The mushroom varieties found in Tennessee are morels, chanterelles, chicken of the woods, hedgehog mushrooms, and hen of the woods mushrooms, as well as several poisonous species such as the death cap mushroom and the destroying angel mushroom.
In this blog post, we will be focusing on the edible and poisonous mushrooms found in Tennessee. We will provide a brief overview of this topic.
Key Takeaways
- Mushrooms are a diverse group of organisms that have been used for food, medicine, and spiritual purposes for thousands of years.
- There are many edible mushrooms found in Tennessee, including morels, chanterelles, chicken of the woods, hedgehog mushrooms, and hen of the woods mushrooms.
- There are also several poisonous mushrooms found in Tennessee, including the death cap mushroom, destroying angel mushroom, false morel mushroom, panther cap mushroom, and jack-o-lantern mushroom.
- It’s important to know the difference between edible and poisonous mushrooms and to consult an expert or a guidebook before consuming any mushroom.
- When identifying mushrooms, look for characteristics such as cap shape, stem shape, gills or pores, spore print color, odor, habitat, and time of year.
- Use a highly rated guidebook for your region when identifying mushrooms.
- Never eat any mushroom based on what you read here or anywhere else on the internet.
Characteristics of Mushrooms
Before we dive into the specific types of edible and poisonous mushrooms found in Tennessee, it’s important to understand some general characteristics of mushrooms.
This will help you identify them in the wild and determine whether they are edible or poisonous.
Here are some things to look for when finding a new mushroom:
- Cap shape, size, and color
- Stem shape, size, and color
- Gills or pores underneath the cap
- Spore print color
- Odor
- Habitat
- Time of year
It’s also important to use a highly rated guidebook for your region when identifying mushrooms.
A good guidebook will provide detailed descriptions and photographs of each mushroom, as well as information on their edibility and toxicity.
In addition to these general characteristics, there are eight great mushroom identification traits that can help you distinguish between different types of mushrooms:
- Spore print color
- Cap shape and texture
- Gills or pores
- Stem shape and texture
- Odor
- Habitat
- Time of year
- Bruising or discoloration
By paying attention to these characteristics, you can become a more confident and knowledgeable mushroom hunter.
In the next sections, we will discuss some of the edible and poisonous mushrooms found in Tennessee.
Edible Mushrooms Found in Tennessee
Now that we have covered some general characteristics of mushrooms, let’s take a look at some of the edible mushrooms found in Tennessee.
- Morel Mushrooms (Morchella sp.) – Morels are one of the most sought-after edible mushrooms in the world. They have a distinctive honeycomb-like cap and are usually found in wooded areas in the spring.
- Chanterelle Mushrooms (Cantharellus cibarius) – Chanterelles have a trumpet-shaped cap and a fruity aroma. They are usually found in wooded areas in the summer and fall.
- Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms (Laetiporus sp.) – Chicken of the Woods mushrooms have a bright orange or yellow color and a meaty texture. They are usually found growing on trees in the summer and fall.
- Hedgehog Mushrooms (Hydnum repandum) – Hedgehog mushrooms have a toothed underside instead of gills or pores. They have a sweet and nutty flavor and are usually found in wooded areas in the fall.
- Hen of the Woods Mushrooms (Grifola frondosa) – Hen of the Woods mushrooms have a large, fan-shaped cap and a meaty texture. They are usually found growing on the base of trees in the fall.
Poisonous Mushrooms Found in Tennessee
While there are many edible mushrooms found in Tennessee, there are also several poisonous mushrooms that you should be aware of.
Here are some of the most common poisonous mushrooms found in Tennessee:
- Death Cap Mushroom (Amanita phalloides) – This is one of the most poisonous mushrooms in the world and is responsible for most mushroom-related deaths. It resembles several edible species, increasing the risk of accidental poisoning.
- Destroying Angel Mushroom (Amanita bisporigera) – This mushroom is another highly poisonous species found in many parts of the world. It resembles the edible meadow mushroom, increasing the risk of accidental poisoning.
- False Morel Mushroom (Gyromitra esculenta) – This mushroom contains a toxin that can cause severe illness or death. It resembles the edible morel mushroom, increasing the risk of accidental poisoning.
- Panther Cap Mushroom (Amanita pantherina) – This mushroom is similar in appearance to the death cap mushroom and contains the same deadly toxins.
- Jack-O-Lantern Mushroom (Omphalotus illudens) – This mushroom contains a toxin that can cause severe illness or death. It is often mistaken for the edible chanterelle mushroom.
It’s important to note that these are just a few examples of the poisonous mushrooms found in Tennessee.
Always consult an expert or a guidebook before consuming any mushroom, and never eat any mushroom based on what you read here or anywhere else on the internet.
Before You Go
I have other articles about mushrooms in Tennessee you might want to check out.
I’ll leave links to them below.
