Mushrooms are a type of fungi that grow in a wide range of environments, from forests and fields to deserts and mountains.
They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, and some are edible, while others are poisonous.
Therefore, it is crucial to be able to identify the mushrooms you find in the wild accurately.
In this article, we will focus on 16 common mushrooms in Nevada, including both edible and poisonous species.
We will provide information on how to identify them and distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms.
Key Takeaways:
- There are many different species of mushrooms in Nevada, some of which are edible and some of which are poisonous.
- Edible mushrooms in Nevada include morels, chanterelles, boletes, puffballs, oyster mushrooms, and shaggy mane mushrooms, among others.
- Poisonous mushrooms in Nevada include amanitas, little brown mushrooms, and false morels, among others.
- It is important to learn how to identify the different species of mushrooms and to understand the risks associated with consuming wild mushrooms.
- When hunting for mushrooms, it is important to wear appropriate clothing and footwear, bring a field guide or have a good understanding of the different species of mushrooms in your area, and avoid harvesting mushrooms from polluted areas or areas that have been treated with pesticides or other chemicals.
- Only eat wild mushrooms that have been identified and are well known and popular as edibles. Experimenting can be dangerous.
- Symptoms of mushroom poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, liver failure and death.
- If you are not sure if a mushroom is edible, do not eat it. When in doubt, throw it out.
Edible Mushrooms in Nevada
- Morel Mushrooms (Morchella esculenta) Morel mushrooms are one of the most popular edible mushrooms in the United States. They are found across much of the U.S., especially under hardwood trees in orchards, burn areas, and disturbed grounds. They have a honeycomb-like cap and a hollow stem and are usually harvested in the spring.
- Chanterelle Mushrooms (Cantharellus cibarius) Chanterelle mushrooms are another popular edible mushroom found in Nevada. They have a trumpet-shaped cap and a fruity, apricot-like aroma. They are usually found in the fall under coniferous trees.
- Lobster Mushrooms (Hypomyces lactifluorum) Lobster mushrooms are a unique and delicious edible mushroom found in Nevada. They are not a true mushroom but a parasitic fungus that grows on other mushrooms, usually Russula or Lactarius species. They have a bright red-orange color and a meaty texture and are usually found in the fall.
- Puffball Mushrooms (Calvatia gigantea) Puffball mushrooms are a large, round, and white mushroom found in Nevada. They are edible when young and have a firm, white flesh that can be sliced and fried or grilled. They are usually found in the summer and fall.
- Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) Oyster mushrooms are a popular edible mushroom found in Nevada. They have a delicate, oyster-like flavor and are usually found growing on dead or dying trees in the fall.
- Shaggy Mane Mushrooms (Coprinus comatus) Shaggy Mane mushrooms are a unique and delicious edible mushroom found in Nevada. They have a tall, shaggy cap and a delicate, nutty flavor. They are usually found in the fall.
- Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms (Laetiporus sulphureus) Chicken of the Woods mushrooms are a tasty and nutritious edible mushroom found in Nevada. They have a bright yellow-orange color and a meaty texture and are usually found growing on dead or dying trees in the fall.
- Hedgehog Mushrooms (Hydnum repandum) Hedgehog mushrooms are a delicious and easy-to-identify edible mushroom found in Nevada. They have a spiny cap and a sweet, nutty flavor and are usually found in the fall.
- King Bolete Mushrooms (Boletus edulis) King Bolete mushrooms are a popular and highly prized edible mushroom found in Nevada. They have a large, brown cap and a meaty texture and are usually found growing under coniferous trees in the fall.
- Lion’s Mane Mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) Lion’s Mane mushrooms are a unique and delicious edible mushroom found in Nevada. They have a white, shaggy appearance and a delicate, seafood-like flavor. They are usually found growing on dead or dying trees in the fall.
- Reishi Mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) Reishi mushrooms are a medicinal mushroom found in Nevada. They have a woody texture and a bitter taste and are usually consumed in the form of tea or tincture.
Poisonous Mushrooms in Nevada
- Death Cap Mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) Death Cap mushrooms are one of the most poisonous mushrooms in the world and are responsible for most mushroom-related deaths. They have a white, smooth cap and a ring on the stem and are usually found growing under oak trees in the fall.
- Destroying Angel Mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera) Destroying Angel mushrooms are another deadly poisonous mushroom found in Nevada. They have a white, smooth cap and a ring on the stem and are usually found growing under hardwood trees in the fall.
- Conocybe filaris Conocybe filaris is a small, brown mushroom found in Nevada. It contains the toxin muscarine, which can cause cholinergic poisoning.
- Galerina marginata Galerina marginata is a small, brown mushroom found in Nevada. It contains the toxin amatoxin, which can cause liver and kidney failure.
- Gyromitra esculenta Gyromitra esculenta is a unique and deadly poisonous mushroom found in Nevada. It has a brain-like appearance and contains the toxin gyromitrin, which can cause liver and kidney failure.
- False Morel Mushrooms (Gyromitra caroliniana) False Morel mushrooms are another poisonous mushroom found in Nevada. They have a wrinkled, brain-like cap and contain the toxin gyromitrin, which can cause liver and kidney failure.
How to Identify Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms
Identifying mushrooms can be challenging, but there are some basic identification tips that can help you distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms. Here are some tips:
- Learn to identify the mushrooms you want to eat accurately. Use field guides, mushroom identification apps, and online resources to help you.
- Look for distinctive features such as cap shape, color, and texture, stem shape and color, and gill or pore structure.
- Avoid mushrooms with white gills, a ring on the stem, or a bulbous or sack-like base.
- Be aware of look-alike mushrooms that can be mistaken for edible species. For example, the deadly poisonous Death Cap mushroom can be mistaken for the edible Paddy Straw mushroom.
- When in doubt, throw it out. If you are not 100% sure that a mushroom is edible, do not eat it.
Before You Go
I have other articles you can check out on mushrooms in Nevada. I’ll leave links to them below.
