Calendar

What to gather and when

Pick a time of year — see which mushrooms grow then, which are edible, and which must be avoided. Dates are a guide for the temperate belt: a warm, wet year shifts everything by 2–3 weeks. The catalog is being translated; species currently available in English appear here automatically.

Spring March — May

A quiet season. The main find is morels right after the snow melts — and poisonous false morels grow right beside them.

Edible 8

Enoki (velvet shank) Flammulina velutipes Late autumn–winter, to early spring Fairy ring mushroom (scotch bonnet) Marasmius oreades May–October Pine bolete Boletus pinophilus May–October, the first of the porcini group Shaggy inkcap (lawyer's wig) Coprinus comatus June–October St George's mushroom Calocybe gambosa April–June Summer bolete (early porcini) Boletus reticulatus May–September Summer honey fungus (two-toned pholiota) Kuehneromyces mutabilis May–October Wood ear (Judas' ear) Auricularia auricula-judae Year-round, peak in autumn and winter

Conditionally edible requires processing: boiling, soaking, salting 4

Common inkcap Coprinopsis atramentaria May–October Early morel (Verpa bohemica) Verpa bohemica April–May Morel (yellow morel) Morchella esculenta April–May Sulphur shelf (chicken of the woods) Laetiporus sulphureus May–October

Medicinal 2

Birch polypore (Ötzi's mushroom) Fomitopsis betulina August–October, persisting into winter Chinese caterpillar fungus (yartsa gunbu) Ophiocordyceps sinensis May–July

Dangerous — do not pick 3

These mushrooms grow at the same time and in the same places. Some are deadly and cooking does not help.

Deadly fibercap (blushing fibercap) Inocybe erubescens May–September False morel Gyromitra esculenta April–May, spring Sulphur tuft Hypholoma fasciculare May–November

Early summer June

The season gains momentum: first boletes, chanterelles and porcini appear after warm rains.

Edible 18

Bay bolete ('Polish mushroom') Imleria badia July–October Bovine bolete (Jersey cow mushroom) Suillus bovinus July–October Brown birch bolete Leccinum scabrum June–October Butter bolete (grainy-stemmed) Butyriboletus appendiculatus June–September Chanterelle (golden chanterelle) Cantharellus cibarius June–October Fairy ring mushroom (scotch bonnet) Marasmius oreades May–October Giant puffball Calvatia gigantea August–October Green cracking bolete (suede bolete) Xerocomus subtomentosus June–October Parasol mushroom Macrolepiota procera June–October Pine bolete Boletus pinophilus May–October, the first of the porcini group Porcini (king bolete) Boletus edulis June–October Red-capped scaber stalk (aspen bolete) Leccinum aurantiacum June–October Shaggy inkcap (lawyer's wig) Coprinus comatus June–October Slippery jacks (Suillus) Suillus June–October St George's mushroom Calocybe gambosa April–June Summer bolete (early porcini) Boletus reticulatus May–September Summer honey fungus (two-toned pholiota) Kuehneromyces mutabilis May–October Weeping bolete (grainy suillus) Suillus granulatus May–November

Conditionally edible requires processing: boiling, soaking, salting 6

Common inkcap Coprinopsis atramentaria May–October Lurid bolete Suillellus luridus June–October Puffball (Lycoperdon group) Lycoperdon July–October Sulphur shelf (chicken of the woods) Laetiporus sulphureus May–October The blusher (amanita rubescens) Amanita rubescens June–October Woolly milkcap (pink fringe) Lactarius torminosus June–October

Medicinal 2

Birch polypore (Ötzi's mushroom) Fomitopsis betulina August–October, persisting into winter Chinese caterpillar fungus (yartsa gunbu) Ophiocordyceps sinensis May–July

Dangerous — do not pick 7

These mushrooms grow at the same time and in the same places. Some are deadly and cooking does not help.

Bitter bolete (bilious bolete) Tylopilus felleus June–October Deadly fibercap (blushing fibercap) Inocybe erubescens May–September False morel Gyromitra esculenta April–May, spring Funeral bell (deadly galerina) Galerina marginata August–November, the same time as honey fungi Livid entoloma Entoloma sinuatum May–October Sulphur tuft Hypholoma fasciculare May–November Yellow-staining mushroom Agaricus xanthodermus June–October

Mid summer July

Variety widens: saffron milkcaps and milkcaps join the main species. The first dangerous lookalikes appear — check the stem base carefully.

