www.wvdnr.

gov Fax: (304) 637-0250

(304) 637-0245 Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press.
10M 07/06 Elkins, WV 26241 Arleen R. 2000. North American Boletes.
group status. P.O. Box 67 Bessette, Alan E., Roody, William C., Bessette,
disability, or other protected Natural Resources
national origin or ancestry, University Press.
West Virginia Division of
to sex, race, age, religion, Wildlife Resources North America. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse
to all persons without regard David W. 1997. Mushrooms of Northeastern
employment opportunities Program Bessette, Alan E., Bessette Arleen R., Fischer,
services, programs, and Diversity
to provide its facilities, Publishing.
Division of Natural Resources
Wildlife
North America. Renton, WA: Lone Pine
It is the policy of the
Barron, George. 1999. Mushrooms of Northeast
organizations useful for eastern North America:
Kentucky. The cover photo is a true morel, Morchella esculenta.
Mushroom identification guidebooks and
West Virginia and the Central Appalachians, University Press of
of Natural Resources biologist and author of Mushrooms of
Recommended Resources
All text and photos are by Bill Roody, a West Virginia Division
or Fly Amanita aspect of mushrooms.
Amanita muscaria detailed and comprehensive information on this
See the recommended resources below for more
identification or edibility of wild mushrooms.
the information and illustrations as a guide to
to provide general information only. Do not use
This brochure is intended
www.namyco.org/ poisonous mushroom. identifications.
Gladstone, OR 97027-1032 Deadly Galerina, a very absolutely certain of their
for food should be
6615 Tudor Court
gather wild mushrooms
Judy Roger, Executive Secretary
species. Those who
North American Mycological Association edible from poisonous
University Press of Kentucky. easy tests to distinguish
Virginia and the Central Appalachians. Lexington: are no general rules or
Unfortunately, there
Roody, William C. 2003. Mushrooms of West
dangerously poisonous.
Buffalo NY). a few of which are
Company. (reprinted in 2005 by Firefly Books, occur in West Virginia,
America. Boston, MA: Little, Brown and mushrooms that
Phillips, Roger. 1991. Mushrooms of North number of poisonous
There are also a
Pequot Press.
prized edible mushrooms.
American Mushrooms. Guilford, CT: Globe
in the state, including some of the world’s most

Virginia
Miller, Orson K., Miller, Hope H. 2006. North Several hundred species have been recorded
MA: Houghton Mifflin. the mycoflora of the state is exceptionally rich.
Guide to Mushrooms of North America. Boston, extensive parklands and other natural habitats,
of West
West Virginia is a forested state that also has
McKnight, K.H., McKnight, V.B. 1987. A Field
or another associated with trees. Because
NY: Alfred A. Knopf. environments but the majority are in one way
Macrofungi are present in all terrestrial

