Top 20 Most Common Mushrooms in South Africa
Immerse yourself in the impressive range of fungal biodiversity found within the diverse climates and habitats of South Africa. The richness of mushroom species is largely attributed to the country's varied temperate zones, from cool coastal regions to arid plains, creating exceptional environments for mushroom growth. This guide will introduce the top 20 most common mushrooms found in this region, revealing their unique characteristics and habitats. Stay tuned as we delve into the mycological wonders of South Africa.
Most Common Mushrooms
1. Anemone stinkhorn
The anemone stinkhorn (Aseroe rubra) looks like a creature straight from the depths of the ocean…or perhaps a horror movie! This Australian native starts fruiting with a white, egg-like ball that breaks open to reveal bright red tentacle-like fingers that spread toward the sky with radial symmetry and the odor of rotting meat. It has spread to tropical and sub-tropical areas around the world and is potentially poisonous.
2. Devil's fingers
The devil's fingers is a mushroom of a unique appearance, often popping out in gardens and lawns. Its unpleasant odor, similar to the rotting meat, will surely keep people from getting too close. This pungent odor attracts flies, however, which have a significant role in the spore dispersal of the devil's fingers.
3. Split gill
Split gill(Schizophyllum commune) can be found across the globe. Uniquely, it is the only mushroom species known to display the capability to retract by movement. It is considered inedible, although not necessarily toxic. Furthermore, it is not recommended to smell this species, as the spores are capable of sprouting and growing in nasal passages.
4. Fly agaric
In Northern Asia and Europe, fly agaric grows under trees near the winter solstice and is collected for ritual use tied to the season. Its characteristic shape and coloring are still ubiquitous in many European fairy tale illustrations and Christmas traditions. It is highly toxic.
5. Common orange lichen
Common orange lichen was selected in 2006 by the United States Department of Energy as a model for genomic sequencing. Its widespread dispersal and bright yellow-orange color give the lichen its common name. It is primarily found growing on rocks, walls, and tree bark.
6. Shaggy mane
The shaggy mane mushroom is commonly found in North American and European grasslands. Some peoples foraged for its young egg-shaped caps, but it has more recently been found to be a bioaccumulator of heavy metals, meaning it pulls toxic metals up from the soil where it grows. As a result, shaggy manes should not be eaten. The mushrooms usually appear in clusters or “fairy rings.”
7. Laughing gym
Found in many countries around the northern hemisphere, the laughing gym grows on stumps of deciduous trees, and occasionally under conifers. This mushroom is large, firm, and colorful, and appears in small groups. Its scientific name, Gymnopilus junonius, means “naked cap sacred to Juno,” a reference to its distinctive and beautiful appearance. This mushroom is inedible and possibly toxic.
8. Chicken of the woods
Chicken of the woods is very noticeable in hardwood forests, appearing in clusters on standing tree trunks in bright orange and yellow hues that sometimes last through the entire winter. It is a parasite that causes an unfortunate brown heart rot, and is considered a particularly troublesome pest of Yew trees. If the fruitbodies can be seen, the tree is likely already beyond saving.
9. Mica cap
The bell-shaped mica cap mushrooms grow in clusters on wood debris and stumps, from spring to autumn. The caps appear wet and inky once they mature and begin to release spores. At that point, they can be boiled with cloves to create a useful black ink.
10. Panther cap
Named for the brown-and-white spotted pattern on its upper surface, the distinctive panther cap grows under hardwood trees, particularly oak and beech, and also under Monterey pine in urban areas or forests. It contains a cocktail of poisonous toxins with the potential to be deadly.
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