Top 20 Most Common Mushrooms in Bella Vista

1. Lion's Mane Mushroom

Lion's Mane Mushroom(Hericium erinaceus) is easily identifiable by its characteristic appearance, reminiscent of the majestic mane of a lion. It often sprouts along hardwoods, which may be living or dead. Scientists thus debate whether this species is truly parasitic or merely saprophytic in nature.

2. Devil's urn

The devil's urn (Urnula craterium) is a black or brown cup-shaped fungus. The species' tough, cracked outer layer and dark coloration may give it a scorched appearance. Devil's urns tend to grow in clusters and are usually found adorning fallen branches and rotting logs. Though the species is not edible itself, gatherers keep an eye out for it, as it usually fruits at about the same time as morels.

3. Pear-shaped puffball

The mushrooms of this species grow in such tight clusters that they may cover fallen trees and stumps almost entirely in a brownish, puffy coat. Pear-shaped puffballs appear all around the northern hemisphere on decaying hardwoods from fall through winter.

4. Dryad's saddle

A familiar sight to spring morel hunters, dryad's saddle is noteworthy for its large size, striking scales, and watermelon-like smell. Similar to other mushrooms in the bracket fungi family, dryad's saddle can be used to make paper. Younger mushrooms are better suited for this purpose due to their smaller and more consistent fibers.

5. Cedar-apple rust

The vividly-colored fruitbodies of cedar-apple rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae) might be mistaken for flowers, from a distance. Upon closer inspection they can be identified as fungal growths attacking the fruit of cedar trees. Their microscopic spores can travel up to an astounding 5 miles when carried on the wind and infect cedars quite far away, weakening the trees as they grow.

6. 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.

7. Gold-eye lichen

The almost indistinguishable species is a gray-yellow or light to orange-orange, bush-shaped camp with marginal fibrils. However, adhesive fibers are missing. The length of the slightly flattened sections is about 1.5 cm. The frequently formed fruiting bodies (apothecaries) have an orange disc with characteristic eyelashes on the edge and a diameter of 2 to 7 mm. The Photobiont is a member of the green algae genus Trebouxia.

8. Chicken of the woods

Chicken of the woods is very noticeable in hardwood forests, appearing in clusters on standing tree trunks in bright orange and yellow hues that sometimes last through the entire winter. It is a parasite that causes an unfortunate brown heart rot, and is considered a particularly troublesome pest of Yew trees. If the fruitbodies can be seen, the tree is likely already beyond saving.

9. Honey fungus

The honey fungus is a parasitic fungus that grows on the roots of many woody and perennial plants, damaging and possibly killing its host. It spreads underground and is considered to be the most damaging fungal disease in gardens across the UK. The appearance of the mushrooms above-ground heralds a much more extensive infection below.

10. 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.

11. Little nest polypore

Little nest polypore can grow in the form of either shelf- or cup-shaped structures. The cup-like shapes help the fungus shed spores whenever it is hit and shaken by raindrops. Though the fungus itself will readily survive the winter, the more fragile cup and shelf structures typically get eaten by insect larvae before the new season.

12. White morel

The odd-looking cap of the white morel (Morchella americana) is surprisingly nutritious, making it a highly sought-after mushroom for foragers. When sold on the market, they are a seasonal treat that carries a very high price tag! Unlike other mushrooms, the white morel will thrive in little to no shade. They can range from a honey-blonde color to an unattractive grey.

13. White jelly fungus

Unlike other jelly mushrooms, which are typically found on fresh deadwood, white jelly fungus grows on well-decayed wood from hardwood trees. Its fruiting body is indeed white, fading to muted brown hues with age. Its shape has garnered a wide range of comparisons, from brains to popcorn to coral.

14. Coral-pink merulius

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.

15. Elegant stinkhorn

The elegant stinkhorn has a distinctive appearance and smell, hence the name "stinkhorn". The spores of this odd-looking mushroom must be dispersed by insects, particularly flies. The mushroom produces its odorous, spore-thick slime in order to attract these insects and attach its spores to their bodies.

16. Coral tooth fungus

Coral tooth fungus (Hericium coralloides) is a species of coral mushroom most frequently sighted on dead or decaying hardwoods. Generally, younger specimens are white and become increasingly yellowish as they mature. Found around the world, the Māori refer to this species as pekepekekiore.

17. False turkey-tail

A common woodland fungus found across North America, the false turkey-tail thrives in wet environs and can be found in copious quantities on decaying wood. The species is so-called because it looks similar the also-common Turkey Tail (Tremetes versicolor) - both species grow in thin, roughly semi-circular sheets. False turkey-tails have tough, woody bodies and are considered to be inedible.

18. Witches' butter

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.

19. Peeling puffball

It is easy to spot as it resembles a puffball but has spines that gradually peel off as it ages. This appearance gave this mushroom its common name "peeling puffball." peeling puffball thrives underneath deciduous and conifer trees, getting its nutrients from decaying plant matter.

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