Macrofungi
Covers mushrooms and other non-lichenized fungi that form multicellular fruiting bodies large enough to be seen with the unaided eye.
Common names beginning with F:
106 common names
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Index to common names:
fairy-club, fairy-cup, false truffle, falsebolete, fan, fanvault, fiber vase, fiberhead, fibre-head, fibrecap, fieldcap, flamecap, fork, formosa, formosetta, fungus, funnel, funnel-cap, funnelcap, fuzztop, fuzzy-footGolden fairy-club (Clavulinopsis laeticolor)
Distribution: A widespread species, occurring across North America and in Europe and parts of Asia.
Distribution: A widespread species, occurring across North America and in Europe and parts of Asia.
Orange fairy-cup (Aleuria aurantia)
Description: Aleuria aurantia does indeed look like orange peels turned inside-out and scattered by a passing hiker or motorist. The inner fertile surface is a brilliant deep orange, the outer surface paler with a somewhat dandruffy texture. The spores are ellipsoid, 13--24 x 7.5--10 µm, and covered by a network of ridges. A. aurantia is very common in the fall, and is especially abundant along gravelly forest roads, in campgrounds, and at trailhead parking areas. It is one of several ascomycetes that will discharge many spores simultaneously when disturbed, producing a visible smoke-like cloud. Sometimes this can be induced by breathing on the cups, at other times it will occur on its own when the fruitbody is removed from its collecting container.
Distribution: A. aurantia is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere.
Habitat: grassy areas on disturbed soil, in gardens, and along roadsides
Substrate: On ground, in groups or clusters.
Spores: Summer and fall
Description: Aleuria aurantia does indeed look like orange peels turned inside-out and scattered by a passing hiker or motorist. The inner fertile surface is a brilliant deep orange, the outer surface paler with a somewhat dandruffy texture. The spores are ellipsoid, 13--24 x 7.5--10 µm, and covered by a network of ridges. A. aurantia is very common in the fall, and is especially abundant along gravelly forest roads, in campgrounds, and at trailhead parking areas. It is one of several ascomycetes that will discharge many spores simultaneously when disturbed, producing a visible smoke-like cloud. Sometimes this can be induced by breathing on the cups, at other times it will occur on its own when the fruitbody is removed from its collecting container.
Distribution: A. aurantia is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere.
Habitat: grassy areas on disturbed soil, in gardens, and along roadsides
Substrate: On ground, in groups or clusters.
Spores: Summer and fall
Blushing false truffle (Rhizopogon rubescens)
White jellied false truffle (Leucophleps spinispora)
Gray falsebolete (Boletopsis grisea)
Description: The commonest of the three boletopsises is Boletopsis grisea, which apparently occurs mostly with pine; it has a dull gray to blackish, often radially streaked, cap that sometimes is slightly scaly near the center.
Habitat: dry pine woodland
Substrate: Pine
Description: The commonest of the three boletopsises is Boletopsis grisea, which apparently occurs mostly with pine; it has a dull gray to blackish, often radially streaked, cap that sometimes is slightly scaly near the center.
Habitat: dry pine woodland
Substrate: Pine
Stinking fanvault (Camarophyllopsis foetens)
Description: Camarophyllopsis foetens forms caps that are convex, becoming flat or weakly depressed. The cap surface is smooth, pale gray-brown to brown. The gills are distant, decurrent, and cap-colored. The stem is smooth, tapering to the base, ocher-brown to cap-colored.
Habitat: pasture, mossy lawns, or woodlands
Substrate: moss and grass
Description: Camarophyllopsis foetens forms caps that are convex, becoming flat or weakly depressed. The cap surface is smooth, pale gray-brown to brown. The gills are distant, decurrent, and cap-colored. The stem is smooth, tapering to the base, ocher-brown to cap-colored.
