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Must-See Mushrooms

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A clump of light pink fungi that resembles a coral with dozens of upturned "branches", growing out of a moss-colored area

Fungi, in addition to having plenty of pun-potential, serves very important purposes in ecosystems. They are decomposers, feeding off dead plant matter, promoting biodiversity and making nutrients available for new life to grow. Further, fungi promote climate resilience by absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in soil. On top of it all, mushrooms make for tasty, nutritious meals - though we don’t recommend eating mushrooms you find in the wild - or disturbing any “flora or fauna” found in open spaces.

Keep reading to learn about nine unique mushrooms and fungus found in and around the Santa Clara Valley.

Bright orange fungus that resembles an orange peel on wet, dark soil

Orange peel

Orange peel is an unusual fungus that can be found in the Santa Cruz mountains. It prefers wet, soggy ground near creeks. This variety is also known as orange fairy cup fungus. This mushroom’s pores are too small to see with the naked eye but are on the upper surface of the cap, releasing spores when the wind blows, helping it reproduce. Its peculiar shape and vibrant color are hard to miss when on a winter hike.

A clump of large, upturned mushrooms with orange and yellow-colored gills growing out of leafy debris next to a tree stump

Western jack o’ lantern

The western jack o’lantern is an orange to brown-colored gilled mushroom native to California and Mexico. This mushroom is phosphorescent, glowing green in the dark. Fun fact: The green is at its brightest at the peak of spore production.

A strange-looking mushroom with a dark brown base resembling a pointed star and a lighter brown bulb above with a hole in the center

Earthstar

The earthstar fungus uses its “feet” to raise itself off the forest floor to better disperse spores. When raindrops strike its upper ball-like surface, puffs of spores are released that drift in all directions.

Four orange and brown, shiny mushrooms with pointed caps growing out of leaf debris

Witch's hat

Young witch’s hat mushrooms range from bright red to orange to yellow. As they age (or if injured), these mushrooms turn jet black. This fungus spreads its cap like an umbrella to release spores.

A thick, upturned fungus with orange and yellow flesh growing out of leafy debris next to a tree stump

Sulfur polypore

This large yellow-orange bracket fungus is common on large oak trees, logs and stumps. Their unique shape led to their nickname “chicken of the woods”! Spores are produced in the pores on the underside of each bracket, or shelf-like body, and are released.

A light tan-colored shaggy mushroom with long dangling spines growing out of the side of a tree

Lion’s mane

Lion's mane is a tree-dependent mushroom that grows high on the trunks of tall oaks. Each “hair” in its mane releases spores in 10–15-minute intervals to optimize dispersal.

Globs of yellow jelly-like fungus growing on a lichen-covered tree branch

Witch’s butter

Witch’s butter emerges after a good rain. It grows on dead deciduous wood and has a yellow jelly-like texture. After releasing spores, it literally melts away!

A clump of light pink fungi that resembles a coral with dozens of upturned "branches", growing out of a moss-colored area

Coral mushroom

Coral mushrooms come in a variety of colors, from translucent white to yellow to pink. Their breathtaking clumps can grow between two to five inches high and eight to ten inches across.

A cream-colored fungus with many branches covered with tufts of hanging, toothlike spines.

Comb tooth mushroom

The comb tooth mushroom is a delicate species found in mixed oak woodlands and redwood forests, growing on decaying wood. This mushroom has many branches covered with tufts of hanging toothlike spines.

 

If you are lucky, you’ll find one or multiple of these interesting mushroom varieties on your next outdoor adventure. If you do, be sure to take only pictures. 

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