Top 20 Edible Mushrooms Popular in Yakima

1. White chanterelle

The white chanterelle differs from other chanterelles by its extremely pale, almost white fruitbody. Due to its well-developed false gills, it can be confused with members of the Clitocybe genus at first glance. But, like all chantarelles and unlike the Clitocybe species, it's almost never attacked by maggots!

2. Toothed jelly fungus

This whimsically-named mushroom has a global distribution and a unique appearance. Toothed jelly fungus has a white, translucent - almost spectral - coloration and sports little downward pointing "teeth" on the underside of its cap. Although its toothed underside may scream "hedgehog mushroom", it is actually a member of a separate genus (Pseudohydnum, as opposed to Hydnum).

3. Questionable stropharia

The questionable stropharia is an odd-looking species that thrives in rich, wet soils along the western coast of North America. The species sports a shiny, yellow-brown cap with a white partial veil that looks almost as though it is dripping off the cap. "Questionable" is a fair title for this species, about which there are conflicting reports on edibility. Most experts recommend staying on the safe side and avoiding eating this mushroom.

4. Yellowfoot

Found in temperate forests, wetlands, and bogs across the northern hemisphere, the yellowfoot is a highly sought after member of the chanterelle family. Considered a choice edible, it boasts a lovely, complex flavor (though it is somewhat less fruity and sweet then some of its more popular cousins). Yellowfoots are sometimes called "winter mushrooms", as they tend to be very late-season fruiters.

5. Bear's head

Bear's head is the most common variety of Hericium. It often grows on conifer logs in North America. The bear's head grows alone and is rather large, ranging from the size of a softball to a soccer ball.

6. Shaggy mane

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.”

7. Pacific golden chanterelle

The pacific golden chanterelle (Cantharellus formosus) is an incredibly dense and meaty mushroom with a cap that resembles a rosette pattern instead of stereotypical dome-shaped caps. The color is an almost iridescent yellow color but may range from warm gold to salmon pink, depending on sun exposure. Highly flavorful, the pacific golden chanterelle has been named the state mushroom of Oregon because of its value and flavor.

8. 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.

9. Western elfin saddle

The western elfin saddle (Helvella vespertina) has a striking, brain-shaped cap that becomes even more fissured as it ages. They appear and flourish amidst the leaf litter on forest floors in the western United States. The shape of the cap makes it a wonderful hiding place for insects, especially millipedes.

10. 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.

11. Yellow coral

In North America, yellow coral grows throughout conifer forests while in the Himalayas it is found in deciduous forests. It's often found in arcing formations and sometimes it even grows in the canopy. The specific epithet, rasilispora, translates roughly to "smooth-worn spore."

12. Cauliflower mushroom

Instantly recognizable and highly sought-after, cauliflower mushroom (Sparassis crispa) forms a distinct-looking fruitbody that can be found across temperate North America and Europe. The species resembles cauliflower in both color and overall shape, although instead of bearing florets, its appendages look more like wavy, partially-cooked pasta.

13. Pig's ears

The pig's ears (Gomphus clavatus) forms unusual-looking fruitbodies. Several mushroom caps develop from a single stem, and often fuse the edges of their caps together. This growth pattern creates a shape reminiscent of the folds of an ear. Unfortunately, it is listed as a threatened species in some parts of the world, due to destruction of old-growth forests.

14. Fat jack

The fat jack is a member of the bolete family that can be found growing underneath Douglas Firs along the western coast of North America. The species' light yellow pore surface turns to brown when damaged or rubbed. Fat jacks also tend to have mild and pleasant, sometimes lemony, odors.

15. Early morel

The early morel can be found in wooded areas of North America, Asia, and Europe. It is called the Early morel because it is one of the first mushrooms to emerge early in spring. It is distinctive for its wrinkled and thimble-like cap.

16. Violet webcap

This absolutely striking mushroom looks like something out of a fairy tale. The entire fruitbody of the violet webcap - cap, stalk, and gills - ranges in color from a light lavender to a very deep purple. The species' caps are bulbous and pockmarked, often appearing velvety. Though a feast for the eyes, this species is usually considered inedible.

17. Sculpted puffball

Sculpted puffball is an eye-catching and unique puffball that appears to have been sculpted with pyramidal warts, giving rise to its name. Sculpted puffball fruits during the late spring/early summer in the soil of conifer forests at altitude. It can be mistaken for the larger C. subsculpta.

18. Spring king bolete

The beautiful spring king bolete is often referred to as the North American relative of Boletus edulis. It occurs in the western mountains, mostly in pine forests. It was once considered a subspecies of Boletus edulis, but it was classified as a new species not long ago.

19. Landscape black morel

Landscape black morel is used in gardens to add texture and visual appeal with its dark-colored honeycombed cylindrical cap. Landscape black morel closely resembles toxic false morels except that it has a single, continuous, and hollow stem.

20. Conifer tuft

As its common name implies, the conifer tuft grows on dead conifers, either singly or in groups. It can be found around the northern hemisphere in the autumn season. Take care to distinguish this species from the highly toxic Sulphur Tuft. Inspect the gills closely; those of the conifer tuft are pale grey, and never green.

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