Here, you can find the images of 21 yellow mushroom species with their appearance and habitat, which will help you identify them. Keep reading.
Looking for mushrooms for photography or cooking natural foods can be a fun and exciting job. Meanwhile, yellow mushrooms are common and popular fungi. No matter whether you seek them for photography or cookery, you must identify yellow mushroom species.
Mushroom identification is as difficult as is popular and gets critical when you want to use them for cookery. In this post, I will provide you with the images and a brief overview of the appearance and habitat of 21 common yellow mushroom species, however, several other species may exist that I didn’t mention here. Hence, I strongly recommend before eating every mushroom, confer with an expert. Now, let’s start our journey to the world of yellow mushroom species.
Scientific name: Cantharellus cibarius
Botanical family: Cantharellaceae family
Toxicity: not-poisonous yellow mushroom species that is edible
Appearance: you will find it with a distinctive appearance. Golden chanterelle mushroom has a funnel-shaped cap with wavy edges (as you can see in the above picture). The cap can vary in size, ranging from 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 centimetres) in diameter.
The cap comes from golden yellow to orange-yellow on a thick, firm, and sturdy stalk that grows up to 4 inches (10 centimetres) tall.
Habitat:
You may find this yellow mushroom in North America, including the United States. Its favourite habitat is forests, particularly in deciduous and coniferous woodlands. Do you know why forests? Because it has a mycorrhizal association (a symbiotic relationship) with trees such as oak, pine, and spruce and relies on them for nutrient exchange.
The Golden Chanterelle Mushroom likes to grow in places with moist and well-drained soils and in shade. Regarding temperature, cool and damp conditions are perfect, so, often appears in late summer or early fall.
Scientific name: Cantharellus californicus
Botanical family: Cantharellaceae
Toxicity: An edible yellow mushroom that is non-poisonous.
Appearance: Another yellow mushroom species of Cantharellaceae family with a funnel-shaped cap that has a wavy or lobed margin. The cap grows up 2 to 8 inches (5 to 20 centimeters) in diameter. You may see the cap from yellow to brownish-yellow on a solid, cylindrical, and firm stalk. The stalk can grow up to 3 inches (7.5 centimetres) tall.
Habitat:
The Mud Puppy Mushroom is primarily found in California, USA. You can find it in coastal regions, particularly in mixed forests and woodlands. So, it grows in moist and sandy soils in shaded areas. You can find this yellow mushroom species in the cool and damp conditions of the rainy season.
Similar to the Golden chanterelle mushroom, it forms mycorrhizal associations with various tree species, including oak and pine for nutrient exchange.
Scientific name: Omphalotus illudens
Botanical family: Omphalotaceae family
Toxicity: this yellow mushroom is seriously poisonous
Appearance: The Jack-o-Lantern can be distinguished easily by its notable appearance. The Jack-o-Lantern Mushroom has a convex to flat cap that can grow up to 2 to 10 inches (5 to 25 centimetres) in diameter.
However, we consider it a yellow mushroom but its cap is often a bright orange to pumpkin orange in color. The stalk is central and can grow up to 4 inches (10 centimetres) tall and is slightly bulbous in base.
Habitat:
The Jack-o-Lantern Mushroom is common in the eastern United States on decaying hardwood logs or stumps in wooded areas such as forests and parks. It has a saprobic relationship with dead organic matter, aiding in the decomposition process. Although this yellow mushroom species is very toxic, it plays an important role in temperate forest ecosystems.
Scientific name: Amanita flavoconia
Botanical family: Amanitaceae family
Toxicity: this yellow mushroom species is suspected to be toxic, so, please avoid eating it.
Appearance: Another yellow mushroom with a convex to flat cap. Its cap can grow up to 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimetres) in diameter. A distinctive thing about this yellow mushroom species is its yellow (or orange-yellow) cap which is covered with small patches or flakes. The stalk is cylindrical and can reach 4 inches (10 centimetres) tall.
