North Carolina Mushrooms and other Fungi

by Jeffrey S. Pippen | Back to Jeff's Plant Page | Jeff's Nature Pages


Note: I am no mushroom expert!! Many thanks go to those who have identified these mushrooms for me, including Rytas V., Jason J., Greg B., Ansel B., Kyra W., and others. An excellent book for the Carolinas is Bessette, Bessette, and Hopping, 2018, "A Field Guide to Mushrooms of the Carolinas".
Green-spored Lepiota (Chlorophyllum molybdites)
Durham Co., NC
25 Sep 2011

Fairly large white mushrooms growing in a lawn. This mushroom commonly forms fairy rings in lawns and is poisonous. Do not eat.

Green-spored Lepiota (Chlorophyllum molybdites)
Durham Co., NC
25 Sep 2011

Underside shows white gills.

Green-spored Lepiota (Chlorophyllum molybdites)
Durham Co., NC
25 Sep 2011

Youngster

Green-spored Lepiota (Chlorophyllum molybdites)
Durham Co., NC
25 Sep 2011

Green-spored Lepiota (Chlorophyllum molybdites)
Durham Co., NC
25 Sep 2011

These mushrooms were growing in a nice "fairy ring" in a lawn in our neighborhood.

Green-spored Lepiota (Chlorophyllum molybdites)
Durham Co., NC
25 Sep 2011

Fairy rings, also known as elf circles or pixie rings, grow in forests, fields, and lawns and are circles or arcs of mushrooms connected underground by their mycelium.


Caesar's Amanita (Amanita caesarea) American Caesar's Amanita (Amanita jacksonii)
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006

This species of Amanita is reported to be edible.

Caesar's Amanita (Amanita caesarea) American Caesar's Amanita (Amanita jacksonii)
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006
Caesar's Amanita (Amanita caesarea) American Caesar's Amanita (Amanita jacksonii)
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006
Caesar's Amanita (Amanita caesarea) American Caesar's Amanita (Amanita jacksonii)
Durham Co., NC
28 Sep 2011
Caesar's Amanita (Amanita caesarea) American Caesar's Amanita (Amanita jacksonii)
Durham Co., NC
28 Sep 2011

Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006

Widespread and common, this species of Amanita is poisonous.

Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006

Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006

Destroying Angel, Death Angel (Amanita bisporangia) #3723
Destroying Angel, Death Angel (Amanita sp.)
Durham Co., NC
28 Sep 2011

Common in the eastern US, as its name implies, these are the most poisonous mushrooms in the world and is responsible for a signifant portion of mushroom-related fatalities.

Destroying Angel, Death Angel (Amanita bisporangia) #3723
Destroying Angel, Death Angel (Amanita sp.)
Durham Co., NC
28 Sep 2011

For reference, the diameter of the cap of these mushrooms is often larger than one's hand.

Destroying Angel, Death Angel (Amanita bisporangia) #3723
Destroying Angel, Death Angel (Amanita sp.)
Durham Co., NC
28 Sep 2011


#5192
Destroying Angel, Death Angel (Amanita sp.)
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006

Possibly the same species as above or a closely related Death Angel. Either way, eating it would be fatal.

#5192
Destroying Angel, Death Angel (Amanita sp.)
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006

#5192
Destroying Angel, Death Angel (Amanita sp.)
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006
#5192
Destroying Angel, Death Angel (Amanita sp.)
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006

Armillaria tabescens
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006
Armillaria tabescens
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006

Bloodfoot Mushroom (Mycena haematopus) Bloodfoot Mushroom (Mycena haematopus)
Orange Co., NC
28 Sep 2009

Bloodfoot Mushroom (Mycena haematopus) Bloodfoot Mushroom (Mycena haematopus)
Orange Co., NC
28 Sep 2009

When picked, the broken stipe "bleeds".


