Pennsylvania Fungi 101
by Sydney Hilton, Philadelphia Mycology Club
Welcome to Pennsylvania!
We’re a state that is renowned for beautiful views, and a diverse ecological landscape. Fun fact: the region boasts over 2 million acres of public lands, 29 state parks, and 8 state forests!
Pennsylvania is not only home to the mushroom production capital of the world, Kennett Square; thousands of species of fungi, some of which are still being identified and discovered to this day, can be discovered in this state! You may not even notice them at first, but if you ever happen to glance down and see the vivid yellow of an oyster mushroom, the bone-white of an amanita, or the honeycomb pattern of a stinkhorn– when you start seeing, it’s hard to stop seeing.
But, before we start identifying, we must define. What is a mushroom?
Think of a mushroom as a fruit. The mushroom that you see on the ground is the fruiting body, like an apple on an apple tree. Underneath our feet, the fungi itself is composed of a network of thin filaments known as mycelium. This fine network of fungi is equivalent to the roots of plants; they explore the soil, break down organic matter, secreting enzymes that digest their food source (think: organic materials, living organisms, etcetera).
Why are mushrooms important? Not simply for their edibility and fun colors, fungi are extremely important and vital organisms to the stability of the forest! They can break down leaves, wood, plant and animal material–they’re decomposers, and it’s all thanks to the fungi under your feet that we have healthy, viable soil.
Here’s another common myth you can dispel quickly: It is safe to touch mushrooms. They will not kill you with one touch, no matter what people say. Mushrooms can be found everywhere you look! They’re in forests, grassy areas, mulch beds, potted plants, in the soil, in the water, in the Arctic, and if you’re unlucky enough, sometimes they can even grow in your shower (they do tend to thrive in moist, wet environments. Like your shower.)
Mushrooms are most likely to grow after rain; when you’re taking a walk in the woods, make sure to look for dead trees, and downed logs.
In discussing the biodiversity of Pennsylvania, people may not think of Philadelphia as a hot spot for fungi finds, but you may be surprised at what you can find right under your feet. Whether you’re in Wissahickon, Fairmount, FDR, the Woodlands, or one of the parks around the city, here are some common fungi that you’re likely to find within city limits!
(Keep in mind: If you’re unsure, leave it be! It’s good practice to leave the woods the same way as you found it. Do not pick, pluck or taste, especially within parks around city limits. Philly tends to utilize a lot of pesticides within its parks.)
Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail): Probably one of the most frequently seen bracket fungi in the Philadelphia region. Take one look at this mushroom, and you’ll understand immediately why it is commonly referred to as Turkey Tail! T. versicolor grows in layered “shelves” on dead or decaying hardwood logs or stumps within the local woodland patches of Pennsylvania. It displays bands of color—gray, brown, orange, sometimes greenish with algae, resembling the similar coloration of a turkey (minus the algae green, of course)! It is saprophytic, meaning that the dead wood it grows on is actually its dinner. T. versicolor helps break down hardwood logs, playing a key role in forest nutrient cycling.
Calvatia gigantea (Giant Puffball Mushroom): Within the late summer to early fall season (think, August to October) you may spot one of these giants in the wild. There are many different species of what we know as puffball mushrooms, but one you may be likely to find in the area is the giant puffball! It is a mushroom that can be found in open areas (think meadows, fields, by roads and trails, and within the clearings of local forests). C. gigantea can grow to be the size of a soccer or basketball. I would not recommend trying to play basketball with a puffball (too fragile).
Laetiporus Sulfureus (Chicken of the Woods): The much coveted Chicken of the Woods! This brightly colored bracket fungus usually comes in the colors of orange and yellow, and its vivid colors often make it easy to identify when you know where to look. L. sulfurus shows up on hardwoods, like oak and black cherry trees, and sometimes on stumps. It is often valued by foragers for its savory flavor, but a word of caution. In the forested or suburban wood-lot areas around the greater Philadelphia area, spotting a yellow/orange shelf fungus on a dead oak is not uncommon.
Morchella Americana (Morels): Between the months of April and May in Pennsylvania, you’ll find the much sought after morel mushrooms emerging in hardwood forests, especially near certain trees like elms or ashes, or in disturbed soils. M. Americana are highly prized by foragers, but here goes yet another word of caution: there are poisonous look-alikes (such as false morels), so it’s best to observe these specimens if you’re unsure of how to identify correctly.
If you’re out in the woods, park trails, or even walking city streets and parks, keep an eye out for shelf fungi (or Polypores) on logs and trees, colorful mushroom caps that fruit in spring or fall, or brightly-colored green and blue lichens on tree bark. Even wood-chip beds in yards or on playgrounds, can hold small surprises you wouldn’t expect to find unless you knew to look (and now, you do!)
Happy mushroom observing, folks! If you’re interested in elevating your mushroom hunting experience, keep in touch with the Philadelphia Mycology Club on social media (find us on Instagram, Facebook, or on the web!)