Ten of the Worlds Most Amazing and Unusual Mushrooms

Most of us have seen at least one or two different mushrooms and fungi (Yes, they are the same thing) in the woods or in our own gardens, but I almost guarantee you would not have seen any of the ten on this list. These are some of the worlds craziest, weirdest and most unusual mushrooms you will ever see and some of them look like they have come from an alien planet! If you find fungi fun, you will enjoy this post for sure…

Pennsylvania. (Boletus campestris)

These mushrooms grow in late spring and summer on the ground in the upland woods, often at the edges of trails. Often seen after late spring and summer rains and despite being quite a vivid colour and look are in fact edible! Much like the entoloma hochstetteri edible means 100% edible so even the stalk can be eaten!

Toronto. (Lactarius indigo)

This amazing Mushroom that is often called blue milk mushroom is mostly seen growing in North America, East Asia, and Central America. And once again despite the amazingly vivid colours that often warning of how poisonous it is, it’s is in fact completely edible! But these are not to be confused with the sky blue mushroom entoloma hochstetteri that is in fact poisonous.

Mexico. (Clathrus ruber)

Often called “the football mushroom” you wouldn’t want to kick it to a friend because the interior surfaces are all coated with a foul-smelling slime that attracts flies and other insects and if this is sprayed over someone they would be like an instant lunch for insects. You don’t need me to tell you this but they are 100% non-edible. There are some amazing fungi in the world that is for sure.

North Wales (Laccaria amethystina)

Sounding like some sort of assassin the “Amethyst Deceiver” is a small brightly coloured mushroom that grows in deciduous as well as coniferous forests. Because its bright amethyst colour fades with age and weathering, it is very difficult to identify it and sadly that is how it gets its name ‘Deceiver’. But despite the deadly name the top of it is, in fact, edible and makes an amazing mushroom sauce, but not the stalk which is quite bitter to the taste.

Arizona. (Hydnellum peckii)

Often called “The Bleeding Tooth mushroom” Hydnellum peckii is a hydnoid species, producing spores on the surface of vertical spines or tooth-like projections that hang from the underbelly of the main stalk It is found in North America, South America, Europe and was recently discovered in Iran. And you hardly need me to tell you this one but they are VERY deadly even to touch and 100% non-edible

Central America. (Macrocybe Titans)

Macrocybe titans is a species of mushroom that had the claim to fame of being called “The World’s biggest Mushroom” it grows in mostly grassy areas in tropical and subtropical habitats and the best bit is that it’s 100% edible! There are even stories I have read that say that this is used as an amazing mushroom toy.

UK (Hygrocybe helobia)

These amazing brightly coloured shiny mushrooms are often described as the orchids of the fungi world. They are found on lawns and grassy churchyards or most normally grass that has never had any artificial fertilisers applied to it and are 100% non-edible so no looking for any amazing mushroom recipe for this one!

Africa. (Dictyophora indusiata)

Often called “The Veiled Lady” the fruit body of the fungus is characterised by a conical to a bell-shaped cap on a stalk and a delicate “lace skirt” that hangs from beneath the cap and reaches nearly to the ground. Once again you don’t really need me to tell you that this is deadly to touch and should never be eaten.

New Zealand. (Entoloma hochstetteri)

This stunning species of mushroom can be found in New Zealand and India and is a very distinctive bright blue colour, while the gills have a slight reddish tint from the spores! This Mushroom is in fact so famous it was featured on the back of a $50 NZ bank-note! You know this already but it is 100% non-edible

Borneo. (Neonothopanus gardneri)

Found In a forest in Brazil researchers only recently (2008) found a glow-in-the-dark mushroom not seen since 1840! The long-forgotten fungus had to be reclassified, but scientists are still trying to determine just what makes the mysterious mushroom glow but they do know that it is 100% non-edible. But imagine an amazing mushroom soup that glows in the dark!!! Now that would be cool.