Top 20 Most Common Mushrooms in Virginia

The crowded parchment is a common mushroom that can be found on dead hardwood material. The species is so-named because it grows in very thin, sheet-like shelves, which often become folded when they run up against each other. Crowded parchment is usually found in shades of brown, tan, or orange.

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.

Red chanterelles can be found growing within hardwood forests across eastern North America. These small but striking mushrooms range from orange to red to pink in color. Edible and boasting complex flavors, many chanterelles are highly sought after. The red chanterelle, though less famous than some of its close relatives, is no exception. This species can be used in all sorts of recipes, with a vaguely sweet or piney taste.

The false Caesar's mushroom (Amanita parcivolvata) is an almost comical mushroom that looks like something from a cartoon. A brilliant red dome-shaped cap sits on top of a strikingly contrasting-colored stem. This cap also features notable yellow warts, which set it apart from other mushrooms of the same family.

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.

Lumpy bracket grows on most types of hardwood, forming clustered brackets on standing trees or rosette patterns on the tops of stumps. The surface is a very pale color that sometimes appears tinged green when algae colonize the top of the fungus. They can get very large as they remain through the winter and grow for several years.

This inedible shelf or bracket fungus grows in overlapping clusters and layers on hardwood stumps and fallen logs. It also causes a sapwood rot in standing trees. Check under the violet-toothed polypore's cap for its secret lilac-shaded pore surface studded with descending “teeth.”

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.

Witches' butter (Tremella mesenterica) has an irregularly-shaped fruitbody that can be found growing on dead hardwood branches. It has a global distribution, being found in both temperate and tropical forests. Usually yellow in color, its hues may range from subdued lemon to bright canary.

The coral-pink merulius is a distinctive pink mushroom that grows on rotten wood. Interestingly, this mushroom almost always appears together with the False turkey tail (Stereum ostrea). If you spot one of them, the other one is probably somewhere near.