Habitat: pasture, mossy lawns, or woodlands
Substrate: moss and grass
Blushing fiberhead (Inocybe whitei)
Lilac fiberhead (Inocybe lilacina)
Pungent fiberhead (Inocybe sororia)
Torn fibre-head (Inocybe lacera)
White-disc fibre-head (Inocybe albodisca)
Distribution: I. albodisca has been reported from throughout the forested PNW, south to California, and east to New England
Distribution: I. albodisca has been reported from throughout the forested PNW, south to California, and east to New England
Fleecy fibrecap (Inocybe flocculosa)
Frosty fibrecap (Inocybe maculata)
Green-foot fibrecap (Inocybe calamistrata)
Lilac fibrecap (Inocybe lilacina)
Lilac leg fibrecap (Inocybe griseolilacina)
Pear fibrecap (Inocybe fraudans)
Pineling fibrecap (Inocybe jacobi)
Scurfy fibrecap (Inocybe petiginosa)
Torn fibrecap (Inocybe lacera)
White fibrecap (Inocybe geophylla)
Dark fieldcap (Agrocybe erebia)
Mulch fieldcap (Agrocybe putaminum)
Description: The cap is hemispherical and brown when young, becoming weakly convex, smooth, matt, and pale yellow-brown. The gills are clay-brown. The stem is smooth but grooved toward the top, cap-colored, and slightly swollen toward the base, which arises from white, root-like, mycelial cords.
Habitat: in parks, gardens, and roadsides
Substrate: woodchip mulch
Origin: Introduced
Description: The cap is hemispherical and brown when young, becoming weakly convex, smooth, matt, and pale yellow-brown. The gills are clay-brown. The stem is smooth but grooved toward the top, cap-colored, and slightly swollen toward the base, which arises from white, root-like, mycelial cords.
Habitat: in parks, gardens, and roadsides
Substrate: woodchip mulch
Origin: Introduced
Netted fieldcap (Bolbitius reticulatus)
Description: Bolbitius reticulatus forms caps that are convex becoming flat to shallowly umbonate. The cap surface is smooth or with netlike veins, sticky when damp, striate, pale to dark gray-brown with purplish lilac tints. The gills are cream at first, becoming cinnamon to rusty brown with age. The stem is narrow, smooth, and white.
Habitat: Woodlands
Substrate: stumps, fallen branches, and woody fragments
Description: Bolbitius reticulatus forms caps that are convex becoming flat to shallowly umbonate. The cap surface is smooth or with netlike veins, sticky when damp, striate, pale to dark gray-brown with purplish lilac tints. The gills are cream at first, becoming cinnamon to rusty brown with age. The stem is narrow, smooth, and white.
Habitat: Woodlands
Substrate: stumps, fallen branches, and woody fragments
Spring fieldcap (Agrocybe praecox)
Description: A. praecox is a medium-sized fleshy mushroom that frequently grows in dense groups of single fruitbodies or small clusters. It is very common in newly landscaped areas containing mulch or wood chips and, as its name indicates, appears in spring or early summer (praecox is Latin for early). The cap is pale yellowish brown to buff, smooth, and may have slight veil remnants on its edge when young; in age it often cracks especially when the weather is dry. The stipe is whitish, longitudinally lined, often bears a fragile, disappearing ring, and usually connects to thick white mycelial cords in the soil.
Description: A. praecox is a medium-sized fleshy mushroom that frequently grows in dense groups of single fruitbodies or small clusters. It is very common in newly landscaped areas containing mulch or wood chips and, as its name indicates, appears in spring or early summer (praecox is Latin for early). The cap is pale yellowish brown to buff, smooth, and may have slight veil remnants on its edge when young; in age it often cracks especially when the weather is dry. The stipe is whitish, longitudinally lined, often bears a fragile, disappearing ring, and usually connects to thick white mycelial cords in the soil.
Yellow fieldcap (Bolbitius titubans)
Description: Bolbitius titubans has a smooth but sticky, bright yellow, cone-shaped cap when young. The cap is thin, with a striate margin, and as it expands rapidly loses its color from the margin inward, becoming watery white to pale buff. The fills are pale yellowish brown, and the stem is narrow, fragile, and pale yellow in color, fading to white with age.
Habitat: Pastures and gardens
Description: Bolbitius titubans has a smooth but sticky, bright yellow, cone-shaped cap when young. The cap is thin, with a striate margin, and as it expands rapidly loses its color from the margin inward, becoming watery white to pale buff. The fills are pale yellowish brown, and the stem is narrow, fragile, and pale yellow in color, fading to white with age.
