Fungi Associated
with Oaks (Quercus spp.)

Fungal Species
Scientific Name
& Common Name
Comments
Amanita daucipes
(Carrot Amanita)
ectomycorrhizal, poisonous
Amanita jacksonii
(American Slender Caesar)
ectomycorrhizal, edible
Boletus calopus
(Bitter Beech Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, not edible
Boletus firmus
(Firm Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, not edible
Boletus frostii
(Frost's Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, poisonous to some people
Boletus pulverulentus
(Inkstain Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, edible
Boletus rubellus
(Ruby Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, edible
Bulgaria inquinans
(Black Bulgar)
not edible, found on dead limbs, fallen branches, & logs
Calostoma cinnabarinum
(Red Aspic-Pullball)
ectomycorrhizal, not edible
Chlorocibaria aeruginascens
(Green Elfcup)
not edible, on fallen branches & woody fragments
Clavariadelphus americanus
(American Club)
ectomycorrhizal
Clitophilus prunulus
(The Miller)
edible
Cortinarius bolaris
(Dappled Webcap)
poisonous, found in acidic woodlands
Cortinarius iodes
(Viscid Violet Webcap)
not edible
Daedalea quercina
(Oak Mazegill)
not edible, found on stumps & logs
Evernia prunastri*
(Oakmoss Lichen)
not edible, found on living trees
Exidia glandulosa
(Witches' Butter)
not edible, found on dead attached branches
Fistulina hepatica
(Beefsteak Fungus)
edible while young, but sometimes sour; found on standing or fallen trunks; can cause heart rot
Ganoderma lucidum
(Lacquered Bracket)
not edible, found on standing or fallen wood; a weak parasite that can cause wood rot
Grifola frondosa
(Hen-of-the-Woods)
edible, found at the base of living & decaying trees
Gymnopus dryophilus
(Russet Toughshank)
probably edible
Gyroporus castaneus
(Chestnut Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, edible
Heimioporus betula
(Shaggy-Stalked Bolete)
edible
Hericium erinaceus
(Lion's Mane)
edible, tastes like lobster; found on older trees, on cut or fallen logs, or high up on standing trees
Hygrophorus russula
(Pinkmottle Woodwax)
ectomycorrhizal, edible
Inonotus hispidus
(Shaggy Bracket)
not edible, causes canker rot on living trees
Lactarius indigo
(Indigo Milkcap)
ectomycorrhizal, edible
Laetiporus sulphureus
(Chicken-of-the-Woods)
edible, but some people have a negative reaction; found on trunks & stumps of both living & dead trees; can cause wood rot
Leccinum aurantiacum
(Orange Oak Bolete)
edible, preferred host tree is oak or poplar
Omphalotus illudens
(Jack O'Lantern)
poisonous; found at base of trunks, stumps, or arising from roots in clusters
Phylloporus rhodoxanthus
(Gilled Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, edible
Pisolithus arhizus
(Dyeball)
ectomycorrhizal, not edible; pine is preferred host tree, found in dry sandy areas
Polyporus umbellatus
(Umbrella Polypore)
edible, found at base of living trees or among roots; causes rot
Pseudoinonotus dryadeus
(Oak Bracket)
not edible, found near base of living trees, causes butt & root rot
Russula vesca
(Bare-Toothed Brittlegill)
ectomycorrhizal, edible
Russula virescens
(Green-Cracked Brittlegill)
ectomycorrhizal, edible
Sebacina sparassoidea
(White Coral Jelly)
ectomycorrhizal, not edible
Strobilomyces strobilaceus
(Old-Man-of-the-Woods)
ectomycorrhizal, edible
Tricholoma magnivelare
(American Matsutake)
ectomycorrhizal, edible
Tricholoma sulphureum
(Sulfur Knight)
not edible
Tuber melanosporum
(Black Truffle)
ectomycorrhizal, very edible, found in soil or leaf litter; introduced into North America
Tylopilus alboater
(Black Velvet Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, edible
Tylopilus felleus
(Bitter Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, not edible
Urnula craterium
(Devil's Urn)
not edible; found on or alongside rotten, sometimes buried wood; can cause strumella canker in oaks

*This is a fungus in a symbiotic relationship with an alga (lichen).

Note: Most listed fungi also associate with other hardwood trees.

Source of Information: Roberts & Evans (2011)

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