We have been finding many distinctive mushrooms lately when we walk the dogs through nearby woods in Northern Minnesota. Scroll down for images and descriptions of some of the more interesting mushrooms. I am not an expert, so identifications of these mushrooms are best guesses with help from online resources like iNaturalist.
Deer Mushroom
(Pluteus cervinus)
Deer mushrooms are common in Minnesota, usually found growing on stumps or wood chips. I thought it was unusual to find this one growing right out of a downed fir tree. Deer mushrooms are edible, but not particularly tasty. Reportedly they taste somewhat like radish.
Inky Caps
(Coprinopsis atramentaria)
Inky caps are known for deliquescence, which is a process of self-digestion that turns them into black inky goo as they age. They are edible, but not desirable. Eating them while drinking alcohol is a bad idea. This results in particularly bad hangovers.
Honey Mushroom
(Armillaria mellea)
Honey mushrooms are bad news for trees. They are a plant pathogen that causes root rot that can kill trees. Some types of young honey mushrooms are edible if cooked thoroughly, but others are considered poisonous.
Brittlestems
(Candolleomyces candolleanus)
Brittlestems are small mushrooms typically found in lawns near trees. Again, these mushrooms are edible — but not desirable. They are too small and there are similar-looking poisonous species.
Scaly Caps
(Pholiota squarrosa)
These scaly cap mushrooms were growing out of a scarred area of a birch tree. This is another mushroom that a few people can tolerate eating but more commonly causes severe digestive upset. Like the inky caps, consuming these with alcohol is trouble. They are a favorite food of red squirrels though.
Tinder Polypore
(Fomes fomentarius)
This tinder polyphore fungus was found on a dead aspen tree. Seeing this growing on a living aspen is a sign the tree is in serious decline. As suggested by its name, this fungus has been used for many years as tinder for building fires. It was found with Otzi the 5000-year-old iceman, presumably to be used as tinder.
North MN Outdoors 