Mushrooms are a popular food for many people and you may be wondering which ones are common in New York.
In this article, we will go over 11 different mushrooms that can be found in the state.
1. Chicken-of-the-Woods
Chicken-of-the-Woods is a common mushroom in New York. It gets its name from its chicken-like taste and texture.
This mushrooms grows in clusters on the trunks of trees, stumps, or fallen logs.
It can also be found growing on the ground in wooded areas.
Chicken-of-the-Woods is usually bright yellow, orange, or red. It has a fan-shaped cap with ruffled edges.
The underside of the cap is white and covered with small pores.
Chicken-of-the-Woods can grow to be quite large, sometimes up to two feet across!
This mushroom is edible, but it should be cooked before eating because it can cause stomach upset if eaten raw.
Chicken-of-the-Woods can be sauteed, grilled, or roasted.
It can also be added to soups or stews.
This mushroom goes well with chicken, hence its name. If you’re lucky enough to find some Chicken-of-the-Woods, be sure to give it a try!
2. Hen-of-the-Woods
Hen-of-the-Woods, also known as maitake, is a common mushroom in New York.
This type of mushroom is typically found in late summer or early autumn, and prefers to grow on the trunk of hardwood trees.
The hen-of-the-woods mushroom gets its name from its distinct shape. The mushroom resembles a plump chicken with its many ruffled “feathers.”
This type of mushroom is highly prized for its culinary uses.
When cooked, hen-of-the-woods mushrooms have a savory, umami flavor that pairs well with other earthy ingredients like garlic and thyme.
They can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, risottos, and pasta dishes.
If you’re lucky enough to find hen-of-the-woods mushrooms growing in your backyard or on a nature hike, be sure to cook them properly before eating.
These mushrooms should always be cooked before consuming, as they can cause stomach upset if eaten raw.
When cooking hen-of-the woods mushrooms, be sure to remove any dirt or debris by gently brushing them with a damp cloth.
You can then slice or chop the mushrooms as desired before adding them to your recipe.
3. Giant Puffball
The Giant Puffball is a common mushroom found in New York.
This type of mushroom is typically white or cream-colored and can grow to be quite large, up to 20 inches in diameter!
The Giant Puffball gets its name from the fact that when it releases its spores, they look like puffs of smoke.
This type of mushroom typically grows in grassy areas and woods.
If you’re out for a walk in nature and see a large, white mushroom, there’s a good chance it’s a Giant Puffball.
These mushrooms are edible when they are young and have not yet released their spores.
However, once they release their spores, they become inedible.
If you come across a Giant Puffball while hiking or walking in the woods, you can take a closer look at it but be sure not to touch it or disturb it in any way.
These mushrooms are an important part of the ecosystem and play a role in decomposing organic matter.
4. Bear’s-Head Tooth
The Bear’s-Head Tooth is a common mushroom found in New York.
This edible fungi has a white or cream-colored cap with brownish scales.
The Bear’s-Head Tooth gets its name from its tooth-like spines that protrude from the underside of the cap.
These spines are what help the Bear’s-Head Tooth to release its spores into the air so that they can be carried away by the wind and spread to new areas.
This fungi is most often found growing on dead or dying hardwood trees, such as oaks and maples.
The Bear’s-Head Tooth typically fruits from late summer through early winter.
When picking this mushroom, be sure to look for ones that are fresh and have not yet started to decay.
You can cook the Bear’s-Head Tooth in a variety of ways, including sautéing, grilling, or roasting.
5. Golden Chanterelle
The Golden Chanterelle is a type of mushroom that is common in New York.
This mushroom has a yellow or golden color, and it is often found growing in the wild.
The Golden Chanterelle is a delicious mushroom that can be cooked in many different ways.
It is also a good source of vitamins and minerals.
6. King Bolete
The King Bolete is a common mushroom in New York. It’s a large, brownish mushroom with a white stem.
The King Bolete has a very distinctive taste and is often used in cooking. This mushroom is very popular in Asian cuisine.
The King Bolete is a member of the bolete family of mushrooms.
This family includes some of the most popular mushrooms, such as the shiitake and oyster mushrooms.
These mushrooms are native to North America and can be found in many different habitats, including forests, grasslands, and even urban areas.
This mushroom is very easy to identify due to its large size and unique coloration.
If you’re lucky enough to find one of these mushrooms, be sure to cook it properly before eating it.
The King Bolete is a delicious addition to any meal!
7. Oyster
Oyster mushrooms are one of the most common mushrooms in New York. They’re often found growing on trees, logs, or stumps in forests.
Oyster mushrooms are easy to identify because of their distinctive shape and color.
They have a grayish-brown cap with white gills that run down the stem.
Oyster mushrooms are edible, but they’re not the best-tasting mushroom out there. They’re often used in soups or stir-fries because of their mild flavor.
If you do decide to eat oyster mushrooms, make sure you cook them first.
Raw oyster mushrooms can cause stomach upset in some people.
While oyster mushrooms are generally considered safe to eat, there have been a few reports of people getting sick after consuming them.
It’s important to only harvest oyster mushrooms from areas that haven’t been sprayed with pesticides or other chemicals.
8. Common Earthball
The Common Earthball, also known as Scleroderma citrinum, is a poisonous mushroom that is commonly found in New York.
This mushroom gets its name from its round shape and brown color, which resembles a small ball of earth.
The Common Earthball typically grows in woodlands, fields, and gardens. While this mushroom is not deadly, it can cause gastrointestinal upset if eaten.
Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
If you suspect that you or someone you know has eaten a Common Earthball, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
9. The Sickener
The Sickener is a poisonous mushroom that is common in New York.
This mushroom can cause serious illness or even death if ingested, so it is important to be able to identify it and avoid consuming it.
The Sickener has a white or pale yellow cap, and the flesh of the mushroom is white as well.
The gills of the mushroom are also white, and they may have a slightly yellow tinge.
The stem of the mushroom is typically slender and fragile, and it may be curved or bent.
This mushroom grows in woods, meadows, and fields, and it is often found near stumps or logs.
The Sickener can be confused with other mushrooms, so it is important to be certain of its identity before consuming it.
If you are unsure, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid eating any mushrooms that you cannot positively identify.
10. Deathcap
The Deathcap is a poisonous mushroom that is common in New York.
This mushroom can be deadly if ingested, and it is important to be able to identify it so that you can avoid consuming it.
The Deathcap has a white or pale cap, and the gills underneath are also white.
The stem of this mushroom is typically white as well, and it may have a ring around it near the top.
This mushroom usually grows in moist areas like woods or gardens, and it is often found near trees.
If you suspect that you have eaten a Deathcap mushroom, seek medical attention immediately as this mushroom can be fatal.
If you come across this mushroom while out hiking or foraging, it is best to leave it alone and not take the risk of consuming it.
11. Deadly Galerina
The Galerina is a poisonous mushroom that is common in New York.
This mushroom can be deadly if ingested, and it is important to be able to identify it so that you can avoid eating it.
The Galerina looks similar to other mushrooms, but there are some key differences that you can look for.
The cap of this mushroom is brown or reddish-brown, and it is often covered in scales or warts.
The gills on the underside of the cap are also brown, and they may be spaced close together or far apart.
The stem of the Galerina is typically white or cream-colored, and it may have a ring near the top.
If you come across a mushroom that you think might be a Galerina, it is best not to take any chances. Do not eat it, and avoid touching it if possible.
If you do come into contact with this mushroom, wash your hands thoroughly as soon as possible.
