Top 20 Most Common Mushrooms in Santa Cruz

1. Hairy curtain crust

This clustered, overlapping fungus is found all over the world, and is considered native across both the northern and southern hemispheres. Both its common name, hairy curtain crust, and its scientific name, Stereum hirsutum, aptly describe its most obvious features: it is quite tough (stereum) and the younger fruitbodies are notably hairy (hirsutum).

2. 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.

3. Cramp balls

Most commonly found on the surface of dead or dying oak trees, the pathogenic fungus cramp balls(Annulohypoxylon thouarsianum) is seen as an indicator of the health of any individual oak. The rapid proliferation of Sudden Oak Death, a blight increasingly common in the northwestern United States, has led to an increase in appearance of this fungus there.

4. Turkey tail

The distinctively-striped turkey tail fungus grows on stumps and logs all over the forests of the northern hemisphere. It is, in fact, probably the most common species you will find. That doesn't mean this mushroom is plain, however; each cap is uniquely patterned. Look for bands of alternating textures as well as color.

5. Western jack-o'-lantern mushroom

The western jack-o'-lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olivascens) may be the most visually striking mushroom of the forest during day and night. During the day, brilliant large orange flat caps grow from both the ground and decaying stumps. At night, these mushrooms may glow in the dark, depending on location and maturity.

6. Sulphur tuft

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.

7. Redwood rooter

The redwood rooter's unusual name actually says a lot about the species' natural history. "Rooter" refers to one of this mushroom's fascinating traits - a long, taproot-like structure that extends downward from the stalk into the soil it grows out of. "Redwood" refers to the fact that this mushroom usually associates with Redwood trees. As such, the species' range does not extend past redwood country (i.e. Northern California). The species is not known to be edible.

8. Lace lichen

Lace lichen stands out for its net-like, pendulous structure, making it easily distinguishable from others. It's not a mushroom but a lichen, a unique partnership between fungi and algae. Living mainly on oak trees, it's considered a sensitive air quality indicator. Its presence often indicates good air quality, since it's sensitive to pollutants. This lace lichen plays a vital role in its ecosystem, providing shelter and food for numerous species.

9. Death cap

The death cap is responsible for most of the mushroom-related fatalities around the world. Its toxin damages the liver and kidneys, creating symptoms that require hospitalization within hours of ingestion. It looks similar to many other mushrooms at varying stages of its development and has been used in assassinations since the days of the ancient Greeks.

10. Golden milk-cap

Sporting a subdued yellow cap with an indentation in the center, the golden milk-cap is often found growing near oaks. They look similar to other milkcaps and russalas, but can be distinguished by a quirky characteristic: when cut, the species bleeds a thick, milky-white, latex-like substance. Golden milk-caps are not toxic but they are incredibly bitter and so are considered inedible.

11. Blewit

The blewit mushroom grows in fallen leaves in autumn and winter, sometimes appearing in ‘fairy ring’ circles. It can be used to make a green dye when chopped and boiled in an iron pot. The scientific name, Lepista nuda, derives from Latin words meaning “bare goblet,” a reference to the shape and texture of the mushroom.

12. Coccora

Although the coccora is one of the few Amanitas that are considered to be nonpoisonous, it is suggested a "look but don't touch" policy be applied to the entire genus, due to the extreme toxicity of some of its members, like Amanita phalloides (the Death cap). The coccora is reported to feature a distinct fishy smell.

13. Dyer's polypore

This shelf fungus grows annually on living coniferous trees and may kill its host if left untreated. As the name suggests, dyer's polypore can be used to produce dye for yarn in a variety of shades from yellow to orange to brown, depending on the age of the mushroom used and also the type of metal it’s processed in. It is not considered edible.

14. Yellow fieldcap

Yellow fieldcap can be found across Europe and North America, with dung patties or heavily-manured fields being its favorite fruiting habitat. The species sometimes goes by the common name Yellow Fieldcap because its young cap sports a bold yellow or golden hue (that color often fades as the mushroom cap matures and flattens). Yellow fieldcap is not know to be edible.

15. Golden ear

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.

16. Western amethyst laccaria

The western amethyst laccaria is a beautiful species that is a very close cousin of Laccaria amethysteo. Like Laccaria amethysteo, the western amethyst laccaria boasts a cap and stalk that are of lavender or purple. Unlike Laccaria amethysteo, Laccaria amethysteo-occidentalis' range spreads across western North America, and is associated with conifers, rather than hardwoods. The species is considered edible, but not choice.

17. Artists conk

The large, semi-circular caps of the artists conk (Ganoderma brownii) stretch out from the timber of both living and dead trees. Unlike other mushrooms, the pores on their bottom surfaces are so small and tight that these fruitbodies can be utilized by artists as a canvas. Breaking one of these impressive caps off a tree is discouraged, however, as their astoundingly long lifespan is quite unique. If left undisturbed, a single mushroom may remain for multiple decades!

18. 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.

19. Birch mazegill

Birch mazegill(Lenzites betulina) is commonly found on decaying coniferous or deciduous woods. While its natural color is a yellowish brown, it may sometimes appear green due to its propensity to host algae. It is considered to be inedible on account of its tough and leathery texture.

20. Parrot waxcap

This distinctive mushroom is most recognizable when it is young. Freshly-fruited parrot waxcaps boast beautiful caps and stalks that have both the hue and the sheen of polished jade - the gills underneath are often canary yellow, creating a striking and colorful contrast. The species, which is fond of moist grasslands and pastures, can be found across temperate areas of the northern hemisphere, as well as South Africa.

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