13 Orange Mushrooms You Should Know

Mushrooms come in many different colors. Orange mushrooms are not as common as other colors, but they can be found in certain areas.

Some people believe that orange mushrooms have special properties. Others simply enjoy the color and flavor of these mushrooms. Whether you are looking for a unique ingredient for your next dish or want to try something new, orange mushrooms are worth seeking out.

Edible Orange mushrooms Identification

It is important to be cautious when identifying and consuming wild mushrooms, as some species can be poisonous. If you are unsure whether a mushroom is safe to eat, it is best to err on the side of caution and not consume it.

1. Orange Mycena

Looking for tiny orange mushrooms that you can eat?You can go wrong with our top choice.

Identification:

Orange mycena is a small, delicate looking mushroom. It’s a vibrant orange in color with a thick stem. The cap measures about 2.8 inches in length. Like other bell shaped mushrooms it has gills under the small cap.

Orange mycena is found in damp, shady areas of woods. It tends to grow on decaying logs or fallen leaves.

Orange mycena are edible mushrooms! But I find them flat tasting and most people have said they don’t have a distinctive taste. But if you want to add color to your meal, consider these bright orange mushrooms.

2. Orange Peel Fungus

Found in parts of North America, this edible mushroom grows on the ground. Its a member of the pyronemataceae.

Identification:

The cup-shaped bright orange cup grows up to 3.9 inches wide. Its flesh is thin and crumbles easily. The upper surface is covered with white spore print; they are too small to spot with the naked eyes. They do not have a stipe.

When can you see these orange mushrooms? They can be found from August to November. They taste best when fried in butter.

3. Sulphur Shelf Mushroom

Chicken of the woods, chicken fungus or the Sulphur shelf mushrooms are edible wood mushrooms that are a favorite among foragers.

Identification:

The sulfur shelf mushroom gets its name from its yellow to orange coloration. It grows in dense clusters mostly on oak trees. But you can also check around willows and eucalyptus.

An individual shelf is about 2-10 inches in length. The fruiting body of the sulfur shelf mushroom is flat and has a raised margin. The surface of the fruit body is smooth with small pores that release spores.

Are these orange mushrooms edible? Yes, the chicken of the woods is edible. We recommend you go for young mushrooms. If you are looking for a delicious chicken substitute? You can’ go wrong with this orange yellow mushroom. This mushroom can also be sautéed, grilled, or added to soups and stews.

When can you find them? During spring to early fall.

4. Orange Birch Bolete Mushroom

Found in most states, the orange birch bolete mushroom is an edible mushroom that is part of the delicious bolete family.

Identification:

The mushroom has a distinctively orange-red cap, a blue-green stem, and a spongy white flesh. Its orange cap is about 2 inches for young mushrooms and 5-6 inches for fully grown mushrooms.

The orange birch bolete is found in woods with coniferous trees, such as pines and firs. The mushroom typically grows in summer and fall.

The orange birch bolete mushroom is edible, but should be cooked before eating. When cooked, the mushroom has a slightly sweet taste. The spongy white flesh of the mushroom can be used in soups, stews, or sauces.

Related Read: Learn about the Mushrooms in the State of Ohio

5. Gilded Brittlegill

Ever heard of russula mushrooms? If not, here is a quick low down. Russula mushrooms are a species of edible fungi that is found mostly in Europe. It’s common in Summer to the first days of Autumn.

Identification:

This edible mushroom has a distinctively orange cap and yellow gills. The smooth orange cap is 1.5-3.5 inches in diameter while the stipe grows up to 0.98 inches in width and 3 inches tall. Its flesh is white.

This yellow and orange mushroom can be found growing around oak trees. It is a good choice for beginners who are interested in collecting mushrooms for food.

When cooked, the orange brittlegill has a mild flavor. It can be used in soups or sauteed and served as a side dish.

6. Orange Oak Bolete Mushroom

Closely related to the orange birch bolete above, the orange oak bolete or the Leccinum aurantiacum is a common mushroom in Britain.

Identification:

With its orange cap and stout stem, the orange cap bolete mushroom is a striking member of the bolete family. Stem grows up to 6.5 inches while the cap is about 2.6 inches. Notice, the smooth cap is bell shaped.

When you cut it, you’ll notice its thick white flesh which darkens with time. You can forage for this mushroom species from July through November.

Are they edible? Yes, and note that it becomes darker when cooked.