Edible 26

Bay bolete ('Polish mushroom') Imleria badia July–October Beefsteak fungus Fistulina hepatica August–October Bovine bolete (Jersey cow mushroom) Suillus bovinus July–October Brown birch bolete Leccinum scabrum June–October Butter bolete (grainy-stemmed) Butyriboletus appendiculatus June–September Button mushroom (cultivated agaricus) Agaricus bisporus Year-round in culture Caesar's mushroom Amanita caesarea June–October Chanterelle (golden chanterelle) Cantharellus cibarius June–October Fairy ring mushroom (scotch bonnet) Marasmius oreades May–October Field mushroom (meadow agaricus) Agaricus campestris May–October Giant puffball Calvatia gigantea August–October Green cracking bolete (suede bolete) Xerocomus subtomentosus June–October Horn of plenty (black chanterelle) Craterellus cornucopioides July–October Parasol mushroom Macrolepiota procera June–October Pear-shaped puffball Lycoperdon pyriforme July–November Pine bolete Boletus pinophilus May–October, the first of the porcini group Porcini (king bolete) Boletus edulis June–October Red-capped scaber stalk (aspen bolete) Leccinum aurantiacum June–October Saffron milkcap Lactarius deliciosus June–October Shaggy inkcap (lawyer's wig) Coprinus comatus June–October Slippery jacks (Suillus) Suillus June–October Summer bolete (early porcini) Boletus reticulatus May–September Summer honey fungus (two-toned pholiota) Kuehneromyces mutabilis May–October The deceiver (pink laccaria) Laccaria laccata June–November The flirt (russula vesca) Russula vesca June–October Weeping bolete (grainy suillus) Suillus granulatus May–November

Conditionally edible requires processing: boiling, soaking, salting 16

Common inkcap Coprinopsis atramentaria May–October Common stinkhorn Phallus impudicus July–October Fleecy milkcap Lactarius vellereus July–October Green russula (green-cracking) Russula aeruginea July–October Lurid bolete Suillellus luridus June–October Milk-white brittlegill Russula delica July–October Peppery milkcap Lactarius piperatus July–October Puffball (Lycoperdon group) Lycoperdon July–October Rufous milkcap Lactarius rufus July–October Silky volvariella Volvariella bombycina July–September Stinking russula Russula foetens July–October Sulphur shelf (chicken of the woods) Laetiporus sulphureus May–October The blusher (amanita rubescens) Amanita rubescens June–October True milkcap (white milk-cap) Lactarius resimus July–September Woolly milkcap (pink fringe) Lactarius torminosus June–October Yellow milkcap (podskryobnik) Lactarius scrobiculatus July–October

Medicinal 2

Birch polypore (Ötzi's mushroom) Fomitopsis betulina August–October, persisting into winter Cordyceps militaris Cordyceps militaris Year-round in culture

Dangerous — do not pick 16

These mushrooms grow at the same time and in the same places. Some are deadly and cooking does not help.

Bitter bolete (bilious bolete) Tylopilus felleus June–October Brown roll-rim Paxillus involutus July–October Common earthball (false puffball) Scleroderma citrinum July–November Deadly fibercap (blushing fibercap) Inocybe erubescens May–September False chanterelle Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca July–November Fly agaric Amanita muscaria July–October Fool's funnel (bleached funnel) Clitocybe rivulosa June–October Funeral bell (deadly galerina) Galerina marginata August–November, the same time as honey fungi Livid entoloma Entoloma sinuatum May–October Panther cap Amanita pantherina July–October Satan's bolete Rubroboletus satanas June–October Spectacular rustgill (Gymnopilus junonius) Gymnopilus junonius July–November Sulphur tuft Hypholoma fasciculare May–November The sickener (vomiting russula) Russula emetica Summer–autumn Yellow-staining / lemon amanita (Amanita citrina) Amanita citrina July–October Yellow-staining mushroom Agaricus xanthodermus June–October

Late summer August

Peak season — and peak risk: death caps and destroying angels fruit now, easily confused with field mushrooms and parasols. Honey fungi begin.