Hairy Bolete (Suillus hirtellus)
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006
Hairy Bolete (Suillus hirtellus)
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006
Hairy Bolete (Suillus hirtellus)
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006
Hairy Bolete (Suillus hirtellus)
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006

Gomphidius sp.
Orange Co., NC
11 Oct 2006
Gomphidius sp.
Orange Co., NC
11 Oct 2006
Gomphidius sp.
Orange Co., NC
11 Oct 2006

Pleurotus sp. Pleurotis sp.
Moore Co., NC
12 Apr 2008
Pleurotus sp. Pleurotis sp.
Moore Co., NC
12 Apr 2008

Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius)
Transylvania Co., NC
9 Sep 2012

Smooth golden orange above, this is considered to be one of the most delicious mushrooms in the world.

Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius)
Transylvania Co., NC
9 Sep 2012

Note gill-like ridges that taper down the stipe.


Gymnopus iocephalus
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006
Gymnopus iocephalus
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006

Melanoleuca maritima
Growing in the sand dunes at Cape Hatteras
Dare Co., NC
11 Nov 2006

Devil's Stinkhorn, Red Stinkhorn (Phallus rubicundus) Devil's Stinkhorn, Red Stinkhorn (Phallus rubicundus)
Growing in landscape mulch, York Co., VA
21 Aug 2013

Devil's Stinkhorn, Red Stinkhorn (Phallus rubicundus) Devil's Stinkhorn, Red Stinkhorn (Phallus rubicundus)
Growing in landscape mulch, York Co., VA
21 Aug 2013


Ravenal's Stinkhorn (Phallus ravenalii) Ravenal's Stinkhorn (Phallus ravenalii)
In landscape Mulch, Durham Co., NC
13 Oct 2014
Ravenal's Stinkhorn (Phallus ravenalii) Ravenal's Stinkhorn (Phallus ravenalii)
In landscape Mulch, Durham Co., NC
13 Oct 2014

coral fungus (Ramaria sp.) Coral fungus (Ramaria sp.)
Mixed forest in Durham Co., NC
4 Nov 2009

One of the many species of coral fungi...

coral fungus (Ramaria sp.) Coral fungus (Ramaria sp.)
Mixed forest in Durham Co., NC
4 Nov 2009


Yellow Coral fungus complex (Ramaria aurea) complex
Mixed forest in Durham Co., NC
18 Oct 2020
Yellow Coral fungus complex (Ramaria aurea) complex
Mixed forest in Durham Co., NC
18 Oct 2020
Yellow Coral fungus complex (Ramaria aurea) complex
Mixed forest in Durham Co., NC
18 Oct 2020
Yellow Coral fungus complex (Ramaria aurea) complex
Mixed forest in Durham Co., NC
18 Oct 2020

American Cauliflower Mushroom (Sparassis americana)
Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC
15 Aug 2020

Reportedly edible

American Cauliflower Mushroom (Sparassis americana)
Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC
15 Aug 2020

Purple-spored Puffball (Calvatia cyathiformis) probably Purple-spored Puffball (Calvatia cyathiformis)
Durham Co., NC
28 Sep 2011

These large puffball mushrooms are edible.

Purple-spored Puffball (Calvatia cyathiformis) probably Purple-spored Puffball (Calvatia cyathiformis)
Durham Co., NC
28 Sep 2011


Earth Star (Geastrum saccatum) Earth Star (Geastrum saccatum)
Pine woods in Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
18 Sep 2008
Earth Star (Geastrum saccatum) Earth Star (Geastrum saccatum)
Pine woods in Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
18 Sep 2008
Earth Star (Geastrum saccatum) Earth Star (Geastrum saccatum)
Pine woods in Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
18 Sep 2008
Earth Star (Geastrum saccatum) Earth Star (Geastrum saccatum)
Pine woods in Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
18 Sep 2008

Wolf-fart Puffball, Stump Puffball (Lycoperdon pyriforme) Wolf-fart Puffball, Stump Puffball (Lycoperdon pyriforme)
Mixed forest in Durham Co., NC
4 Nov 2009

Thanks to Jason & Rytas for ID!