Habitat: Pastures and gardens
Fir flamecap (Gymnopilus sapineus)
Yellow tuning fork (Calocera viscosa)
Distribution: It is common, but rarely abundant, in western North America, as well as in Europe and Asia.
Habitat: Occurs on rotting conifer wood in the forests
Distribution: It is common, but rarely abundant, in western North America, as well as in Europe and Asia.
Habitat: Occurs on rotting conifer wood in the forests
Artillery fungus (Sphaerobolus iowensis)
Artillery fungus (Sphaerobolus stellatus)
Artist's fungus (Ganoderma applanatum)
Black cup fungus (Plectania melastoma)
Black snowbank cup fungus (Plectania nannfeldtii)
Brown bowl fungus (Tarzetta catinus)
Brown ear fungus (Auricularia auricula)
Bulbous honey fungus (Armillaria gallica)
Description: A. gallica, probably the most common honey mushroom east of the Rockies, appears to occur only rarely in the PNW. It has a white cobwebby veil, pinkish brown coloration, and bulbous-based stipe, and occurs singly or in groups, not clusters, on or near logs, stumps, or bases of broad-leaved trees such as willow.
Description: A. gallica, probably the most common honey mushroom east of the Rockies, appears to occur only rarely in the PNW. It has a white cobwebby veil, pinkish brown coloration, and bulbous-based stipe, and occurs singly or in groups, not clusters, on or near logs, stumps, or bases of broad-leaved trees such as willow.
Cannon fungus (Sphaerobolus iowensis)
Cannon fungus (Sphaerobolus stellatus)
Common bird's nest fungus (Crucibulum laeve)
Concrescent corky spine fungus (Hydnellum concrescens)
Coral jelly fungus (Calocera viscosa)
Distribution: It is common, but rarely abundant, in western North America, as well as in Europe and Asia.
Habitat: Occurs on rotting conifer wood in the forests
Distribution: It is common, but rarely abundant, in western North America, as well as in Europe and Asia.
Habitat: Occurs on rotting conifer wood in the forests
Crown fungus (Sarcosphaera coronaria)
Distribution: S. coronaria occurs in spring, mostly in the mountains, often near melting snow, and is a harbinger of morel season. It also occurs in Europe and has been called S. crassa (Santi) Pouzar and S. eximia (Durieu & Léveillé) Maire.
Spores: The spores are broadly ellipsoid (13--22 x 7--10 µm) with blunt ends and usually two large oil drops.
Distribution: S. coronaria occurs in spring, mostly in the mountains, often near melting snow, and is a harbinger of morel season. It also occurs in Europe and has been called S. crassa (Santi) Pouzar and S. eximia (Durieu & Léveillé) Maire.
Spores: The spores are broadly ellipsoid (13--22 x 7--10 µm) with blunt ends and usually two large oil drops.
Dark honey fungus (Armillaria ostoyae)
Description: A. ostoyae probably is our most common honey mushroom. It usually grows in clusters, mostly on conifers, but also on broad-leaved trees and shrubs such as willow and salmonberry; both the clusters and the individual mushrooms can be quite large. The caps are brown and usually covered with dark scales, a fairly well defined brownish ring is present on most fuitbodies, and the stipes often taper to pointed bases where they fuse in clusters. At other times, the bases may be somewhat enlarged.
Habitat: Under conifers
Description: A. ostoyae probably is our most common honey mushroom. It usually grows in clusters, mostly on conifers, but also on broad-leaved trees and shrubs such as willow and salmonberry; both the clusters and the individual mushrooms can be quite large. The caps are brown and usually covered with dark scales, a fairly well defined brownish ring is present on most fuitbodies, and the stipes often taper to pointed bases where they fuse in clusters. At other times, the bases may be somewhat enlarged.