Edible 32

Bay bolete ('Polish mushroom') Imleria badia July–October Beefsteak fungus Fistulina hepatica August–October Bovine bolete (Jersey cow mushroom) Suillus bovinus July–October Brown birch bolete Leccinum scabrum June–October Butter bolete (grainy-stemmed) Butyriboletus appendiculatus June–September Button mushroom (cultivated agaricus) Agaricus bisporus Year-round in culture Caesar's mushroom Amanita caesarea June–October Cauliflower fungus Sparassis crispa August–October Chanterelle (golden chanterelle) Cantharellus cibarius June–October Conifer tuft (gray-gilled false honey fungus) Hypholoma capnoides August–November Fairy ring mushroom (scotch bonnet) Marasmius oreades May–October Field mushroom (meadow agaricus) Agaricus campestris May–October Giant puffball Calvatia gigantea August–October Green cracking bolete (suede bolete) Xerocomus subtomentosus June–October Horn of plenty (black chanterelle) Craterellus cornucopioides July–October Maitake (hen of the woods) Grifola frondosa August–October Parasol mushroom Macrolepiota procera June–October Pear-shaped puffball Lycoperdon pyriforme July–November Pine bolete Boletus pinophilus May–October, the first of the porcini group Porcini (king bolete) Boletus edulis June–October Red-capped scaber stalk (aspen bolete) Leccinum aurantiacum June–October Saffron milkcap Lactarius deliciosus June–October Shaggy inkcap (lawyer's wig) Coprinus comatus June–October Slippery jacks (Suillus) Suillus June–October Summer bolete (early porcini) Boletus reticulatus May–September Summer honey fungus (two-toned pholiota) Kuehneromyces mutabilis May–October Summer truffle Tuber aestivum June–November The deceiver (pink laccaria) Laccaria laccata June–November The flirt (russula vesca) Russula vesca June–October The miller (purple-stalked webcap) Cortinarius caperatus June–October Weeping bolete (grainy suillus) Suillus granulatus May–November Winter chanterelle (yellowfoot) Craterellus tubaeformis August–November, to the frosts

Conditionally edible requires processing: boiling, soaking, salting 18

Autumn honey fungus Armillaria mellea August–November Common inkcap Coprinopsis atramentaria May–October Common stinkhorn Phallus impudicus July–October Fleecy milkcap Lactarius vellereus July–October Golden scalycap Pholiota aurivella August–October Green russula (green-cracking) Russula aeruginea July–October Lurid bolete Suillellus luridus June–October Milk-white brittlegill Russula delica July–October Peppery milkcap Lactarius piperatus July–October Puffball (Lycoperdon group) Lycoperdon July–October Rufous milkcap Lactarius rufus July–October Silky volvariella Volvariella bombycina July–September Stinking russula Russula foetens July–October Sulphur shelf (chicken of the woods) Laetiporus sulphureus May–October The blusher (amanita rubescens) Amanita rubescens June–October True milkcap (white milk-cap) Lactarius resimus July–September Woolly milkcap (pink fringe) Lactarius torminosus June–October Yellow milkcap (podskryobnik) Lactarius scrobiculatus July–October

Medicinal 3

Birch polypore (Ötzi's mushroom) Fomitopsis betulina August–October, persisting into winter Cordyceps militaris Cordyceps militaris Year-round in culture Lion's mane Hericium erinaceus Late summer–autumn; year-round in culture

Dangerous — do not pick 23

These mushrooms grow at the same time and in the same places. Some are deadly and cooking does not help.

Bitter bolete (bilious bolete) Tylopilus felleus June–October Brown roll-rim Paxillus involutus July–October Common earthball (false puffball) Scleroderma citrinum July–November Common scalycap Pholiota squarrosa May–November Deadly fibercap (blushing fibercap) Inocybe erubescens May–September Death cap Amanita phalloides Late summer to autumn, usually August–October False chanterelle Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca July–November Fatal dapperling Lepiota brunneoincarnata July–October Fly agaric Amanita muscaria July–October Fool's funnel (bleached funnel) Clitocybe rivulosa June–October Fool's webcap Cortinarius orellanus July–October Funeral bell (deadly galerina) Galerina marginata August–November, the same time as honey fungi Livid entoloma Entoloma sinuatum May–October Panther cap Amanita pantherina July–October Poison pie (crusted hebeloma) Hebeloma crustuliniforme July–October Satan's bolete Rubroboletus satanas June–October Spectacular rustgill (Gymnopilus junonius) Gymnopilus junonius July–November Stinking amanita (destroying angel group) Amanita virosa July–October Sulphur tuft Hypholoma fasciculare May–November The sickener (vomiting russula) Russula emetica Summer–autumn Tiger tricholoma (tiger sawgill) Tricholoma pardinum August–October Yellow-staining / lemon amanita (Amanita citrina) Amanita citrina July–October Yellow-staining mushroom Agaricus xanthodermus June–October

