Wild edible mushrooms are healthy, tasty, and fun to find! As always, wild mushrooms should be cleaned and inspected thoroughly before they are ready to be cooked. You also must be completely certain that the mushrooms have been identified correctly. Below, we’ll highlight two of the most unique-looking mushrooms that Northern California has to offer!

Orange Peel Fungus (Aleuria Aurantia)

It’s tough to find a mushroom that is as eye grabbing as the Orange Peel Fungus. These mushrooms are bright orange and cup-shaped. They are named Orange Peel Fungus because of their resemblance to the exterior of an orange.

This fungus likes to grow in areas where the soil has been disturbed. Interestingly, Orange Peel Fungus mushrooms are tertiary decomposers. This means that they rely on other mushrooms to break down organic materials in order for it to further break down molecules. As such, you’ll likely find them growing around other kinds of mushrooms. With some luck, you might be able to bring home an additional edible mushroom species when you spot a group of Orange Peel Fungus!

Despite its unique and appetizing appearance, Orange Peel Fungus does not have a ton to offer in terms of flavor. However, this does not mean that they aren’t worth scooping up when you see them. While they might be lacking in the flavor department, these edible mushrooms can still be used to improve the texture and appearance of a meal.

Lion’s Mane Mushrooms (Hericium Erinaceus)

The Lion’s Mane mushroom is another species of wild edible fungi that really stands out. It’s one of the easiest wild edible mushrooms to identify due to its incredibly unique appearance. This means it’s a great one for beginner mushroom foragers to start with! Lion’s Mane mushrooms have long white spines that grow downwards. This forms a cluster that resembles a white beard or a group of icicles. It really does look different than any other kind of mushroom!

Lion’s Mane mushrooms are best known for their medicinal properties. Their extract helps reduce inflammation, lowers the risk of heart disease, aids the nervous system, and much more. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years!

Although best known as a medicinal mushroom, Lion’s Mane mushrooms are also delicious. Once they’ve been cooked in a pan, you can enjoy their seafood-like taste and texture. This opens up a number of culinary possibilities, as this is one of few mushrooms that can truly be used as a crab or lobster replacement.

It’s always fun to expand your mushroom portfolio with new kinds of intriguing edible fungi. Both the Orange Peel Fungus and the Lion’s Mane mushroom are great ones to try out. The plethora of wild edible mushrooms in Northern California makes it one of the best mushroom foraging spots in the country. Plus, the climate lends to a significantly longer mushroom season!

Want to find your own? We have mushroom foraging classes all season in Marin, Sonoma, and the Santa Cruz Mountains.