Whether you’re new to mushroom hunting or an experienced mycologist, the orange cap bolete is a must-try fungi. So head to the woods and see if you can find some of these tasty treasures for yourself.

7. Orange Milkcap Mushrooms

First described in 1801, the orange milkcap mushrooms are another common mushroom of mainland Europe.

Identification:

Orange milkcap mushrooms, also known as Lactarius aurantiacus, are a type of fungi that typically grow in areas with high humidity. These mushrooms are characterized by their orange caps and well-spaced pink gills. When cut or bruised, the orange milkcap mushroom will release a milky white liquid.

Orange milkcap mushrooms are edible, but should be cooked before consumption. These mushrooms can be used in a variety of dishes, such as stews and sauces. When cooking with orange milkcap mushrooms, it is important to remember that they will lose their color when exposed to heat.

8. Orange Oyster Mushrooms

Also known as the mock oyster, the orange oyster mushrooms are found in the Northern Hemisphere from Costa Rica to the North in Alaska.

Identification:

How can you identify them? Orange oyster mushrooms are a type of gilled mushroom that gets its name from its color and shape. The fruit bodies of these mushrooms can be found growing on trees, stumps, and logs. You can find them growing in dense clusters or growing singly on dead trees.

On average the cap grows to 3.9 inches wide. You’ll also notice the crowded thin gills.

Can you eat these oyster mushrooms? Yes, orange oyster mushrooms are classified as edible but they have a very distinctive sulfur smell that puts off a lot of people. It smells like a rotting egg and no one I know wants that for a meal.

9. Golden Trumpet

Often found in wet conifer forests, golden trumpet mushrooms or bell omphalina are bell-shaped mushrooms of North America.

Identification:

Preferring moist environments, this orange fungi has very distinctive features. They have a unique umbrella-like shape and the cap measures 1.9 inches across and stands at 2 inches.

Young mushrooms have the distinctive umbrella shape and as they grow the cap extends upwards, giving it a trumpet shape.

Are they edible? Yes, some people eat golden trumpets. But they have a slightly bitter taste. We recommend you add them to your sauces or soups.

If you’re lucky enough to find some orange mushrooms while out hiking or foraging, you can cook them up and enjoy their unique flavor.

10. Curry Milkcap

Why is it called a curry milkcap? Because of the curry smell and milk-like appearance when torn or cut.

Identification:

Curry milkcaps are divided into three groups; lactarius camphoratus which has a curry odor, L.fragilis and L.rubidus are known for their maple odor.

The lactarius camphoratus has a yellow and orange cap that measures about 2-3 inches in diameter.

They are edible and a great truffle substitute. Dry them, grind and store them in powder form.

Inedible Mushrooms that are Orange

11. Jack O’lantern Mushroom

Mushrooms are a fascinating and diverse group of organisms. One of the most well-known mushrooms is the jack o’lantern mushroom ( scientific name – Omphalotus olearius).

Identification:

This mushroom gets its name from its orange color and its resemblance to chanterelles. The orange cap can measure up to 7.8 inches and stand at about 7 inches.

The cap is smooth and underneath you’ll notice its gills. These orange gilled mushrooms grow around hardwood trees or rotting stumps. Unlike chanterelles, these mushrooms grow in tight clusters; this will help you identify them easily.

12. Orange Webcap Mushrooms

Orange webcap mushrooms are a type of fungi that can be found in North America. They get their name from the orange color of their caps, which can range in size from two to four inches wide.

Identification:

The gills on the underside of the cap are pale yellowish and they release spores that are used for reproduction. Stipe is 2-6 inches in length.

These mushrooms can be found growing on decaying logs or in damp areas of woods. They are often found near conifer trees, as they prefer acidic soil. Orange webcaps are not edible.

13. Orange Fly Agaric Mushrooms

Orange fly agaric mushrooms are a type of fungi that typically grows in damp, shady areas. The fly agaric is the most well-known species of Amanita,

Identification:

They are easily recognized by their bright orange cap with white spots. The cup-shaped cap is covered with white spores. Stipe and flesh is white. Can you eat fly agaric mushrooms? They are non-edible.

Final Thoughts mushrooms that are orange

In conclusion,orange mushrooms are a type of fungi that can be found in many places around the world. They are often found in wooded areas, and their orange color can vary from light to dark. If you go hunting, we recommend you walk with an experienced forager to help you identify edible orange mushrooms. 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omphalotus_illudens

https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/aleuria-aurantia.php

https://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/sep2005.html