Top 20 Edible Mushrooms Popular in Moray

1. Golden chanterelle

Golden chanterelle mushrooms are popular in gourmet cuisine across Europe, where they grow wild during the warm (but not too hot) months. Similar species grow in other countries. Extremely popular with foragers, the golden chanterelle emits an apricot-like scent and contains an array of nutrients that benefit the human body. Several studies suggest consuming extremely large amounts may have detrimental effects on the eyes and muscles.

2. Bovine bolete

The bovine bolete (Suillus bovinus) often appears in a three-way relationship not only with the roots of pine trees but also with another parasitic mushroom known as the Rosy Spike. This greasy-capped mushroom appears clustered in tight tufts, which is unusual for a bolete. Bovine boletes give off a faint fruity aroma.

3. Velvet bolete

The velvet bolete is one of the most common mushrooms in pine forests in the northern hemisphere. There have been reports of mild poisoning cases from eating this mushroom, so it is best avoided. The velvet bolete is said to be of poor taste and unpleasant smell, anyway.

4. Blusher

The blusher mushroom is so named because it “blushes” to a pinkish red color when cut or bruised. It is found in many countries around the world, although it may not be native to the southern hemisphere. It contains a hemolytic toxin that can cause anemia if eaten.

5. King bolete

Extremely popular in many cuisines, this edible wild mushroom grows around the world near the roots of forest trees. In some regions, king bolete mushrooms are collected in great enough volumes that their sale can support entire families during the harvest season. King boletes are reported to be high in fiber, vitamins B and C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and several antioxidants.

6. Slippery jack

This mushroom blooms in summer and autumn, usually near or beneath pine trees. It does well in cold climates, but can also be found further south all around the northern hemisphere. During moist weather, the slippery jack's caps become quite slimy, leading to their common name.

7. Lemon waxcap

The lemon waxcap can occur in both woodlands and grasslands. Despite this, it is becoming endangered in central Europe. The specific epithet Hygrocybe translates essentially as 'watery head,' because these mushrooms are typically moist and shiny. Lemon waxcap has been featured on postage stamps from the Faroe Islands.

8. Common laccaria

Common laccaria may sound like a malevolent name for a mushroom, but fret not! This species is so-called because its appearance is highly variable, with individual caps taking on a whole host of colors, from whitish to pinkish to dark brown.

9. Meadow waxcap

The meadow waxcap is a medium-sized, salmon-colored species that can be found in temperate habitats around the world. The species has broad, thick gills and a relatively smooth (and not particularly waxy) cap.

10. Orange birch bolete

You may not be particularly surprised to learn that the orange birch bolete (Leccinum versipelle) is an orange-capped bolete that commonly associates with birch trees. The species has a classic bolete form, boasting a large, bulbous cap, a thick, shaggy stalk, and a sponge-like pore surface. When cut and exposed to air, the flesh of this mushroom will turn blue.

11. Birch milkcap

Birch milkcap (Lactarius tabidus) is named for its preferred tree, the birch, with which it has a symbiotic relationship. The name milkcap refers to the milky sap that this mushroom exudes, although it produces less of this substance than other milkcaps. Birch milkcap thrives in damp, humus-rich, mossy soils.

12. Crimson waxcap

The crimson waxcap (Hygrocybe punicea) is one of the largest of the wax cap mushrooms. They have been called ‘the orchids of the fungi world.’ They present brilliant red-to-yellow shades on both cap and stem. Although they are beautiful, do not try and eat; crimson waxcaps can cause significant stomach distress.

13. Scarlet hood

Scarlet hood(Hygrocybe coccinea) is named for its bright scarlet color, which renders it easy to spot among the grasses and woodlands among which it prefers to grow. Distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, it tends to be small and uncommon, making it of particular interest to photographers.

14. Snowy waxcap

The snowy waxcap is so-named because its stalk, cap, and gills are often uniformly white; however, tinges of tan or peach may occur with age, especially on the center of the cap. The species can be found in temperate grasslands and woodlands across the northern hemisphere, and in some parts of Australia.

15. Humpback brittlegill

Thanks to its dark purple cap, the humpback brittlegill is one of the most recognizable mushrooms. It is quite common and widespread, particularly in temperate climates, where it occurs in coniferous forests. It forms a symbiotic relationship with pine trees.

16. Larch bolete

Larch bolete is a vibrant member of the "slippery jack" genus. Like other members of that family, this species sports a slick or slimy cap and has a somewhat bulbous form. Suillus grevillei is also commonly called a "Larch Bolete" because it only associates with larch trees, with which it has a symbiotic relationship.

17. Scaly tooth

Found in the pine forests of Europe and North America, the scaly tooth has a blue pigment that can be used to dye textiles. This large mushroom got its name, scaly tooth, from its coarse and scaly, brown cap. It has a mealy scent.

18. Brown birch-bolete

The brown birch-bolete is common around the northern hemisphere. It grows beneath birch trees and is usually easy to identify by its brown cap and scaly stem, the latter of which is referenced in its scientific name Leccinum scabrum. Occasionally, however, it can be found sporting a white cap.

19. Common stinkhorn

The common stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus) grows incredibly quickly, sometimes nearing 30 cm in a single afternoon. Their caps are pitted in a way which makes them reminiscent of morels. However, there's little mistaking the common stinkhorn for a morel; the former, in addition to sporting a much longer stalk, has a clear and pungent odor.

20. Copper spike

A European fungus, the copper spike is is visually almost indistinguishable from its North American counterpart - Chroogomphus ochraceus, although molecular studies have shown that these two are different species. Its cap becomes slimy when wet, hence the common name. The cap color is highly variable and it can range from yellowish, to orange, purplish, reddish, and brown.

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