Early autumn September

Prime time for honey fungi. Their deadly lookalikes must be known by heart (see the funeral bell).

Edible 36

Bay bolete ('Polish mushroom') Imleria badia July–October Beefsteak fungus Fistulina hepatica August–October Black poplar mushroom (pioppino) Cyclocybe aegerita July–October Bovine bolete (Jersey cow mushroom) Suillus bovinus July–October Brown birch bolete Leccinum scabrum June–October Butter bolete (grainy-stemmed) Butyriboletus appendiculatus June–September Button mushroom (cultivated agaricus) Agaricus bisporus Year-round in culture Caesar's mushroom Amanita caesarea June–October Cauliflower fungus Sparassis crispa August–October Chanterelle (golden chanterelle) Cantharellus cibarius June–October Conifer tuft (gray-gilled false honey fungus) Hypholoma capnoides August–November Fairy ring mushroom (scotch bonnet) Marasmius oreades May–October Field mushroom (meadow agaricus) Agaricus campestris May–October Giant puffball Calvatia gigantea August–October Green cracking bolete (suede bolete) Xerocomus subtomentosus June–October Grey tricholoma Tricholoma portentosum August–November Horn of plenty (black chanterelle) Craterellus cornucopioides July–October Maitake (hen of the woods) Grifola frondosa August–October Oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus September–December; in mild winters to spring Parasol mushroom Macrolepiota procera June–October Pear-shaped puffball Lycoperdon pyriforme July–November Pine bolete Boletus pinophilus May–October, the first of the porcini group Porcini (king bolete) Boletus edulis June–October Red-capped scaber stalk (aspen bolete) Leccinum aurantiacum June–October Saffron milkcap Lactarius deliciosus June–October Shaggy inkcap (lawyer's wig) Coprinus comatus June–October Slippery jacks (Suillus) Suillus June–October Summer bolete (early porcini) Boletus reticulatus May–September Summer honey fungus (two-toned pholiota) Kuehneromyces mutabilis May–October Summer truffle Tuber aestivum June–November The deceiver (pink laccaria) Laccaria laccata June–November The flirt (russula vesca) Russula vesca June–October The miller (purple-stalked webcap) Cortinarius caperatus June–October Weeping bolete (grainy suillus) Suillus granulatus May–November Winter chanterelle (yellowfoot) Craterellus tubaeformis August–November, to the frosts Wood ear (Judas' ear) Auricularia auricula-judae Year-round, peak in autumn and winter

Conditionally edible requires processing: boiling, soaking, salting 20

Autumn honey fungus Armillaria mellea August–November Brick cap (false honey fungus) Hypholoma sublateritium August–November Common inkcap Coprinopsis atramentaria May–October Common stinkhorn Phallus impudicus July–October Fleecy milkcap Lactarius vellereus July–October Golden scalycap Pholiota aurivella August–October Green russula (green-cracking) Russula aeruginea July–October Lurid bolete Suillellus luridus June–October Milk-white brittlegill Russula delica July–October Peppery milkcap Lactarius piperatus July–October Puffball (Lycoperdon group) Lycoperdon July–October Rufous milkcap Lactarius rufus July–October Silky volvariella Volvariella bombycina July–September Stinking russula Russula foetens July–October Sulphur shelf (chicken of the woods) Laetiporus sulphureus May–October The blusher (amanita rubescens) Amanita rubescens June–October True milkcap (white milk-cap) Lactarius resimus July–September Wood blewit Lepista nuda September–November Woolly milkcap (pink fringe) Lactarius torminosus June–October Yellow milkcap (podskryobnik) Lactarius scrobiculatus July–October

Medicinal 3

Birch polypore (Ötzi's mushroom) Fomitopsis betulina August–October, persisting into winter Cordyceps militaris Cordyceps militaris Year-round in culture Lion's mane Hericium erinaceus Late summer–autumn; year-round in culture

Dangerous — do not pick 25

These mushrooms grow at the same time and in the same places. Some are deadly and cooking does not help.