Habitat: Under conifers
Domestic cup fungus (Peziza domiciliana)
Domicile cup fungus (Peziza domiciliana)
Doughnut fungus (Rhizina undulata)
Dung-loving bird's-nest fungus (Cyathus stercoreus)
Ear-pick fungus (Auriscalpium vulgare)
Description: Auriscalpium vulgare is an unmistakable, but usually inconspicuous, fungus. It is small, dark brown, hairy, and the stipe is lateral. Current evidence suggests it is related to the gilled fungus Lentinellus, the coralloid Clavicorona, the poroid Albatrellus, and other relatives of the russulas, including the fellow spine-fungus, Hericium. The species epithet, “vulgare,” means common, and attests to the wide distribution of the fungus in much of North America, Europe, and temperate Asia.
Habitat: Auriscalpium vulgare is found primarily on (often buried) Douglas-fir cones in the PNW. Elsewhere it can often be found on the cones of pine or occasionally spruce.
Substrate: Fallen or buried cones
Description: Auriscalpium vulgare is an unmistakable, but usually inconspicuous, fungus. It is small, dark brown, hairy, and the stipe is lateral. Current evidence suggests it is related to the gilled fungus Lentinellus, the coralloid Clavicorona, the poroid Albatrellus, and other relatives of the russulas, including the fellow spine-fungus, Hericium. The species epithet, “vulgare,” means common, and attests to the wide distribution of the fungus in much of North America, Europe, and temperate Asia.
Habitat: Auriscalpium vulgare is found primarily on (often buried) Douglas-fir cones in the PNW. Elsewhere it can often be found on the cones of pine or occasionally spruce.
Substrate: Fallen or buried cones
Ear-spoon fungus (Auriscalpium vulgare)
Description: Auriscalpium vulgare is an unmistakable, but usually inconspicuous, fungus. It is small, dark brown, hairy, and the stipe is lateral. Current evidence suggests it is related to the gilled fungus Lentinellus, the coralloid Clavicorona, the poroid Albatrellus, and other relatives of the russulas, including the fellow spine-fungus, Hericium. The species epithet, “vulgare,” means common, and attests to the wide distribution of the fungus in much of North America, Europe, and temperate Asia.
Habitat: Auriscalpium vulgare is found primarily on (often buried) Douglas-fir cones in the PNW. Elsewhere it can often be found on the cones of pine or occasionally spruce.
Substrate: Fallen or buried cones
Description: Auriscalpium vulgare is an unmistakable, but usually inconspicuous, fungus. It is small, dark brown, hairy, and the stipe is lateral. Current evidence suggests it is related to the gilled fungus Lentinellus, the coralloid Clavicorona, the poroid Albatrellus, and other relatives of the russulas, including the fellow spine-fungus, Hericium. The species epithet, “vulgare,” means common, and attests to the wide distribution of the fungus in much of North America, Europe, and temperate Asia.
Habitat: Auriscalpium vulgare is found primarily on (often buried) Douglas-fir cones in the PNW. Elsewhere it can often be found on the cones of pine or occasionally spruce.
Substrate: Fallen or buried cones
Eyelash fungus (Scutellinia scutellata)
Hoof fungus (Fomes fomentarius)
Horse's hoof fungus (Fomes fomentarius)
Horsehair fungus (Marasmius androsaceus)
Indian paint fungus (Echinodontium tinctorium)
Jellied bird's nest fungus (Nidula candida)
Larch fungus (Fomitopsis officinalis)
Matchstick fungus (Mitrula elegans)
Habitat: Occurs on very wet plant litter or even on litter submerged in cold, shallow, running water.
Habitat: Occurs on very wet plant litter or even on litter submerged in cold, shallow, running water.
Navel tooth fungus (Hydnum umbilicatum)
Orange nail fungus (Rickenella fibula)
Distribution: It occurs in mossy forest habitats but also is a common urban mushroom, occurring in small to large groups in mossy lawns of homes, parks, and similar habitats.
Distribution: It occurs in mossy forest habitats but also is a common urban mushroom, occurring in small to large groups in mossy lawns of homes, parks, and similar habitats.
