page_title: Edible mushroom
section_title: Other edible wild species
hierarchical_section_title: Edible mushroom / Current culinary use / Other edible wild species
caption_attribution_description: Systematics: Fungi - Basidiomycota - Heterobasidiomycetes - Auriculariales - Auriculariaceae - Auricularia auricula-judae Photo by Svdmolen 13 november 2005 the Netherlands
context_page_description: Edible mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruit bodies of several species of macrofungi. They can appear either below ground or above ground where they may be picked by hand. Edibility may be defined by criteria that include absence of poisonous effects on humans and desirable taste and aroma.
  Edible mushrooms are consumed for their nutritional and culinary value. Mushrooms, especially dried shiitake, are sources of umami flavor from guanylate.
  Mushrooms consumed by those practicing folk medicine are known as medicinal mushrooms. While psychedelic mushrooms are occasionally consumed for recreational or entheogenic purposes, they can produce psychological effects, and are therefore not commonly used as food. There is no evidence from high-quality clinical research that "medicinal" mushrooms have any effect on human diseases.
  Edible mushrooms include many fungal species that are either harvested wild or cultivated. Easily cultivated and common wild mushrooms are often available in markets, and those that are more difficult to obtain may be collected on a smaller scale by private gatherers. Some preparations may render certain poisonous mushrooms fit for consumption.
context_section_description: Many wild species are consumed around the world. The species which can be identified "in the field" (without use of special chemistry or a microscope) and therefore safely eaten vary widely from country to country, even from region to region. This list is a sampling of lesser-known species that are reported as edible.
  Agaricus arvensis (Horse Mushroom)
  Agaricus silvaticus (Pinewood Mushroom)
  Amanita caesarea (Caesar's Mushroom)
  Armillaria mellea (Honey mushroom)
  Boletus badius (Bay Bolete)
  Calocybe gambosa (St George's mushroom)
  Calvatia utriformis (Lycoperdon caelatum)
  Chroogomphus species (pine-spikes or spike-caps)
  Clavariaceae species (coral fungus family)
  Clavulinaceae species (coral fungus family)
  Coprinus comatus, the Shaggy mane, Shaggy Inkcap or Lawyer's Wig. Must be cooked as soon as possible after harvesting or the caps will first turn dark and unappetizing, then deliquesce and turn to ink. Not found in markets for this reason.
  Corn smut economically important pathogens of cereals. Known in Mexico as huitlacoche, where it is considered a delicacy. Corn smuts can be used as filings in quesadillas, tacos and soups.
  Cortinarius variicolor
  Cyttaria espinosae
  Fistulina hepatica (beefsteak polypore or the ox tongue)
  Flammulina velutipes (Velvet Shank or Winter Fungus)
  Hygrophorus chrysodon
  Kalaharituber pfeilii
  Lactarius deterrimus (Orange Milkcap)
  Lactarius salmonicolor
  Lactarius subdulcis (mild milkcap)
  Lactarius volemus (Fishy Milkcap). Also known as "Weeping Milkcap".
  Laetiporus sulphureus (Sulphur shelf). Also known by names such as the "chicken mushroom", "chicken fungus", the sulphur shelf is a distinct bracket fungus popular among mushroom hunters.
  Leccinum aurantiacum (Red-capped scaber stalk)
  Leccinum scabrum (Birch bolete)
  Leccinum versipelle (Orange Birch Bolete / Boletus testaceoscaber)
  Macrolepiota procera (Parasol Mushroom); globally, it is widespread in temperate regions
  Marasmius oreades (Fairy Ring Champignon)
  Polyporus mylittae
  Polyporus squamosus (Dryad's saddle and Pheasant's back mushroom)
  Ramariaceae species (coral fungus family)
  Rhizopogon luteolus
  Russula, some members of this genus, such as R. laeta, are edible
  Sparassis crispa, also known as "cauliflower mushroom"
  Suillus bovinus
  Suillus granulatus (Weeping Bolete). Also known as "Granulated Bolete".
  Suillus luteus (Slippery Jack)
  Suillus tomentosus
  Tricholoma terreum
caption: Auricularia auricula-judae
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