Bitter bolete (bilious bolete) Tylopilus felleus June–October Brown roll-rim Paxillus involutus July–October Common earthball (false puffball) Scleroderma citrinum July–November Common scalycap Pholiota squarrosa May–November Deadly fibercap (blushing fibercap) Inocybe erubescens May–September Death cap Amanita phalloides Late summer to autumn, usually August–October False chanterelle Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca July–November Fatal dapperling Lepiota brunneoincarnata July–October Fly agaric Amanita muscaria July–October Fool's funnel (bleached funnel) Clitocybe rivulosa June–October Fool's webcap Cortinarius orellanus July–October Funeral bell (deadly galerina) Galerina marginata August–November, the same time as honey fungi Jack-o'-lantern (olive omphalotus) Omphalotus olearius Summer–autumn Livid entoloma Entoloma sinuatum May–October Man on horseback (yellow knight) Tricholoma equestre September–November Panther cap Amanita pantherina July–October Poison pie (crusted hebeloma) Hebeloma crustuliniforme July–October Satan's bolete Rubroboletus satanas June–October Spectacular rustgill (Gymnopilus junonius) Gymnopilus junonius July–November Stinking amanita (destroying angel group) Amanita virosa July–October Sulphur tuft Hypholoma fasciculare May–November The sickener (vomiting russula) Russula emetica Summer–autumn Tiger tricholoma (tiger sawgill) Tricholoma pardinum August–October Yellow-staining / lemon amanita (Amanita citrina) Amanita citrina July–October Yellow-staining mushroom Agaricus xanthodermus June–October

Late autumn October — November

The season winds down: oyster mushrooms, blewits, late honey fungi remain. Many mushrooms turn soft and unusable after frosts.

Edible 35

Bay bolete ('Polish mushroom') Imleria badia July–October Beefsteak fungus Fistulina hepatica August–October Black poplar mushroom (pioppino) Cyclocybe aegerita July–October Bovine bolete (Jersey cow mushroom) Suillus bovinus July–October Brown birch bolete Leccinum scabrum June–October Button mushroom (cultivated agaricus) Agaricus bisporus Year-round in culture Caesar's mushroom Amanita caesarea June–October Cauliflower fungus Sparassis crispa August–October Chanterelle (golden chanterelle) Cantharellus cibarius June–October Conifer tuft (gray-gilled false honey fungus) Hypholoma capnoides August–November Enoki (velvet shank) Flammulina velutipes Late autumn–winter, to early spring Fairy ring mushroom (scotch bonnet) Marasmius oreades May–October Field mushroom (meadow agaricus) Agaricus campestris May–October Giant puffball Calvatia gigantea August–October Green cracking bolete (suede bolete) Xerocomus subtomentosus June–October Grey tricholoma Tricholoma portentosum August–November Horn of plenty (black chanterelle) Craterellus cornucopioides July–October Maitake (hen of the woods) Grifola frondosa August–October Oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus September–December; in mild winters to spring Parasol mushroom Macrolepiota procera June–October Pear-shaped puffball Lycoperdon pyriforme July–November Pine bolete Boletus pinophilus May–October, the first of the porcini group Porcini (king bolete) Boletus edulis June–October Red-capped scaber stalk (aspen bolete) Leccinum aurantiacum June–October Saffron milkcap Lactarius deliciosus June–October Shaggy inkcap (lawyer's wig) Coprinus comatus June–October Slippery jacks (Suillus) Suillus June–October Summer honey fungus (two-toned pholiota) Kuehneromyces mutabilis May–October Summer truffle Tuber aestivum June–November The deceiver (pink laccaria) Laccaria laccata June–November The flirt (russula vesca) Russula vesca June–October The miller (purple-stalked webcap) Cortinarius caperatus June–October Weeping bolete (grainy suillus) Suillus granulatus May–November Winter chanterelle (yellowfoot) Craterellus tubaeformis August–November, to the frosts Wood ear (Judas' ear) Auricularia auricula-judae Year-round, peak in autumn and winter