Orange peel fungus (Aleuria aurantia)
Description: Aleuria aurantia does indeed look like orange peels turned inside-out and scattered by a passing hiker or motorist. The inner fertile surface is a brilliant deep orange, the outer surface paler with a somewhat dandruffy texture. The spores are ellipsoid, 13--24 x 7.5--10 µm, and covered by a network of ridges. A. aurantia is very common in the fall, and is especially abundant along gravelly forest roads, in campgrounds, and at trailhead parking areas. It is one of several ascomycetes that will discharge many spores simultaneously when disturbed, producing a visible smoke-like cloud. Sometimes this can be induced by breathing on the cups, at other times it will occur on its own when the fruitbody is removed from its collecting container.
Distribution: A. aurantia is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere.
Habitat: grassy areas on disturbed soil, in gardens, and along roadsides
Substrate: On ground, in groups or clusters.
Spores: Summer and fall
Description: Aleuria aurantia does indeed look like orange peels turned inside-out and scattered by a passing hiker or motorist. The inner fertile surface is a brilliant deep orange, the outer surface paler with a somewhat dandruffy texture. The spores are ellipsoid, 13--24 x 7.5--10 µm, and covered by a network of ridges. A. aurantia is very common in the fall, and is especially abundant along gravelly forest roads, in campgrounds, and at trailhead parking areas. It is one of several ascomycetes that will discharge many spores simultaneously when disturbed, producing a visible smoke-like cloud. Sometimes this can be induced by breathing on the cups, at other times it will occur on its own when the fruitbody is removed from its collecting container.
Distribution: A. aurantia is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere.
Habitat: grassy areas on disturbed soil, in gardens, and along roadsides
Substrate: On ground, in groups or clusters.
Spores: Summer and fall
Orange-peel fungus (Aleuria aurantia)
Description: Aleuria aurantia does indeed look like orange peels turned inside-out and scattered by a passing hiker or motorist. The inner fertile surface is a brilliant deep orange, the outer surface paler with a somewhat dandruffy texture. The spores are ellipsoid, 13--24 x 7.5--10 µm, and covered by a network of ridges. A. aurantia is very common in the fall, and is especially abundant along gravelly forest roads, in campgrounds, and at trailhead parking areas. It is one of several ascomycetes that will discharge many spores simultaneously when disturbed, producing a visible smoke-like cloud. Sometimes this can be induced by breathing on the cups, at other times it will occur on its own when the fruitbody is removed from its collecting container.
Distribution: A. aurantia is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere.
Habitat: grassy areas on disturbed soil, in gardens, and along roadsides
Substrate: On ground, in groups or clusters.
Spores: Summer and fall
Description: Aleuria aurantia does indeed look like orange peels turned inside-out and scattered by a passing hiker or motorist. The inner fertile surface is a brilliant deep orange, the outer surface paler with a somewhat dandruffy texture. The spores are ellipsoid, 13--24 x 7.5--10 µm, and covered by a network of ridges. A. aurantia is very common in the fall, and is especially abundant along gravelly forest roads, in campgrounds, and at trailhead parking areas. It is one of several ascomycetes that will discharge many spores simultaneously when disturbed, producing a visible smoke-like cloud. Sometimes this can be induced by breathing on the cups, at other times it will occur on its own when the fruitbody is removed from its collecting container.
Distribution: A. aurantia is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere.
Habitat: grassy areas on disturbed soil, in gardens, and along roadsides
Substrate: On ground, in groups or clusters.
Spores: Summer and fall
Pine fire fungus (Rhizina undulata)
Quinine fungus (Fomitopsis officinalis)
Razorstrop fungus (Piptoporus betulinus)
Scarlet cup fungus (Sarcoscypha coccinea)
Silver leaf fungus (Chondrostereum purpureum)
Description: Chondrostereum purpureum is commonly found on hardwood logs, snags, stumps, and rarely on conifer wood. The cap surface is hairy to tomentose, grayish to yellowish buff or pale cinnamon to darker brown, often with a distinct pale edge. Unlike that of polypores, the spore-producing underside is smooth, and is violet to brown-violet and waxy-looking.
Substrate: Hardwood logs, snags, and stumps
Description: Chondrostereum purpureum is commonly found on hardwood logs, snags, stumps, and rarely on conifer wood. The cap surface is hairy to tomentose, grayish to yellowish buff or pale cinnamon to darker brown, often with a distinct pale edge. Unlike that of polypores, the spore-producing underside is smooth, and is violet to brown-violet and waxy-looking.
