From the iconic Fly Agaric to the toxic Destroying Angel, there are various Mushrooms That Look Like Umbrellas! Read on for the top picks!
Have you ever heard about mushrooms that look like umbrellas? Yes, they do exist and are quite fascinating. This article features some umbrella-shaped mushrooms and details about their shape and edibility status.
Mushrooms That Look Like Umbrellas
1. Destroying Angel Mushroom
Botanical Name – Amanita virosa
Edible Status – Highly Toxic
The round cap and long, slender stalk give this mushroom an umbrella-like appearance. This European fungus is highly poisonous to humans and even fatal.
2. Fairy Ring Mushroom
Botanical Name – Marasmius oreades
Edible Status – Edible
This umbrella-shaped fungus grows in a circular pattern, hence the name, fairy ring mushroom. It’s a common sight in lawns, meadows, and other grassy areas.
3. Parasol Mushroom
Botanical Name – Macrolepiota procera
Edible Status – Edible
Parasol mushroom is an edible fungus with a 7-20 cm wide brown cap, tan-hued crowded gills, and a long stem. Upon closer inspection, you can spot a double-edged ring on the stem.
4. Fly Agaric
Botanical Name – Amanita muscaria
Edible Status – Inedible (Poisonous)
Fly agaric is an iconic toadstool species that gained popularity after debuting in the ‘Mario’ and ‘The Smurfs’ franchises. Its umbrella-shaped fruiting bodies can become 6-8 inches tall in optimal growing conditions.
5. Prince Mushroom
Botanical Name – Agaricus augustus
Edible Status – Edible
Prince mushrooms look similar to an umbrella due to their dome-shaped caps and long stems. They are abundant in western North America, west of the Great Plains, and in some parts of northern Europe.
6. Field Mushroom
Botanical Name – Agaricus campestris
Edible Status – Edible
A member of the Agaricaceae family, this mushroom showcases a broad white cap and reddish-brown, crowded gills. It’s closely related to the popular button mushroom variety.
7. Blusher Mushroom
Botanical Name – Amanita rubescens
Edible Status – Inedible
Blusher mushroom boasts a brassy yellowish to pale brown cap with lots of tiny warts. It thrives abundantly under oaks, pines, and other conifers in summer and fall or over winter.
8. Sickener Mushroom
Botanical Name – Russula emetica
Edible Status – Poisonous
This mushroom stands out in the forest with its bright red cap and pure white stipe. Stay far away from this fungus because its consumption can cause severe gastrointestinal upset.
9. Violet Webcap
Botanical Name – Cortinarius violaceus
Edible Status – Edible
The violet webcap is popular among gardening enthusiasts for its dark purple cap that becomes brownish purple with age. Its slightly fragrant flesh is purple to lilac or purplish gray in shade.
10. Witch’s Hat Mushroom
Botanical Name – Hygrocybe conica
Edible Status – Unknown
The witch hat mushroom is a species of agaric and belongs to the Hygrophoraceae family. It showcases an orange-hued cap on a 3-8 cm long and 3-10 mm thick stem.