Top 20 Most Common Mushrooms in Paragould

Bitter oysterling(Panellus stipticus) is most often found growing on pieces of dead or decaying wood. Certain strands of this species are particularly notable for their bioluminescence, which is a rare but not unknown trait among the various species of fungi. Because it is small and bitter, this species is generally considered inedible.

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.

The fruit body, or crust, of Xylobolus frustulatus has a woody texture and is perennial. It is mostly 1–2 mm thick, although it can be considerably thicker. The crust is frustose (cracking into small, angular polygons), and infrequently curled at the edges. The upper surface is zonate (appearing to have multiple zones of color or texture), and more or less smooth. The hymenial surface is smooth to the naked eye, although long soft hairs can be seen when viewed with a microscope. These 'hairs' are protruding acanthocystidia (cystidia bearing a few projections near the tip) and hyphae. Young layers are pale ochraceous, while older ones dull to deep brown. The fungus is inedible, and lacks any distinctive taste or odor. The hyphal system is monomitic, meaning that there are only generative hyphae (relatively undifferentiated hyphae that can develop reproductive structures) are present. These vertically arranged, short-celled hyphae form transitions to acanthocystidia, and have a diameter of about 3.5–5 µm. They are sparsely branched, and hyaline (translucent) to yellowish-brown, although those in older layers may be more strongly pigmented. Other hyphae (such as in the trama) are few or absent, although they can be most readily observed in very thin sections. Measuring 3–5 µm wide, they are vertically arranged, thin to moderately thick-walled, and form transitions to pseudocystidia. All of the hyphae of X. frustulatus lack clamp connections. Pseudocystidia (sterile structures arising deep in the subhymenium and protruding into the hymenium) are rare. Thin to moderately thick-walled, they rarely project above the basidia and acanthocystidia. The acanthocystidia are numerous, and have dimensions of 25–30 µm long by 4–5 µm wide. The basidia (spore-bearing cells) are shaped like long clubs, four-spored, and measure 25–30 by 4–5 µm. They are smooth or have a few basal protuberances (acanthobasidia). The spores are short-ellipsoid in shape, thin-walled or with a slight wall thickening, smooth, typically measuring 4.5–5 by 3–3.2 µm. They have a distinct amyloid reaction.

The jack-o'lantern mushroom is so-called because of its bright orange color, and because it often appears in the fall (usually before Halloween, though). This vibrant little mushroom can be found growing on decaying hardwood stumps and logs. The species does have some superficial resemblances to the highly edible chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius), but it is toxic and should be avoided!

A common woodland fungus found across North America, the false turkey-tail thrives in wet environs and can be found in copious quantities on decaying wood. The species is so-called because it looks similar the also-common Turkey Tail (Tremetes versicolor) - both species grow in thin, roughly semi-circular sheets. False turkey-tails have tough, woody bodies and are considered to be inedible.

Oak bracket(Pseudoinonotus dryadeus) is a rather large fungus that acts as a parasite to living or recently deceased oaks. Particularly striking are the amber-colored droplets of liquid this species secretes, which may resemble honey in appearance. If sufficiently mature, the fungus can ring the circumference of an entire oak tree. It is thought to be inedible.

The vividly-colored fruitbodies of cedar-apple rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae) might be mistaken for flowers, from a distance. Upon closer inspection they can be identified as fungal growths attacking the fruit of cedar trees. Their microscopic spores can travel up to an astounding 5 miles when carried on the wind and infect cedars quite far away, weakening the trees as they grow.

Coral tooth fungus (Hericium coralloides) is a species of coral mushroom most frequently sighted on dead or decaying hardwoods. Generally, younger specimens are white and become increasingly yellowish as they mature. Found around the world, the Māori refer to this species as pekepekekiore.

The golden ear can be encountered in an unusual time of the year – winter. It is considered a parasitic fungus, as it tends to grow on the fruiting body of other fungi, particularly the Hairy Curtain Crust (Stereum hirsutum). When wet, the golden ear has a gelatinous structure, but in dry weather, it becomes tougher and crust-like.

The Harzige Lackporling is a console-shaped mushroom that can be 15-35 cm long, 10-20 wide and 4-8 cm thick. The top is colored red or purple-brown. The hat is covered by a pale yellow resin crust, which melts in the match or lighter flame. The beaded rim is fresh yellow to yellow orange, creamy in a dry state. The underside of the mushroom covered with round pores (3 per mm) is young white and later cream colored. The tubes are about 8-10 mm long. The relatively thin trama is light brown and tough cork-like. Juicing occurs when young fruiting bodies are cut, which solidifies into a resinous mass within a short time. The fruiting bodies are annual.