Wolf-fart Puffball, Stump Puffball (Lycoperdon pyriforme) Wolf-fart Puffball, Stump Puffball (Lycoperdon pyriforme)
Mixed forest in Durham Co., NC
4 Nov 2009


Chicken of the Woods Mushroom (Laetiporus sulphureus) Chicken of the Woods Mushroom (Laetiporus sulphureus)
Bottomland forest in Durham Co., NC
26 Oct 2009

Chicken of the Woods Mushroom (Laetiporus sulphureus) Chicken of the Woods Mushroom (Laetiporus sulphureus)
Bottomland forest in Durham Co., NC
26 Oct 2009

Chicken of the Woods Mushroom (Laetiporus sulphureus) Chicken of the Woods Mushroom (Laetiporus sulphureus)
Bottomland forest in Durham Co., NC
26 Oct 2009


Hen-of-the-Woods (Grifola frondosa) Hen-of-the-Woods (Grifola frondosa)
Durham Co., NC
28 Sep 2011

Edible when young, Hen-of-the-Woods is used in various oriental medicinal remedies as well as being eaten in many recipes.

Hen-of-the-Woods (Grifola frondosa) Hen-of-the-Woods (Grifola frondosa)
Durham Co., NC
28 Sep 2011

Hen-of-the-Woods (Grifola frondosa) Hen-of-the-Woods (Grifola frondosa)
Durham Co., NC
28 Sep 2011


False Turkey Tail Fungus <I>(Stereum ostrea)</I> False Turkey Tail Fungus (Stereum ostrea)
Durham Co., NC
7 Sep 2008

False Turkey Tail Fungus <I>(Stereum ostrea)</I> False Turkey Tail Fungus (Stereum ostrea)
Durham Co., NC
7 Sep 2008

False Turkey Tail Fungus (Stereum ostrea)
Orange Co., NC
24 Aug 2006
False Turkey Tail Fungus (Stereum ostrea)
Orange Co., NC
24 Aug 2006
False Turkey Tail Fungus (Stereum ostrea)
Orange Co., NC
24 Aug 2006

Nice shelf fungus on oak

Orange Co., NC
17 Mar 2007

Interesting fungus
Weymouth Woods, Moore Co., NC
14 March 2007

Orange Jelly Fungus (Dacrymyces palmatus)
Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006
Orange Jelly Fungus (Dacrymyces palmatus)Orange Co., NC
15 Sep 2006

Violet puple Cobalt Crust Fungus, Velvet Blue Spread (Terana caerulea)
Orange Co., NC
28 Sep 2009

Thanks to Margaretha L. for ID!


Enteridium lycoperdon Slime Mold , #4383
Growing on Loblolly Pine trunk in Orange Co., NC
27 May 2008

About the size of a fist. White outer skin was very thin and easily broken. Inner mass was very soft.

Thanks to Margaretha Liebmann and John Smith for identifications.

Enteridium lycoperdon Slime Mold , #4383
Growing on Loblolly Pine trunk in Orange Co., NC
27 May 2008

Here are a fungi that appear to mimic flowers and some fungus-like galls produced by flies!

Exobasidium vaccinii
Brunswick Co., NC
15 May 2004

This fungus, growing on a blueberry shrub in a pine savanna, apprears to mimic a flower!

Exobasidium vaccinii
Brunswick Co., NC
15 May 2004
Cypress flower gall midge (Taxodiomyia cupressi, formerly Itonida anthici)
Cumberland Co., NC
3 Sep 2006

Although this looks very much like a fungus growing on Bald Cypress, it's actually a gall produced by a type of fly in the family Cecidomyiidae!

Cypress flower gall midge (Taxodiomyia cupressi)
Cumberland Co., NC
3 Sep 2006

Close-up of above

Cypress leaf gall (Itonida taxodii)
Cumberland Co., NC
3 Sep 2006

This is yet another gall produced by a different species of fly in the family Cecidomyiidae.


Morel
Clearwater Co., ID
12 May 2010

While NC is home to a few species of morels, this particular species (unsure exactly) was photographed in Idaho and likely doesn't occur here. Nevertheless -- Yum!


Thanks to Rytas Vilgalys, Jason Jackson and Greg Bonito for identification help!


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Created on ... Sep 22, 2006 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com