Habitat:
The Yellow Patches Mushroom is one of the common yellow mushroom species in the United States, particularly in forests, woodlands, and grassy areas of northeastern regions. It often appears in late summer or early fall in well-drained soils.
Scientific name: Amanita flavorubens
Botanical family: Amanitaceae family
Toxicity: there is a belief that if you cook it well you can eat it but you should be cautious.
Appearance: The Yellow American Blusher Mushroom has a convex to flat cap that grows up to 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 centimetres) in diameter. its yellow to orange-yellow cap is covered with small patches or flakes (as seen in the picture). Its cylindrical stalk usually grows up to 4 inches (10 centimetres) tall.
Habitat:
As its name suggests, the Yellow American Blusher Mushroom is found in North America, including the forests, woodlands, and grassy areas of the United States with well-drained soils and plenty of sunlight. You can find it usually in fall with its bright yellow cap and stem.
Scientific name: Hydnum repandum
Botanical family: Hydnaceae family
Toxicity: Although this mushroom is considered as a non-toxic mushroom, the mature ones have a bitter taste
Appearance: The Wood Hedgehog Mushroom has a convex to flat cap that comes in creamy white to yellowish-brown colours. It is covered with spiny or tooth-like projections and can grow up to 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 centimeters) in diameter. Its central stalk can grow up to 4 inches (10 centimetres) tall.
Habitat:
It is one of the most widespread yellow mushroom species in North America, including the coniferous and deciduous forests of the United States. You often find it under trees due to it has a mycorrhizal association with various tree species such as oak, beech, and pine. So, The Wood Hedgehog Mushroom likes to thrive in shaded areas with well-drained soils.
Scientific name: Bolbitius titubans
Botanical family: Bolbitiaceae family
Toxicity: non-poisonous and is edible
Appearance: you can easily distinguish this yellow mushroom species with its convex to bell-shaped cap that is usually yellow to golden-yellow. It also has a slender, cylindrical, and fragile stalk (about 4 inches tall) and its cap can grow up to 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 centimetres) on it.
Habitat:
The Yellow Fieldcap Mushroom is commonly found in North America, including well-drained soils of the United States. Due to its saprobic relationship with dead organic matter, you can find it in grassy areas, meadows, and woods.
Scientific name: Pleurotus citrinopileatus
Botanical family: Pleurotaceae family
Toxicity: non-poisonous and it is edible
Appearance: A unique appearance of The Golden Oyster Mushroom features a fan-shaped cap that can vary in size (from 2 to 8 inches (5 to 20 centimetres) in diameter). This yellow mushroom species has a yellow to golden-yellow cap on a lateral stalk and is often absent or very short.
Habitat:
However, this edible yellow mushroom species is native to Asia but is now widely cultivated in North America. It naturally grows on dead or dying hardwood trees, logs, and stumps in warm and humid areas. It is one of the yellow mushrooms that can be cultivated indoors or outdoors. It prefers decaying wood, particularly hardwoods such as oak and beech.
Having this stunning yellow mushroom in your garden can be ideal for pet-friendly gardens.
Scientific name: Hygrocybe flavescens
Botanical family: Hygrophoraceae family
Toxicity: non-poisonous
Appearance: The Golden Waxcap Mushroom has a convex to bell-shaped bright yellow cap that can grow up to 0.5 to 2 inches (1.2 to 5 centimetres) in diameter on a slender, cylindrical, and fragile stalk.
Habitat:
Habitat: The Golden Waxcap Mushroom is native to North America. Due to its saprobic relationship with dead organic matter, you can find it in grassy areas, meadows, and open woodlands of the United States. The best time to photograph its bright yellow cap is late summer to early fall.
Scientific name: Tremella mesenterica
Botanical family: Tremellaceae family
Toxicity: non-poisonous
Appearance: A yellow to orange-yellow mushroom with a very distinctive appearance (no distinct cap or stalk structure). The Witch’s Butter Mushroom has a gelatinous, jelly-like body. You can find it in various shapes and sizes.
