List of Edible Mushrooms in British Columbia

IN PROGRESS. THIS LIST IS INCOMPLETE.

"Edibility" is highly relative.ย 

Match all identifying features. Use multiple sources. Consult an expert.ย 

Key:

Note: No mushroom is completely "safe". Hunt, identify and consume all mushrooms with caution! Read Our Mushroom Safety Guide.ย 

Cantharellus sp. (Chanterelles)

Morchella sp. (Morels)


Source: For More Information on Morel Species in Western North America and the Pacific Northwest.

Warning:

False morels can be deadly poisonous

Morels should always be cooked before being eaten. They should also be cooked in a well-ventilated area as they give off toxic fumes.ย 

Laetiporus sp. (Chicken of the Woods)

Warning:

Chicken of the woods is known to cause gastric upset in some. Eat only the softest outer portion of the fruiting body.ย 

Hericium sp.

Sparassis radicata (Cauliflower Mushroom) ๐Ÿ˜Š

Note: Sparassis crispa is the European variety

Hydnum sp. (Hedgehog Mushrooms)

Pseudohydnum gelatinosum (Jelly Tooth, Cat's Tongue) ๐Ÿ˜Š

Guepiniopsis alpina (Jelly Cup, Alpine Jelly Cone, Poor Man's Gumdrop) ๐Ÿ˜Š

Guepinia helvelloides (Apricot Jelly) ๐Ÿ˜Š

Tremella mesenterica (Yellow Brain Fungus, Witch's Butter) ๐Ÿ˜Š

Tremella aurantia (Golden Ear) ๐Ÿ˜Š

Dacrymyces chrysospermus (Orange Jelly) ๐Ÿ˜Š

Lepista nuda (Wood Blewit), formerly Clitocybe nuda ๐Ÿ˜Š

Agaricus sp.ย 

Craterellus sp.

Warning:

Winter chanterelles are superficially similar to other small, bright mushrooms, which may be poisonous.ย 

However, after a positive find or two, they can be easy to identify.ย 

Pollyozellus multiplex (Black Chanterelle, Blue Chanterelle) ๐Ÿ˜Š

Chlorophyllum sp. (Shaggy Parasol)

Coprinus comatus (Lawyer's Wig, Shaggy Mane, Shaggy Ink Cap) ๐Ÿ˜Š

Gomphidius subroseus (Rosy Gomphidius) ๐Ÿ˜Š

Gomphidius glutinosus (Slimy Spike Cap) ๐Ÿ˜Š

Gomphus clavatus (Pig's Ears) ๐Ÿ˜Š

Lactarius sp.

Tricholoma murrillianumย  (Pine, Western Matsutake) ๐Ÿ˜ญ

Warning:

Extra care should be taken not to confuse pine/matsutake mushrooms with the poisonous Smith's amanita (Amanita smithiana).

Sarcomyxa serotinaย  (Late Oyster, Fall Oyster), formerly Panellus serotinusย  ๐Ÿ˜Š?

Pleurotus sp. (Oyster Mushrooms)

Pleurotus porrigens (Angel Wings), also Pleurocybella or Pleurotellus porrigensย  ๐Ÿ˜Š / โš ๏ธ?

Note: Some recent concerns raised about potential toxicity.ย 

Boletus edulis (Cep, Porcini, Penny Bun, King Bolete) โš ๏ธ

(Aureo)Boletus mirabilis (Admirable Bolete, Bragger's Bolete, Velvet Top) โš ๏ธย 

Xerocomellus zelleri, also Boletus zelleri (Zeller's Bolete) โš ๏ธ

Boletes and other polypores (Suillus, Leccinum, etc.) are generally hard to distinguish and some varieties can cause severe gastric upset. Naming conventions and classifications are still being settled.ย 

Suillus luteus (Slippery Jack) โš ๏ธ

Suillus grevillei (Larch Bolete) โš ๏ธ๏ธ

Suillus lakei (Matte Jack, Western Painted Suillus)โš ๏ธ

Most Suillus mushrooms are considered edible, although the slime on their caps can cause diarrhea when eaten fresh.

Marasmius oreades (Fairy Ring Mushroom) โš ๏ธ

Lycoperdon perlatum (common puffball) โš ๏ธ

Lycoperdon pyriforme (stump puffball, pear-shaped puffball) โš ๏ธ

While puffballs are usually quite easy to identify, care should be taken not to confuse them with poisonous amanita mushrooms that are still encased in their volva.

Vascellum pratense (meadow puffball)

Laccaria laccata (Deceiver, common laccaria)

Laccaria amethysteo-occidentalis (amethyst laccaria)

Lyophyllum decastes (fried chicken, clustered domecap) other L. multiceps, clitocybe multiceps, tricholoma aggregatum

Russula brevipes (short-stemmed russula, stubby brittlegill

Russula cascadensis (cascade russula)

xerampelina Shrimp Russula