A Guide to Seasonal Wild Mushrooms

A Guide to Seasonal Wild Mushrooms

24 May, 2024

Foraging for wild mushrooms is a rewarding activity that combines the thrill of a treasure hunt with the joys of culinary discovery. Eastern North America offers a rich variety of mushrooms that appear in different seasons. Here’s a chronological guide to the availability of wild mushrooms by month.

January to March: Winter Delicacies

Okay, to be fair, there are not a ton of mushrooms available in the smack-dab middle of winter in the northern regions of eastern North America (such as Canada). The further south you head along the eastern coast, the higher likelihood you have of finding some of the ones listed below.

  1. Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus): These hardy mushrooms can be found year-round in the southern states, and are often more visible in the colder months of winter. Look for them on decaying hardwood. [Included in both our Mushroom Identification Courses]
  2. Wood Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae): Typically found on elder trees, these jelly-like mushrooms can be found throughout winter. While not as likely to be found in these months in Canada, recent mild winters have provided ample opportunity to spot these culinary gems.
  3. Chaga (Inonotus obliquus): Oddly enough, Chaga isn’t even a mushroom in itself, but it is caused by a fungus. Chaga is renown for it’s unparallel anti-oxidant content and other medicinal benefits. These can be spotted year round on birch trees.
Gelatinous wood ear mushrooms grow on a branch.
Wood Ears, taken in late October.

April: The Early Risers

  1. Morels (Morchella spp.): The most sought-after spring mushrooms, morels typically appear around late April in the more southern states and follow the warming climate north. By the time they start popping up in Quebec, it’s usually early June, and the season is wrapping up in the southern states. They appear when the temperature sits around 15-20°C (60-70°F) during the day. [Yellow and Black morels are both Included in both our Mushroom Identification Courses]
  2. Dryad’s Saddle (Cerioporus squamosus): These large, bracket fungi can be found on dead logs or tree stumps, often growing in clusters. Check out this edition of our newsletter to read my personal take on this mushrooms.
Two images showing the shelving and flecked cap of the Dryad's Saddle, Pheasant's Back or Cerioporus squamosus (three names for the same mushroom).
Dryad’s Saddle in all it’s springtime glory.

May: Spring Abundance

  1. Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus): This bright orange mushroom grows on trees and is easy to spot. It starts to grow early in the spring, but usually takes sometime to grow to it’s full glorious self/shelf. For those in Canada, keep a lookout for the COTW in late June. [Included in both our Mushroom Identification Courses]
  2. Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus): That’s right, we’re back to the Oyster mushroom. For anyone who experiences true winter, May is also the time when oysters will start re-emerging from their hibernation [note: oysters don’t actually hibernate]. Look for them on decaying hardwood. [Included in both our Mushroom Identification Courses]
Yellow-Orange Chicken of the Woods grows on a log (Laetiporus sulphureus)
Chicken of the Woods… tastes like chicken!

June: Early Summer Finds

  1. Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp.): These fragrant and flavourful mushrooms start appearing in June in the southern states and July in Canada. Once they start growing, they will continue popping up for most of the summer, until the temperatures start to cool off. They grow in the ground, typically in moist hardwood forests. [Included in both our Mushroom Identification Courses]
  2. Black Trumpet (Craterellus spp.): These dark, horn-shaped mushrooms can be elusive but are a gourmet favourite. You typically only notice them after you have walked on a bunch of them. They seem to like to grow directly on the trails, so be sure to check where you’re walking! [Included in both our Mushroom Identification Courses]
Black trumpets are black horned shape mushrooms. In this image, two black trumpets grow beside each other in the leaf litter.
Black Trumpets, also known as Horn of Plenty. Fairly macabre looking.

July: Midsummer Foraging

  1. Boletes (Boletus spp.): Various species, including the highly prized King Bolete (Boletus edulis), emerge in July. They are often found under conifers and hardwoods. Most Boletes are edible, but there are some that are insanely bitter and others that are just downright toxic. [The King Bolete is included in our beginner mushroom identification course, while the King Bolete and 10 other Boletes are included in our intermediate mushroom identification course.]
  2. Hedgehog Mushrooms (Hydnum repandum): With their tooth-like structures under the cap, these mushrooms appear in mixed woods. They aren’t as common as some of the other mushrooms, but they are quite the treat when they are found, with a soft nutty-apricot flavour. Yum! [This toothed mushroom included in our beginner mushroom identification course, while the hedgehog and 4 other toothed mushrooms are included in our intermediate mushroom identification course.]

