipes
   Wow, another reddish bolete! As with many red pored boletes, this one is reputed to be poisonous.
   

6. Cantharellus cinnabarinus
   Cantharellus cinnabarinus
   Cantharellus cinnabarinus
   These beautiful chanterelles were the most common mushroom species we saw during this trip. With their bright colors, they are easy to spot in spite of their small size.
   

7. Cantharellus lateritius
   Known as the "smooth chanterelle" because of it mostly smooth hymenium.
   

8. Chlorociboria aeruginascens
   Chlorociboria aeruginascens
   Chlorociboria aeruginascens stained wood
   The mycelium of these bright blue-green cup fungi stain the wood in which they are growing a similar color. When wood that has been stained by fungal growth is used for furniture, it is called "spalted" wood.
   

9. Clavulinopsis laeticolor
   This coral fungus occurs across the United States.
   CAF description

10. Hydnum umbilicatum
    Hydnum umbilicatum
    The "belly button hedgehog" is a good edible mushroom.
    CAF description

11. Lactarius corrugis
    Most of the Lactarii I encountered on this trip had much more copious "milk" than the typical west coast Lactarius.
    

12. Lactarius deceptivus
    Lactarius deceptivus
    I'm a bit hesitant about this ID. One or both of these photos could be Lactarius subvellereus.
    

13. Lactarius volemus
    This species and Lactarius corrugis are considered very good edible mushrooms by most who have tried them.
    

14. Phellodon atratus
    This is one of the many fungi that can be used for dyeing fabric. See A Brief History of the Art of Mushroom Dyeing for more information.
    

15. Ramariopsis kunzei
    This coral mushroom has a brittle texture.
    CAF description

16. Spathulariopsis velutipes
    The specific epithet means "velvet foot".
    

17. Strobilomyces floccopus
    Called "the old man of the woods", a strange name with an unknown origin.
    

18. Tremellodendron pallidum
    This fungus is related to the jelly fungi, not most of the coral fungi.
    

19. Wynnea americana
    This "cup fungus" has apothecia that look like elongated rabbit ears.
    

Virginia

1. Amanita citrina
   Amanita citrina will have patches of universal veil remnant on the cap in younger specimens. Faded specimens can resemble the destroying angels, but this mushroom has an abruptly bulbous stipe base, not a sac-like volva.
   

2. Amanita sp.
   Amanita sp.
   We saw lots of small attractive Amanitas.
   

3. Boletus ornatipes
   Boletus ornatipes
   The specific epithet means "ornate foot" and refers to the conspicuous reticulation of the stipe.
   

4. Calostoma cinnabarina
   Calostoma cinnabarina
   This is one weird looking "puffball"! On the basis of DNA research, we know that Calostoma is related to the boletes! There are three species of Calostoma in North America and about a dozen more in Asia and Australia.
   

5. Cantharellus cinnabarinus
   Cantharellus cinnabarinus
   The specific epithet "cinnabarinus" means "cinnabar colored". Cinnabar is the vermillion colored ore that is the principle source of mercury.
   

6. Clavicorona pyxidata
   This coral fungus is easy to recognize by the crown-shaped branch tips. Also known as Artomyces pyxidatus.
   

7. Dacrymyces palmatus
   This jelly fungus grows on decorticated conifer wood.
   

8. Unknown mushroom
   This one would require a microscope for identification. All of the mushrooms here could use a microscope for confirmation.
   

9. Tylopilus plumbeoviolaceus
   Tylopilus plumbeoviolaceus
   Another beautiful bolete, this one a Tylopilus. The pores will have a reddish tinge at maturity from the spore color.