Substrate: Hardwood logs, snags, and stumps
Silver-leaf fungus (Chondrostereum purpureum)
Description: Chondrostereum purpureum is commonly found on hardwood logs, snags, stumps, and rarely on conifer wood. The cap surface is hairy to tomentose, grayish to yellowish buff or pale cinnamon to darker brown, often with a distinct pale edge. Unlike that of polypores, the spore-producing underside is smooth, and is violet to brown-violet and waxy-looking.
Substrate: Hardwood logs, snags, and stumps
Description: Chondrostereum purpureum is commonly found on hardwood logs, snags, stumps, and rarely on conifer wood. The cap surface is hairy to tomentose, grayish to yellowish buff or pale cinnamon to darker brown, often with a distinct pale edge. Unlike that of polypores, the spore-producing underside is smooth, and is violet to brown-violet and waxy-looking.
Substrate: Hardwood logs, snags, and stumps
Snowbank orange peel fungus (Caloscypha fulgens)
Distribution: Although most common in the western mountains, it occurs across North America, as well as in Europe and temperate Asia.
Distribution: Although most common in the western mountains, it occurs across North America, as well as in Europe and temperate Asia.
Spatula fungus (Spathularia flavida)
Stalked orange peel fungus (Sowerbyella rhenana)
Stone fungus (Polyporus tuberaster)
Tinder fungus (Fomes fomentarius)
Toothed jelly fungus (Pseudohydnum gelatinosum)
Warty jelly fungus (Exidia glandulosa)
White-crested coral fungus (Clavulina coralloides)
Description: Clavulina coralloides forms fruitbodies that are repeatedly branched. When young, the branches are dull whitish and crested or feathery at the tips, but with age the branches may become gray-tinted and the tips more rounded. The surface may be smooth or wrinkled, and the white, brittle flesh is normally solid.
Habitat: Woodlands
Description: Clavulina coralloides forms fruitbodies that are repeatedly branched. When young, the branches are dull whitish and crested or feathery at the tips, but with age the branches may become gray-tinted and the tips more rounded. The surface may be smooth or wrinkled, and the white, brittle flesh is normally solid.
Habitat: Woodlands
Yellow bird's nest fungus (Crucibulum laeve)
Yellow brain fungus (Tremella mesenterica)
Yellow-toothed fungus (Hydnum repandum)
Aniseed funnel (Clitocybe odora)
Clouded funnel (Clitocybe nebularis)
Distribution: A variety of forests, often appearing along woodland trails late in fall
Distribution: A variety of forests, often appearing along woodland trails late in fall
Common funnel (Clitocybe gibba)
Fragrant funnel (Clitocybe fragrans)
Frosty funnel (Clitocybe phyllophila)
Smoky-brown funnel (Ampulloclitocybe avellaneoalba)
Description: Has a cap that is flat, becoming depressed or funnel-shaped with age, with a margin that often remains incurved. The surface is smooth to slightly scaly at the center, dark olive-brown to blackish brown. The fills are white to cream and strongly decurrent. The stem is smooth and pale cap-colored.
Habitat: woodlands
Substrate: conifers or broadleaf trees, especially alder
Description: Has a cap that is flat, becoming depressed or funnel-shaped with age, with a margin that often remains incurved. The surface is smooth to slightly scaly at the center, dark olive-brown to blackish brown. The fills are white to cream and strongly decurrent. The stem is smooth and pale cap-colored.
Habitat: woodlands
Substrate: conifers or broadleaf trees, especially alder
Tawny funnel (Lepista flaccida)
Fuzztop (Tricholoma vaccinum)
Distribution: Widely in Northern Hemisphere
Habitat: Growth with conifers, especially spruce
Distribution: Widely in Northern Hemisphere
Habitat: Growth with conifers, especially spruce
Orange fuzzy-foot (Xeromphalina campanella)
Distribution: Very common It is very common on conifer wood in the PNW and elsewhere throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
Spores: spores are amyloid
Distribution: Very common It is very common on conifer wood in the PNW and elsewhere throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
Spores: spores are amyloid
