Mushrooms of the Chicago region

IMPORTANT!!!!!! This site is NOT intended to be a resource for determining edibility of wild mushrooms. DO NOT EAT ANY WILD MUSHROOMS BASED ON INFORMATION ON THIS WEB PAGE! Unless you are absolutely certain that a wild mushroom is an edible species, just look, don't eat!!! Join a local mycological group and learn which ones are safe or poisonous from knowledgable people.

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This is not intended to be a guide to the Chicago area fungi by any stretch of the imagination, but simply a selection of digital photos showing some of the mushrooms and a few wildflowers that I have found in the Chicago, Illinois, USA region.

My primary interest in mushrooms is as food, or mycophagy. However, as I learn more about them, I find my interest in mycology is increasing. I am a member of the Illinois Mycological Association (IMA). See the link to our website below.

All content © 1999, 2000 John Denk, all rights reserved. Contact me for permission to use any of my images.

My other sites I am also a fan of fractal art. To see some examples of my work, go to my Digital Art site. And next is my page where I post pictures of mushrooms that I am having a particular problem identifying. Take a look and let me know if you can identify it. Updated whenever I get stumped again.

Email If you would like to send me email, address it to John Denk at jpdenk@yahoo.com .

Laetiporus sulphureus

The Sulfur Shelf, named for it's sulfur-yellow pore surface. It's a choice edible for most people, but some, including me, experience gastrointestinal distress as a result of eating this species.

Lycoperdon pyriforme?

Here are some old Lycoperdons, probably pyriforme, I think. Site is Kettle Moraine State Park in SE Wisconsin, which isn't quite the Chicago area, but it's pretty close.

Polyporus squamosus

Some large Dryad's Saddles, one of my favorite edibles when young and tender. The unusual watermelon rind flavor and smell puts some people off, but I like them. Photographed in the St. Mihiel Preserve, Cook County, IL.