Top 20 Most Common Mushrooms in State College

The common greenshield lichen is a familiar species in temperate forests around the world. It can be found growing on rock outcroppings and trees in a wide variety of habitats. Individuals can grow to be quite large and may be gregarious, forming large mats or sheets on suitable surfaces. Like other lichens, the common greenshield lichen will shrivel and harden when moisture is scarce.

Crown-tipped coral(Artomyces pyxidatus) is a widespread but uncommon species in North America and Western Europe whose Latin name, meaning "box-like," is inspired by its structure. It is one of the few coral fungi to fruit on wood. After a period of absence lasting over a century, it has recently reappeared in Great Britain.

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.

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 platterful mushroom is a large and nondescript mushroom that grows across eastern North America and all the way down into Central America. The species' name comes from its significant cap size - caps also flatten out and become ragged as the mushroom ages, causing them to look even larger. There are conflicting reports about this species' edibility, so it's best to avoid its culinary use.

The funeral bell appears around the northern hemisphere in woody debris as well as on the stumps and logs of hardwoods and conifers. The mushroom is highly toxic and is responsible for at least one recorded death due to its similarity to desirable species.

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.

Cinnabar-red polypore(Pycnoporus cinnabarinus) can be easily spotted on the dead deciduous wood it prefers, thanks to its eponymous red-orange coloring. However, its brightness fades as it matures; older specimens may appear light orange or even peach. Regardless of age, this species is considered inedible.

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.”

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.