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Mushrooms by colour · 44 species

Brown mushrooms

Brown mushrooms include edible species such as porcini (Boletus edulis), shiitake and morels, and deadly ones such as the deadly galerina and the false morel. Brown on its own says nothing about safety.

Brown is the most common cap colour in mushrooms. This page brings together the brown-toned species; it is the largest colour group in the encyclopedia.

The group foragers call "little brown mushrooms" is the most often confused: it includes the deadly galerina, which carries the same toxins as the death cap.

To identify a brown mushroom, the underside (gills, pores or honeycomb), spore print, stem, ring and habitat are judged together.

Brown mushrooms: edible or poisonous, and when?

MushroomStatusSeason
Artist’s bracketGanoderma applanatumInedibleMar, May, Jul–Oct
Barometer earthstarAstraeus hygrometricusInedibleDec–Jan, Mar–Apr
Beefsteak fungusFistulina hepaticaEdible speciesAug–Nov
BlusherAmanita rubescensInedibleJun–Nov
Button mushroomAgaricus bisporusEdible species
Clouded funnelClitocybe nebularisInedibleOct–Jan
Common bird’s nest fungusCrucibulum laeveInedibleOct–Mar, May
Common earthballScleroderma citrinumPoisonousMar, Aug–Nov
Common ink capCoprinopsis atramentariaPoisonousOct–Jan, Mar–May
Dryad’s saddleCerioporus squamosusEdible speciesApr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Fairy ring champignonMarasmius oreadesEdible speciesApr–May, Sep–Dec
Fiery milkcapLactarius pyrogalusInedibleAug–Nov
Giant polyporeMeripilus giganteusInedibleJan, Sep–Oct
Glistening inkcapCoprinellus micaceusInedibleMar–Jun, Oct–Nov
Honey fungusArmillaria melleaEdible speciesSep–Jan
King oyster mushroomPleurotus eryngiiEdible speciesMar–Jun
MaitakeGrifola frondosaEdible speciesAug–Oct
MorelMorchella esculentaEdible speciesMar–May
NamekoPholiota microsporaEdible species
Oyster mushroomPleurotus ostreatusEdible speciesOct–Mar
Pale brittlestemCandolleomyces candolleanusInedibleSep–Jul
Panther capAmanita pantherinaPoisonousJul–Dec
Parasol mushroomMacrolepiota proceraEdible speciesJul–Nov
Poplar mushroomCyclocybe cylindraceaEdible speciesMar–May, Sep–Dec
PorciniBoletus edulisEdible speciesJun–Nov
ReishiGanoderma lucidumTraditional useJun–Nov
Scarletina boleteNeoboletus erythropusInedibleJun–Oct
Shaggy parasolChlorophyllum rhacodesInedibleSep–Dec
ShiitakeLentinula edodesEdible species
Suillus collinitusSuillus collinitusInedibleAug–Jan, May
Tawny funnelParalepista flaccidaInedibleOct–Jan
Tinder fungusFomes fomentariusInedibleAll year
Trooping funnelInfundibulicybe geotropaEdible speciesSep–Jan
Turkey tailTrametes versicolorInedibleAll year
Weeping boleteSuillus granulatusEdible speciesMay–Jun, Sep–Dec
Weeping milk capLactifluus volemusEdible speciesJun–Sep
Wood ear mushroomAuricularia auricula-judaeEdible speciesOct–May
Yellow foot chanterelleCraterellus lutescensEdible speciesSep–Feb
Brown roll-rimPaxillus involutusDeadly poisonousJun–Nov
Deadly dapperlingLepiota brunneoincarnataDeadly poisonousSep–Nov
Deadly fibrecapInosperma erubescensDeadly poisonousApr–Jul
Deadly galerinaGalerina marginataDeadly poisonousAug–Nov
False morelGyromitra esculentaDeadly poisonousMar–May
Fool’s webcapCortinarius orellanusDeadly poisonousAug–Nov

The status column is a guide and is not enough to decide to eat a mushroom. Do not eat a wild mushroom unless an expert has seen it in person. Edible mushrooms · Poisonous mushrooms

Deadly brown species

The deadly galerina (Galerina marginata) grows in clusters on wood and contains the same toxins as the death cap (amatoxins); it can be confused with honey fungus. The deadly dapperling and fool's webcap are also brown-toned.

The false morel (Gyromitra esculenta) resembles the morel and can be deadly. The brown roll-rim (Paxillus involutus) can trigger a potentially fatal immune reaction in people who eat it repeatedly.

If poisoning is suspected in Türkiye, call 112 or the National Poison Information Centre (114) straight away, and keep a piece of the mushroom if you can.

Edible brown mushrooms

Brown-toned edible species in this encyclopedia include porcini, morel, shiitake, the brown form of the button mushroom, poplar mushroom, king oyster, parasol, maitake and honey fungus. Honey fungus must never be eaten raw or undercooked. Each has its own page.

Little brown mushrooms

Little brown mushrooms are hard to tell apart one by one. Do not pick or eat mushrooms from this group without expert identification.

Frequently asked questions

Are brown mushrooms edible?

Brown mushrooms vary by species: porcini, shiitake and morels are edible; the deadly galerina, deadly dapperling and false morel are deadly. Do not eat wild brown mushrooms without expert identification.

Are brown mushrooms poisonous?

Some brown mushrooms are poisonous and some deadly; the deadly galerina contains the same toxins as the death cap. Colour alone is neither a warning nor a sign of safety.

What types of brown mushrooms are there?

Brown mushrooms include porcini, morel, shiitake, poplar mushroom, king oyster, parasol and honey fungus, as well as the deadly galerina, panther cap and false morel.

What is the brown mushroom sold in shops?

The brown mushroom sold in shops is usually the brown form of the button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), sold as chestnut mushroom or portobello.

Are little brown mushrooms poisonous?

Some little brown mushrooms are deadly; the deadly galerina looks like one. Do not eat mushrooms from this group without expert identification.

Should you peel brown mushrooms?

Brown cultivated mushrooms usually do not need peeling; wiping with a damp cloth or a quick rinse is enough.

How do you tell a morel from a false morel?

A morel and a false morel differ inside: a morel cut lengthwise is hollow from top to bottom, while a false morel is chambered or cottony inside. A firm identification needs an expert.

I ate a brown mushroom. What should I do?

If poisoning is suspected in Türkiye, call 112 or the National Poison Information Centre (114) straight away, and keep a piece of the mushroom if you can.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia (EN): Galerina marginata en.wikipedia.org
  2. Wikipedia (EN): Gyromitra esculenta en.wikipedia.org
  3. Wikipedia (EN): Boletus edulis en.wikipedia.org
All sources (5)
  1. Wikipedia (EN): Paxillus involutus en.wikipedia.org
  2. Wikipedia (EN): Agaricus bisporus en.wikipedia.org

Other colours

Last updated: Prepared by the Poros Mantar editorial teamReport a correction