Do you know about Edible Mushrooms that Grow on Trees? Well, here are some tasty ones!
Mushrooms are not always part of the ground! Here are some edible ones that you can see growing on the bark of the trees in gardens and wild.
Most Toxic Mushrooms Found Easily in the Garden
Edible Mushrooms that Grow on Trees
1. Hen of the Woods
Scientific Name: Grifola frondosa
Native to North America, Europe, and Asia, Hen of the Woods, also known as maitake, has overlapping ruffled shape. It grows at the base of oak trees and offers an earthy flavor.
2. Lion’s Mane
Scientific Name: Hericium erinaceus
One of the most sought-after edible mushrooms is the lion’s mane. It gets its name from the cascading tendrils of growth. Look for them on wounded or dying oaks and maples.
3. Oyster Mushroom
Scientific Name: Pleurotus ostreatus
Oyster mushroom derives its name from its shell-like shape resembling an oyster. Sporting a gentle nutty flavor and velvety texture, it’s a versatile ingredient in culinary creations.
4. Black Trumpet
Scientific Name: Craterellus cornucopioides
The black trumpet has a horn-like shape and grayish-black color. It grows under oak and conifer trees and offers an intense earthy flavor.
5. Chicken Mushroom
Scientific Name: Laetiporus cincinnatus
Another edible relative of Chicken of the Woods, it has bright white caps and grows on burr oaks. This mushroom has a mild, slightly sweet taste.
6. Beech Mushroom
Scientific Name: Hypsizygus tessellatus
Native to Asia and North America, the Beech Mushroom, or Bunashimeji, is known for its delicate nutty flavor and distinctive clustered growth.
7. Reishi Mushroom
Scientific Name: Ganoderma lucidum
Known for its health benefits, the reishi mushroom has a glossy red cap and woody texture. It grows on plum, oak, and other hardwood trees.
8. Birch Polypore
Scientific Name: Piptoporus betulinus
Native to North America and Europe, Birch Polypore is an edible mushroom that grows on trees and features a substantial, flat body often exhibiting a white underside.
9. Enoki Mushroom
Scientific Name: Flammulina velutipes
In the wild, the enoki mushroom grows on elms, maples, and hackberry trees in temperate regions. It has tiny caps with a mild sweet flavor and crunchy texture.
10. Chanterelle
Scientific Name: Cantharellus cibarius
Chanterelles have yellow, funnel-shaped caps, and grow in clusters on decaying logs of trees. They have a peppery taste and aroma.
11. Velvet Shank
Scientific Name: Flammulina velutipes
Velvet Shank, also called Enokitake, is native to Asia and grows in clusters and has a mild, slightly fruity flavor. It prefers deciduous trees, particularly during colder months.
12. Chestnut Mushroom
Scientific Name: Pholiota adiposa
Found growing on wounds and cankers on chestnut tree bark, this mushroom has a reddish-brown cap and a bitter taste.
13. Chicken of the Woods
Scientific Name: Laetiporus sulphureus
Native to North America and Europe, chicken of the woods is one of the most recognizable oak mushrooms. It has a meaty texture and mild flavor reminiscent of chicken breast.
14. Matsutake
Scientific Name: Tricholoma matsutake
Originating from Asia, North America, and Europe, Matsutake, an edible mushroom that grows on trees. It has an aromatic, spicy aroma with a distinctive flavor.
15. Turkey Tail
Scientific Name: Trametes versicolor
Turkey tail gets its name from its brown-and-white banded caps. It grows in overlapping clusters on stumps and logs. Must be boiled before eating to remove bitterness.
16. Cauliflower Mushroom
Scientific Name: Sparassis crispa
As the name suggests, this mushroom looks like a head of cauliflower. It has wavy, brain-like lobes and grows at the base of pine trees and tastes nutty.
17. Shaggy Mane
Scientific Name: Coprinus comatus
The Shaggy Mane mushroom boasts a distinctive appearance with its tall, cylindrical cap that transforms through a unique “melting” process as it matures.
18. Elm Oyster
Scientific Name: Hypsizygus ulmarius
Found in Europe, North America, and Asia, Bitter Beech, also referred to as Elm Oyster, shares similarities with the beech mushroom but carries a subtle bitter undertone.
19. Lobster Mushroom
Scientific Name: Hypomyces lactifluorum
Despite its name, the lobster is not a mushroom at all, but rather a fungus that parasitizes other mushrooms, turning them bright red. It has a seafood flavor.
20. Blushing Bracket
Scientific Name: Daedaleopsis confragosa
Native to North America and Europe, Blushing Bracket stands out with its pinkish hues and grows on deceased hardwood trees. It is edible but often avoided due to its texture.
21. Berkeley’s Polypore
Scientific Name: Bondarzewia berkeleyi
This large shelf fungus can grow up to two feet across. Look for it at the base of oaks and conifers. It tastes nutty and meaty when cooked.
22. Beefsteak Fungus
Scientific Name: Fistulina hepatica
As its name suggests, beefsteak fungus looks like a slab of raw meat. It grows as a reddish mass on oak and chestnut trees. Cook properly before consuming.
