In light of the false information I found in the witch community: I wanted to make a post about edible mushrooms. This is my first long, informative post so bear with me.
All of the mushrooms listed below are edible, and can be found in the North Eastern United States. All mushrooms should be thoroughly cooked before eating.
I'm going to provide their name and their basic information, but please educate yourselves on how to properly identify these mushrooms on your own (ie mushroom parts, spore prints, and look alikes to avoid). I do not know their magical properties and I am on the hunt for a reputable source for that information. As soon as I find something, I will be sure to share it on here.
This is not an entire list of edible mushrooms that can be found in this area, but it is a list of some of my favorites for taste. 😊
Morel mushrooms can be found in early spring. They grow in the soil typically under Tulip Poplars and Elm trees as they have a mychorizzal connection with the roots of these trees (so maybe their magical properties would be similar to these tree's properties). Better have a good hunting eye for these guys because their noteable sponge-like appearance make them perfectly camouflaged amongst leaf litter. They have a centralized stalk and are completely hollow. There are about three edible varities of these mushrooms and a couple look-alikes that should be avoided. (Refer to mushroom ID book to differentiate)
Varieties of oyster mushrooms can be found in all seasons and with yellow, white, or brown coloration. They have true gills and a stem that is not centralized. They grow on dead or dying wood in clusters, and have a fishy odor to them. One look-alike, known as Angel Wings, should be avoided.
Chicken of the Woods can be found in the summer growing on wood in clusters with no stem. It is unmistakable with its bright orange coloration that dulls with age. However, the edges can vary between white and yellow. It is a polypore mushroom meaning it has no gills, but has pores on its underside. You can feel pretty safe in correctly identifying this mushroom as it has no look-alikes.
Chanterelles can be found from mid to late summer growing singularly in soil. They have a fruity odor and the edible varieties range from red to yellowish orange. They have false gills meaning they have what looks like gills, but they are more like veins or wrinkles in the flesh. These guys do have a deadly look-alike so research both well. The deadly look-alike is known as a Jack-O-Lantern and some of the more distiguishable characteristics are that they grow on wood in clusters (careful because they grow on roots through the soil too!), and they have true gills.
Black Trumpets are family members with Chanterelles. They are found mid to late summer, they grow in soil with a central stalk, and have false gills as well. They are a smaller sized mushroom but you can usually find a lot when you do find them.
Lions Mane is a white, comb-toothed mushroom that grows on wood. It can be found in the fall and sometimes the spring as it likes cooler temperatures. It is said to be super healthy for the neurons in the brain (so I wonder if magical properties could include helping meditation or psychic powers?). It is also very tasty and comparable to crab meat after cooked.
So there you have it! My informative list of edible mushrooms. I can't wait to be able to combine delicious mushrooms with magical intentions! Happy foraging and remember to ask before taking, leave an offering, and say thank you when harvesting anything from nature. Also, use a basket or netted bag for gathering mushrooms so spores can drop as you hike to encourage regrowth of the mushrooms.