Habitat:
Habitat: The habitat of the Witch’s Butter Mushroom can be dead or dying hardwood trees and stumps in North America and has a parasitic relationship with other fungi, such as the crust fungus.
Scientific name: Tremella aurantia
Botanical family: Tremellaceae family
Toxicity: non-poisonous
Appearance: The Golden Ear Mushroom has a gelatinous bright orange-yellow structure that can reach sizes of 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 centimetres) in diameter.
Scientific name: Naematelia aurantia
Botanical family: Tremellaceae family
Toxicity: non-poisonous
Appearance: The Golden Ear Mushroom has a unique appearance. It has a jelly-like, ear-shaped cap that can reach sizes of 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 centimetres) in diameter. The cap is typically bright orange-yellow. The stalk is rudimentary or absent.
Habitat:
You can find this yellow mushroom species on decaying wood, particularly hardwoods such as oak and beech in North America because it has a saprobic relationship with decaying wood.
💡 How to distinguish three yellow mushroom species Tremella aurantia, Tremella mesenterica, and Naematelia aurantia? You can easily distinguish them by their host preference:
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Scientific name: Leucocoprinus birnbaumii
Botanical family: Agaricaceae family
Toxicity: poisonous
Appearance: The convex to bell-shaped cap of this yellow mushroom species can range from 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 centimetres) in diameter. Its cap is often bright yellow and located on top of a cylindrical, slender, and fragile stalk that can grow up to 4 inches (10 centimetres) tall.
Habitat:
It is one of the common white or yellow mushrooms that grows in houseplants. The Flowerpot Parasol Mushroom loves warmer climates, so often thrives in the southern United States in late summer to early fall. However, you can find it in potted plants and greenhouses from up and down the country.
Growing this yellow mushroom (or other indoor mushrooms such as white or brown mushrooms) in your potted plant is not bad due to it has a saprobic relationship with dead organic matter. Some people believe growing mushrooms in houseplants is good luck.
Scientific name: Clavulinopsis fusiformis
Botanical family: Clavariaceae family
Toxicity: non-poisonous
Appearance: Another yellow mushroom species with a unique appearance. The Golden Spindle Mushroom has a spindle-shaped bright yellow cap that can grow up to 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 centimetres) in height. You cannot find a distinct stalk structure in it.
Habitat:
If you are interested in photography of a Golden Spindle Mushroom, you can find it on decaying hardwoods, particularly beech trees in North America, including the United States. It is due to their saprobic relationship with decaying wood. late summer to early fall can be the best time for seeking this wonderful yellow mushroom species.
Scientific name: Hypholoma fasciculare
Botanical family: Strophariaceae family
Toxicity: poisonous
Appearance: The Sulfur Tuft Mushroom has a convex to flat cap in a bright sulfur-yellow colour that can grow up to 0.5 to 2 inches (1.2 to 5 centimetres) in diameter on a central stalk (about 3 inches (7.5 centimetres) tall).
Habitat:
The Sulfur Tuft Mushroom thrives in well-drained soils and shaded areas of North America. They often grow on decaying hardwoods, conifers, and stumps and have a saprobic relationship with decaying wood.
Scientific name: Suillus americanus
Botanical family: Suillaceae family
Toxicity: non-poisonous
Appearance: The Chicken Fat Mushroom has a convex to flat cap that comes in yellow to orangish-brown colour. Its cap can reach up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) in diameter that resembling a chicken fat. Its stalk is central and covered with a yellowish slime layer.
Habitat:
The Chicken Fat Mushroom grows on the roots of coniferous trees, particularly pines in North America. It is due to its mycorrhizal relationship with coniferous trees that aids them in nutrient exchange.
Scientific name: Laetiporus sulphureus
Botanical family: Fomitopsidaceae family
Toxicity: however, it is considered as non-poisonous but several adverse reactions are reported.