Mushrooms
Guide to North American Mushrooms. New York,
Lincoff, G. H. 1981. The Audubon Society Field Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms
WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION
Introduction to Mushrooms When a mushroom spore germinates, it sends forth a
thread-like filament called a hypha (plural hyphae),
To many people, mushrooms are mysterious organ- which in a suitable environment will then branch
isms that seem to appear sporadically without rhyme and expand into a network called mycelium. The
or reason and then disappear in a matter of days or mycelium is normally concealed within soil, leaf
hours. They come in a vast array of colors and bewil- litter, wood or other substrate. The hyphae secrete
dering shapes, and they have no obvious means of digestive enzymes that break down organic matter
reproduction. Some and then absorb the released nutrients. Given a suffi-
are edible, some are cient food resource, a mycelium may live for many
poisonous, and others years, and periodically when conditions of moisture
produce unworldly and temperature are favorable, it will produce spore-
hallucinations when bearing fruiting bodies thus completing its life cycle.
consumed. It is not Some fungi have more complicated life histories but
surprising that pre- most of the macrofungi that we think of as mush-
scientific cultures asso- rooms work in this way.
ciated mushrooms with Larch Bolete
the supernatural. abandoned, these nest cavities are used as homes by
Ecology of Mushrooms and Fungi other birds and animals. Living trees and downed
In times past, the term “mush- logs that become hollow from the action of wood
room” was used to denote Fungi that “feed” on dead organic matter are called
decay fungi provide many years of shelter for wild-
edible stalked mushrooms saprotrophs. These are nature’s pre-eminent recy-
life. In addition, the fruiting bodies of macrofungi
having gills, particularly clers. They decompose plant and animal remains,
are an important food item in the diet of numer-
those in the genus Agaricus. and release their carbon for use by successive genera-
ous insects, mollusks (especially snails) and many
The cultivated white button tions of organisms. These fungi are as essential to
mammals. Deer, squirrels, chipmunks and wood-
mushrooms and portobello mushrooms that are life on earth as air and water. Fungi are the prin-
rats are particularly fond of various mushrooms.
sold in supermarkets are typical examples. Similar cipal decomposers of cellulose and lignin, the basic
species having an umbrella-like form and radiating components of wood. If not for saprotrophic fungi Some macrofungi are parasitic on living plants and
plate-like “gills” beneath the cap were called toad- that continuously recycle the yearly accumulation of animals. Those that cause harm to their hosts are
stools and were considered to be inedible or poison- leaves, fruits, fallen branches and trees, our forests called pathogens. Few of the gilled mushrooms are
ous. More recently those who study these fascinat- would soon become impenetrable. serious pathogens but the common Honey Mush-
ing organisms have adopted a broader definition of room (see illustration) is one that kills trees.
mushrooms. In addition to the familiar gilled mush- Decay fungi also soften the heartwood in trees,
rooms, these include coral mushrooms, polypores, which enables woodpeckers and other cavity nesting Most of the fleshier gilled mushrooms and boletes
boletes, spine fungi, bracket fungi (also known as birds to more easily excavate their nest sites. Once that grow on soil in forests have a relationship with
tree conks), puffballs, morels and others. Together trees that benefits both organisms. In this associa-
these larger fungi are referred to as macrofungi. tion, called mycorrhiza, the fungus mycelium attach-
es to the tree’s roots and permeates into the soil well
All forms of macrofungi have two things in beyond the normal reach of the root system. This
common. They have fruiting bodies large enough to greatly increases the tree’s ability to absorb moisture
be seen without magnification, and their function and essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phos-
is to produce and disseminate reproductive spores. phorus. In return, the tree provides the fungus with
Spores are to fungi what seeds are to green plants, photosynthesized carbohydrates. Occasionally the
but unlike plant seeds, fungus spores are micro- relationship is quite specific where a given species of
scopic and cannot be seen individually by the naked mushroom will only associate with a single species
eye. Fungi also differ from plants in that they lack of tree. For instance, the Larch Bolete (Suillus grevil-
the green pigment chlorophyll that allows plants to lei) will only grow in association with larch trees.
manufacture their own food through the process of Most trees, however, have multiple fungus partners,
photosynthesis. Fungi must obtain their food from and many mushrooms form mycorrhiza with several
pre-existing living or dead organic matter. Oyster Mushrooms on a log. kinds of trees.
West Virginia’s Diverse Mushrooms and Macrofungi
Leatherback Milkcap Satyr’s Beard (Hericium erinaceum)
(Lactarius volemus) Satyr’s Beard is as distinctive as it is beau-
Gilled mushrooms make up the larg- tiful. It belongs to a group of macrofungi
est and most familiar group of macro- that produce spores on pendent spines or
fungi. Members of the genus Lactarius teeth. The Satyr’s Beard forms a dense,
are called “milk mushrooms” because more or less roundish mass of whitish
they exude white, clear, or colored hanging spines on living trees, sometimes
droplets (called latex) from the cut or high up and out of reach. It is easily recog-
broken flesh. They include both edible nized, and when young and tender, it is a
and poisonous species. The Leather- very good edible.
back Milkcap, also known as Bradley,
Cultivated varieties are called Monkey-
is a popular edible mushroom. It is
head or Lion’s Mane Mushroom. In a
recognized by its brownish orange cap,
natural environment, the Satyr’s Beard causes heartwood decay of living trees but
pronounced fishy odor, and flesh that “leaks” abundant mild-tasting white latex
can also be found occasionally on cut stumps. It most often grows on oak, but also
that quickly stains broken tissue (and fingers) dark brown. The Leatherback Milk-
occurs on beech and other broadleaf trees.
cap forms mycorrhiza with oaks and other broadleaf trees.

Honey Mushroom (Armillaria mellea) Purple Coral Mushroom (Clavaria

Honey mushrooms are one of the few gilled mush- zollingeri)
rooms that are harmful to trees. This fungus often The coral mushrooms are among the most
becomes established as a saprotroph on decaying tree alluring forms of macrofungi. They exhibit
stumps. It then spreads to the roots of nearby living a wide range of colors and many resemble
trees by underground runners called rhizomorphs, marine corals. Most grow on the ground and
and eventually kills the newly infected tree. A form mycorrhiza with trees, but a few are
network of the black cord-like rhizomorphs can often saprotrophs that live on decaying wood. Coral
be seen beneath the loose bark of the dead or dying mushrooms may be simple finger or club-
trees. Some foresters know this as the “bootlace shaped, or they can be extensively branched
fungus.” Honey mushrooms often grow in dense clus- and shrub-like. The spores are formed on the
ters. They are edible only when thoroughly cooked, uppermost part of the clubs or erect branches.
but care must be taken not to confuse them with the Although some coral mushrooms are edible,
dangerously poisonous Deadly Galerina (Galerina others are known to be poisonous. Because they are notoriously difficult to distin-
autumnalis), a similar species that can inhabit the guish in the field, none can be recommended for eating. The Purple Coral is a
same woody substrate. distinctive member of this group.

Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera) Gem-studded Puffball

This common gilled mushroom forms mycorrhiza (Lycoperdon perlatum)
with broadleaf trees, especially oak. Amanita virosa Puffballs and their relatives (earth-
and Amanita verna differ microscopically, but are stars, bird’s nest fungi, and stink-
otherwise nearly identical. Together they form horns) are referred to as gasteromy-
a “species complex” of highly toxic mushrooms cetes or “stomach fungi.” They differ
that if eaten will damage the liver and kidneys. from other macrofungi in that their
Members of this group are responsible for most spores develop and ripen within an
mushroom-related fatalities in North America. enclosed fruitbody, and then by vari-
All parts of the Destroying Angel are white. The ous means, expose the mature spores
stalk rises from a sac-like base that is often buried to the elements. The Gem-studded Puffball forms a small pore-like opening at
and not obvious. Every mushroom hunter should the top of the pear-shaped fruitbody through which the spores are expelled when
learn to recognize the Destroying Angel and its raindrops land on it (like a bellows). Other puffballs, such as the Giant Puffball
close relatives. (Calvatia gigantea), so called because it can grow up to 2 feet across, release their
spores as the entire outer wall decomposes. The Gem-studded Puffball is about the
Frost’s Bolete (Boletus frostii) size of a golf ball. It typically grows in small clusters in woods, pastures or other
grassy areas. Most puffballs are edible when immature and completely white on the
Boletes are similar in stature to many gilled inside, but inexperienced collectors could confuse edible puffballs with poisonous
mushrooms but they have a sponge-like layer “earthballs,” which are in the genus Scleroderma.
of tubes beneath the cap rather than gills.
The spores are produced on the inner walls
of the tubes. When mature, the spores fall Scarlet Cup (Sarcoscypha austriaca)
through the tube openings (pores) and are Cup fungi are so named because of their cup or
carried by wind currents to new locations. saucer shape. Their spores are formed on the inner
There are nearly 100 species of boletes known surface of the cup, which is actually composed of a
to occur in West Virginia. Most of these layer of spore-bearing cells, each of which usually
form mycorrhiza with trees. Many boletes contains eight spores. Sometimes when cup fungi
bruise or stain blue when handled or if the are handled or blown on, these cells “explode” in
flesh is cut. Contrary to popular belief, the blue staining is not an indication of unison and shoot out a cloud of spores that is easily
toxicity and cannot be used to distinguish edible from poisonous species. With its observed and can sometimes even be heard as a soft
candy-apple colored cap and deeply netted red stalk, Frost’s Bolete is surely one of hiss. The rich red Scarlet Cup is one of the first
the most beautiful boletes in our woods. It forms mycorrhiza with various oaks. conspicuous macrofungi to appear in early spring.
Although related to morels, it is not edible.

Sulphur Shelf (Laetiporus

sulphureus) Conifer False Morel (Gyromitra
The Sulphur Shelf, also known as esculenta)
Chicken of the Woods, belongs False morels appear in early spring about
to a diverse group of macrofun- the same time as true morels. Mushroom
gi called polypores. They are hunters should learn to recognize the
somewhat like boletes in that the difference between true morels, which
underside is made up of a layer are edible and false morels, which are
of tubes in which the spores are poisonous. Although some people can eat
produced. Polypores are sapro- false morels with impunity, they contain
trophs or parasites that grow on dangerous toxins and have been known to
wood. Many, such as the Sulphur Shelf, do not have a stalk but are shelf or bracket- cause fatalities. The caps of typical false
shaped and grow in clusters on standing or fallen trees, or stumps. The Sulphur morels have convoluted brain-like lobes, and the interior of the stalk is chambered.
Shelf is easily recognized by its bright orange caps and sulphur yellow underside. The caps of true morels (see cover) are composed of pits that are separated by
The closely related White-pored Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus cincinnatus) is distinct ridges, and they have hollow stalks. The Conifer False Morel is most often
similar but has a white to buff-colored pore surface on the underside, and it usually found beneath white pine (Pinus strobus).
grows in the form of a rosette at the base of trees and stumps. Both species are
good edibles when young and tender. However, some people are allergic to them,
especially when consumed at the same meal with alcohol. Witches’ Butter
(Tremella mesenterica)
As a group the jelly fungi are easy to
Tinder Polypore (Fomes fomentarius) recognize in the field. With few excep-
Unlike the Sulphur Shelf, the fruiting body of the tions, their fruiting bodies are soft, gelati-
Tinder Polypore is perennial and can be found at nous or rubbery. Witches’ Butter is one
any time of year. This wood decay fungus usually of the more conspicuous jelly fungi. It is
infects trees that are already weakened from other especially noticeable in wet weather early
causes, especially birch and beech. It produces in the season. Its spores are formed on
hard, durable hoof-shaped fruitbodies that increase the surface of yellow lobes that appear
in size each year as a fresh fertile layer of tubes on on small branches of broadleaf trees.
the underside is added. The common name Tinder Although edible, Witches’ Butter is 90
Polypore is derived from its use as punk to catch a percent water and has little substance or
spark and to transport a smoldering ember for prim- flavor.
itive fire making.