Conditionally edible requires processing: boiling, soaking, salting 18

Autumn honey fungus Armillaria mellea August–November Brick cap (false honey fungus) Hypholoma sublateritium August–November Common inkcap Coprinopsis atramentaria May–October Common stinkhorn Phallus impudicus July–October Fleecy milkcap Lactarius vellereus July–October Golden scalycap Pholiota aurivella August–October Green russula (green-cracking) Russula aeruginea July–October Milk-white brittlegill Russula delica July–October Peppery milkcap Lactarius piperatus July–October Puffball (Lycoperdon group) Lycoperdon July–October Rufous milkcap Lactarius rufus July–October Silky volvariella Volvariella bombycina July–September Stinking russula Russula foetens July–October Sulphur shelf (chicken of the woods) Laetiporus sulphureus May–October The blusher (amanita rubescens) Amanita rubescens June–October Wood blewit Lepista nuda September–November Woolly milkcap (pink fringe) Lactarius torminosus June–October Yellow milkcap (podskryobnik) Lactarius scrobiculatus July–October

Medicinal 3

Birch polypore (Ötzi's mushroom) Fomitopsis betulina August–October, persisting into winter Cordyceps militaris Cordyceps militaris Year-round in culture Lion's mane Hericium erinaceus Late summer–autumn; year-round in culture

Dangerous — do not pick 23

These mushrooms grow at the same time and in the same places. Some are deadly and cooking does not help.

Bitter bolete (bilious bolete) Tylopilus felleus June–October Brown roll-rim Paxillus involutus July–October Common earthball (false puffball) Scleroderma citrinum July–November Common scalycap Pholiota squarrosa May–November Death cap Amanita phalloides Late summer to autumn, usually August–October False chanterelle Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca July–November Fatal dapperling Lepiota brunneoincarnata July–October Fly agaric Amanita muscaria July–October Fool's funnel (bleached funnel) Clitocybe rivulosa June–October Fool's webcap Cortinarius orellanus July–October Funeral bell (deadly galerina) Galerina marginata August–November, the same time as honey fungi Jack-o'-lantern (olive omphalotus) Omphalotus olearius Summer–autumn Livid entoloma Entoloma sinuatum May–October Man on horseback (yellow knight) Tricholoma equestre September–November Panther cap Amanita pantherina July–October Poison pie (crusted hebeloma) Hebeloma crustuliniforme July–October Spectacular rustgill (Gymnopilus junonius) Gymnopilus junonius July–November Stinking amanita (destroying angel group) Amanita virosa July–October Sulphur tuft Hypholoma fasciculare May–November The sickener (vomiting russula) Russula emetica Summer–autumn Tiger tricholoma (tiger sawgill) Tricholoma pardinum August–October Yellow-staining / lemon amanita (Amanita citrina) Amanita citrina July–October Yellow-staining mushroom Agaricus xanthodermus June–October

Winter December — February

Almost nothing except oyster mushrooms in a thaw and velvet shank. Chaga and polypores can be found year-round.

Edible 3

Enoki (velvet shank) Flammulina velutipes Late autumn–winter, to early spring Oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus September–December; in mild winters to spring Wood ear (Judas' ear) Auricularia auricula-judae Year-round, peak in autumn and winter

Dangerous — do not pick 1

These mushrooms grow at the same time and in the same places. Some are deadly and cooking does not help.

Jack-o'-lantern (olive omphalotus) Omphalotus olearius Summer–autumn

All year perennials

Perennial bracket fungi and the chaga conk can be found at any time of year. These are medicinal, not culinary mushrooms.

Agarikon (Fomitopsis officinalis) Laricifomes officinalis Perennial conk Chaga Inonotus obliquus Harvested year-round; best late autumn–early spring Mesima (black hoof mushroom) Phellinus linteus Perennial conk Reishi (lingzhi, lacquered polypore) Ganoderma lucidum Summer–autumn; year-round in culture Tinder fungus (true tinder polypore) Fomes fomentarius Perennial Turkey tail Trametes versicolor Year-round; perennial shelves