Appearance: People call this yellow mushroom species “Chicken of the Woods Mushroom” because they form a colony of large, overlapping clusters of fan-shaped caps. Its large caps can grow up to 20 inches (2.5 to 50 centimeters) in diameter.
Another distinguished characteristic of it is the bright yellow to orange-yellow caps that are smooth and whitish on the lower surface, in addition, this yellow mushroom species doesn’t have a distinct stalk structure.
Habitat:
Habitat: The Chicken of the Woods Mushroom is found in warm and humid areas of North America and because of its saprobic relationship with decaying wood, often grows on dead or dying hardwoods, particularly oaks.
Scientific name: Pholiota flammans
Botanical family: Cortinariaceae family
Toxicity: not edible
Appearance: The Yellow Pholiota Mushroom with its yellow to golden-yellow convex to flat cap is another yellow mushroom species in our list. In the right conditions, the caps can grow up to 3 inches (7.5 centimetres) in diameter and they are covered with fine scales or fibrils.
As the mushroom ages, the cap becomes more flattened and develops a central depression. The stalk is yellow and cylindrical slightly enlarged at the base and can grow up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) tall.
Habitat:
You can find the Yellow Pholiota Mushroom on dead or decaying wood, particularly hardwoods such as oak and maple in North America. This yellow mushroom species has a saprobic relationship with decaying wood.
Scientific name: Cortinarius delibutus
Botanical family: Cortinariaceae family
Toxicity: poisonous
Appearance: The yellow to golden-yellow cap of the Yellow Webcap Mushroom is convex to bell-shaped and grows up to 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 centimetres) in diameter. The cap is on a cylindrical stalk that is often covered with a web-like veil. The stalk can grow up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) tall.
Habitat:
The Habitat of Yellow Webcap Mushrooms is in the forests, woodlands, and grassy areas of North America and has a mycorrhizal relationship with certain tree species. You can find it in the fall with its bright yellow colour and spider web-like veil.
Scientific name: Russula ochroleuca
Botanical family: Russulaceae family
Toxicity: poisonous
Appearance: The yellow cap of the Common Yellow Russula is convex to flat and you may see cracks or grooves on it with age. The cap often grows between 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 centimetres) in diameter on a cylindrical white or yellow stalk with 4 inches (10 centimetres) height.
Habitat:
Due to the mycorrhizal relationship of the Common Yellow Russula Mushroom with certain tree species, its habitat is mixed forests, woodlands, and grassy areas of North America.
Scientific name: Cyptotrama asprata
Botanical family: Marasmiaceae family
Toxicity: inedible
Appearance: The golden-yellow cap of the Golden Scruffy Collybia Mushroom is usually covered with scruffy or scaly patches. This yellow mushroom species has a convex to flat cap that can grow between 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 centimetres) in diameter. The caps are on top of a slender, cylindrical stalk that is often whitish or yellowish.
Habitat:
You may find this yellow mushroom species on decaying hardwoods, particularly beech trees in North America, including the United States because of its saprobic relationship with decaying wood. It often appears in late summer or early fall with a scruffy appearance and bright yellow colour.
If you didn’t find your intended yellow mushroom in the above list, I recommend using a free online tool for mushroom identification. One of them that I tested, is the “House plant Identifier”. It not only can identify plants (including trees, flowers, ornamental, wild, and indoor plants) but can also identify mushrooms and plant diseases. Thanks to it.
The “House Plant Identifier” can identify your yellow mushroom species in only 2 seconds with high accuracy and working with it is very easy. after entering its website, you can take an online picture of your mushroom (or upload it from your gallery) and then click on the “Start” button. Finished.
Yellow mushrooms give a touch of vibrant to the environment with various shapes and sizes. Some of them are edible and most are poisonous. Identifying yellow mushroom species is important, so I provided a collection of 21 of them here. you found them with their images and habitat. Did you identify your intended yellow mushroom? What was its name?
Have you ever used online tools for mushroom identification? The “House plant identifier” can do it. have you ever experienced it? please tell our readers about your e
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.