August: Peak Diversity

  1. Lobster Mushroom (Hypomyces lactifluorum): Actually a parasitized host mushroom (often a Russula or Lactarius), these vibrant orange mushrooms have a mild seafood-like flavour. They are great finds and perfectly firm, but not tough, mushrooms to eat. One of my favourites!
  2. Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus): This unique, icicle-like mushroom grows on hardwood and has a delicate, seafood-like taste. They are a threatened species in much of Europe, and a cultivatable mushroom. As such, I always recommend people cultivate this mushroom rather than forage it. Plus you’ll benefit from being able to pick it at it’s prime and not have to get bugs and bark out from the mushroom’s ‘teeth’. [One of my favourites, included in the both identification courses, but you should get the grow kit instead]
An orange lobster mushroom sits under the leaves.
Lobster mushroom sits under the summer foliage.

September: Autumn Bounty

  1. Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa): Known as Maitake in Japanese cuisine, this large, clustered mushroom grows at the base of oaks and is highly prized for its flavour and medicinal properties. They are not overly common. If you know where some grow, keep it a secret as they will regrow in that spot year after year!
  2. Puffballs (Lycoperdon perlatum): If you haven’t had the pleasure of poking a mature puffball, then you better make it this summer/fall’s mission to do so! However, if you plan to eat the puffball, you’ll need to find the non-mature specimens that are pure white inside. [The Common Puffball is included in our beginner mushroom identification course, while the Common Puffball and 3 other Puffball types (including the toxic types) are included in our intermediate mushroom identification course.]
Three gem-studded puffball sits beside each other on the forest floor.
Gem-studded puffballs are gorgeous, just don’t confuse them with the toxic types.

October: Fall’s Finest

  1. Blewits (Clitocybe nuda): These violet-colored mushrooms thrive in leaf litter and are a fall favourite. There are a couple of non-edible lookalikes, so this isn’t considered a beginner mushroom. Spore prints are the best way to properly identify whether you have found a true Blewit.
  2. Honey Mushrooms (Armillaria mellea): Found in large clusters on stumps or dying trees, these mushrooms can be prolific in autumn. I’ve seen thousands lining a trail before. Keep in mind that some people can’t seem to tolerate honey mushrooms so if you are eating them for the first time, try just one first, then go back for more on another day. Also, these mushrooms destroy forests, so don’t go inoculating trees with their spores on purpose.
A cluster of brown honey mushrooms grows out of the grown, but likely off a parasitized tree root.
Honey Mushrooms aren’t for everyone, try just one your first time!

November to December: Late Season Surprises

  1. Enoki (Flammulina velutipes): These small, delicate mushrooms can be found on tree stumps and logs, thriving in cooler temperatures. I’ve seen some well into early winter in Canada. They can be confused with the Funeral Bell mushroom, Deadly Galerina, so please be sure you are picking the right mushroom!
  2. Late Fall Oysters (Panellus serotinus): Less known than the common oyster mushroom, these appear on decaying hardwoods during the late fall to early winter. They aren’t in the same genus as our other oyster mushrooms, but their appearance lends them the common name of oysters. They can be a bit more tough and are best prepared in stews.
Late Fall Oyster can be spotted throughout the autumn months.

Foraging for wild mushrooms requires knowledge, patience, and respect for nature. Always ensure accurate identification before consuming any wild mushrooms, as many have poisonous look-alikes. The diverse range of mushrooms available throughout the year in eastern North America offers a continual adventure for those who seek to explore the fungal treasures of the forest. Happy foraging!

Did we mention that we have identification courses? Don’t forget to register and learn how to identify all these mushrooms. Some have toxic lookalikes and you wouldn’t want to make any mistakes when consuming wild mushrooms. Check them out here!