Top 20 Most Common Mushrooms in Innsbruck

Most commonly found under beeches in forests or parks, this crumbly mushroom can appear in colors ranging from red and yellow to violet, blue-grey, or even green. Its scientific name represents this variability: Russula cyanoxantha means “reddish blue-blonde.”

Sweetbread mushroom(Clitopilus prunulus) is commonly found in grasslands, and it may be solitary or found among others of its kind. It exudes a characteristic odor reminiscent of raw pastry, responsible for its alternative common name of "the sweetbread mushroom." Foraging is discouraged for this mushroom, as its appearance is too similar to a deadly species.

The sulphur tuft grows on rotting wood of all types of trees; it is a particularly efficient decomposer of hardwoods. The mushrooms appear from spring to autumn and are often so tightly packed that they interfere with each other’s shape. This poisonous mushroom can cause temporary paralysis, distorted vision, and stomach pain if consumed.

Purplepore bracket(Trichaptum abietinum) is distinctively violet when young but fades to a light cream color as it matures. (If hosting algae, specimens may even appear green at first glance.) An unusually powerful white rotter, this species eschews deciduous woods and is most commonly found sprouting on dead conifer woods. It is considered inedible.

The hairy bracket is a polypore that grows on dead hardwoods, with beech trees being a particularly favored host. The species usually grows in solitary, semi-circular shelves that protrude outwards from branches or boles. Although their color is muted, you may still catch sight of them in winter - because they sport tough, leathery bodies, they can persist even after most fruiting mushrooms have faded away for the season.

Pseudevernia furfuracea is associated with photobionts from the green algae genus Trebouxia. It reproduces asexually by isidia. The ontogeny of isidia development and its role in CO2 gas exchange in P. furfuracea has been investigated. The preferred growing surfaces for P. furfuracea are the so-called "nutrient poor" bark trees, including birch, pine and spruce. The species has two morphologically identical varieties that are distinguished by the secondary metabolites they produce: var. ceratea Zopf. produces olivetoric acid and other physodic acids, while var. furfuracea produces physodic but not olivetoric acid. Some authors (e.g., Hale 1968) have separated the chemotypes at the species level, designating the olivetoric acid-containing specimens as Pseudevernia olivetorina, but more recent literature separates them at the varietal level.

Larch bolete is a vibrant member of the "slippery jack" genus. Like other members of that family, this species sports a slick or slimy cap and has a somewhat bulbous form. Suillus grevillei is also commonly called a "Larch Bolete" because it only associates with larch trees, with which it has a symbiotic relationship.

Clustered toughshank has a gregarious nature, often growing in clumps or fairy ring formations. This mushroom also associates with a variety of trees, though it has a slight preference for hardwoods. However, more interesting than the gregarious nature of this mushroom is its ability to become a mushroom zombie. Similar to other mushrooms, clustered toughshank dries up without access to moisture. However, this mushroom has the ability to revive with rainy weather.

A common sight across European forests, and also seen in parts of Asia and North America, common funnel(Clitocybe gibba) is named for its delightfully evocative appearance. Preferring the company of groups, it is prone to forming fairy rings, historically thought to mark the dancing places of elves.

The stinking parachute grows directly upon the decaying fallen needles of fir, spruce, and pine trees. It produces an ugly odor often described as resembling rotting cabbage. Obviously, the smell also inspired the Stinking parachute's common name. The genus name, Gymnopus, means "naked foot."