Species guide
Jack-o'-lantern mushroom
Toxic if eatenOmphalotus olearius
How to recognise it
A vivid orange mushroom that grows in clumps on wood and stumps, with true sharp gills running down the stem. Its gills can glow faintly in the dark.
Is it dangerous?
Toxic — causes severe cramps and vomiting. It's the classic dangerous mimic that catches people hoping they've found chanterelles.
Commonly confused with
- Chanterelle — grows singly from soil, has blunt ridged false gills
What to do
Don't eat it. Learn the differences from chanterelle and confirm any find with an expert.
Never decide what's safe to eat or touch from a photo or a web page. Identification here is for learning and curiosity only. For anything you might eat, handle or that could harm you or a pet, consult a qualified local expert — and seek medical or veterinary care if exposure has happened.
Recorded 3,261 times in the wild worldwide.
Think you've spotted one?
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