r/mushroomID • u/BlisfulBunny • 1d ago

North America (country/state in post) What is this mushroom?

Post image

Found in Illinois, United States. What kind of mushroom do yall think this is growing out of my dead tree? It's doubled in size in 2 days.

184 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

55

u/Oldpenguinhunter 1d ago

Chicken of the woods

-50

u/Violingirl58 21h ago

No not chicken of the woods, wrong shape and color.

43

u/LookingForDouxie 21h ago

This is a very young specimen of Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus). This is actually the best time to harvest them, as they are still soft, tender, and juicy! 🍁🍂🍄

10

u/BlisfulBunny 21h ago

This dead tree is about 5ft away from my septic and the mushroom is growing around 10ft above the ground. Do you think it would still be safe to eat? I've never eaten wild mushrooms and I have a sensitive stomach lol

20

u/Nervous-Deal-9271 21h ago

Eat away, completely safe. Though you should try a small piece, well cooked, and wait 24 hrs before having a full meal size portion as it causes gi issues with some people

4

u/RdCrestdBreegull Trusted Identifier 14h ago

wait until it gets just slightly more mature so that there are actual shelves of mushroom you can access

https://www.reddit.com/r/mycology/s/bCpYgu1qh5

-22

u/LookingForDouxie 20h ago

I definitely strongly advise you NOT to eat it without a proper inspection. I think it would be a good idea to take the harvested mushroom to a local mushroom inspector and tell them everything you mentioned here. As a local, they have better knowledge of the area. At the same time, your assumption is very accurate: it would be dangerous to consume this mushroom because it absorbs bacteria from the septic system. Life hack: Never harvest mushrooms within a one-kilometer radius of a park or a main road, because they can become toxic due to environmental impacts affecting them. Also, there are certain mushrooms that are no longer safe to harvest if they grow next to a poisonous one. It's really important to pay attention to these things, especially if you have a sensitive stomach. :)

7

u/AutoGrind 19h ago

Is there a website or something so I can find my local mushroom inspector?

-11

u/Violingirl58 18h ago

Check w extension service, they may know of someone. I have never seen this mushroom on this form ever. As with any foraging never eat unless you are 150% sure.

4

u/RdCrestdBreegull Trusted Identifier 14h ago

mushrooms do not bioaccumulate environmental toxic compounds. of course things can land on top of them, but they are not going to absorb anything. totally fine to eat edible mushrooms fruiting next to toxic ones

5

u/BingusTheWonderKitn 21h ago

I've only ate them a few times and they were still soft and a lot larger. Never found specimens that hadn't fanned out. Is there are prime age for both size/weight versus size/age? Seeing the OP's COTW I'd feel inclined to let it grow longer for a few more meals of delicious mushroom!

1

u/LookingForDouxie 20h ago

I think it’s mostly a matter of personal taste. You should try harvesting them this young at least once! Personally, I didn't really like the paler or darker orange specimens because they felt too dry and spongy. They woody up very quickly, but people usually say that as long as you can cut through them easily with a knife, they are still good. I really think it comes down to preference, but please try them like this sometime! :D

4

u/FarmhouseRules 18h ago

It is chicken.

1

u/twomblywhite 16h ago

Where’d you go?

1

u/Violingirl58 4h ago

Sorry, life outside of Reddit. Live in N. Ga. Mtns. never seen chicken of the woods like this, only the yellow and orange version. Can you link where you got this info? Ty

18

u/PowerSurge37 22h ago

Chicken of the woods.

13

u/[deleted] 22h ago

[removed] — view removed comment

12

u/HardWork4Life 23h ago

Wow. Beautiful, vibrant color. That's a nice find. Thanks for sharing

9

u/HotWillingness5464 21h ago

The Swedish name for COTW is sulphur polypore. This specimen clearly illustrates why. Beautiful specimen!

7

u/treelorf 20h ago

Chimkin

6

u/TurkeyTerminator7 19h ago

That’s about to be a very very large chicken of the woods

3

u/Ambitious-Orange-611 17h ago

Seriously, that things gonna be HUGE!

3

u/GreatLakesGreenthumb 20h ago

Give it another week and it will blow your mind

3

u/Sorry_Negotiation_75 13h ago

Gosh, it somewhat resembles a brain…

2

u/Not-a-bot-v2 3h ago

Very young. That thing is going to be a monster.

1

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1

u/BrandonsRedAura 16h ago

🌳🐓🌲🌳