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Edible Mushrooms Found in Carlinville, Illinois

Carlinville, Illinois offers a bounty of edible mushrooms throughout the year. Illinois' temperate climate perfectly accommodates many well-known and some lesser-known varieties. Wild mushrooms are a healthy, natural addition to any diet. If you cannot positively identify a mushroom, do not consume it. Many mushrooms are poisonous and deadly.

Morel Mushrooms
- Morel mushrooms are highly sought-after for their culinary use and can fetch a hefty price for as little as a pound of mushrooms.
  
  Morel mushrooms, black, yellow and half-free species, can be found in Carlinville from the end of March through the end of May. They are hollow, sponge-capped in shape, and are usually found at the base of deciduous trees like oak, ash, sycamore and elm. Morels are commonly known as sponge mushrooms, dryland fish or hickory chickens.
Shiitake Mushrooms
- The shitake mushroom is one of the top-produced mushrooms in the world.
  
  Shiitake mushrooms can be found in this area from late January through February, when the weather is still quite cold and snowy. Shiitake mushrooms grow out of the trunks of inoculated oak trees. They are also known as black forest or Chinese black mushrooms. Their distinctive, umami, or Japanese for savory, flavor makes it a delicious addition to many recipes.
Chicken Mushrooms
- Chicken mushrooms can resemble sea fans or coral but are on land.
  
  Chicken mushrooms are bright yellow in color and shaped like lobes. They grow on tree trunks or logs, typically oak, yew, cherry wood or willow. They are common in the Carlinville area from May until November. It is also known as sulphur shelf or chicken of the woods. The individual "shelves" or layers of the mushroom run from 2 to 10 inches long and are made up of small, tubular filaments. They have a very delicate flavor and meaty texture.
Parasol Mushrooms
- Mushroom Collecting says the caps of the parasol mushroom taste like maple syrup.
  
  Parasol mushrooms can be harvested from late August through September. They have distinctive, tall, speckled stems topped by Hersey-kiss shaped caps with a rounded bump on top. They typically grow in shaded areas, such as the base of trees, in tall grasses and pastures. It is a versatile ingredient in many cuisines. The cap can grow quite large, up to 16 inches, which makes it great for making stuffed mushrooms.
Oyster Mushrooms
- Oyster mushrooms are often used in stir-fry dishes.
  
  Oyster mushrooms get their name from their oyster-like shape. They can be found mostly in September through the end of autumn. It often grows laterally, meaning without a stem. They are commonly known as abalone or tree mushrooms. They have a soft, chewy texture and rich flavor.

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