Mushrooms in May

Morels, St George's mushroom and the first chicken of the woods. Early summer rain brings the first boletes in some areas. Our guide lists 11 species typically found in May, of which 4 are poisonous or deadly.

Based on typical timing in temperate Europe and North America. Local conditions vary a lot, and Southern Hemisphere seasons are about six months apart.

Safety first. Never eat a wild mushroom based on an app or a website. Confirm identification and edibility in person with a qualified local expert. Cooking, drying and freezing do not remove most mushroom toxins.

Deadly in May (2)

False morel Gyromitra esculenta Deadly

Funeral bell Galerina marginata Deadly

Poisonous in May (2)

Common ink cap Coprinopsis atramentaria Poisonous

Sulphur tuft Hypholoma fasciculare Poisonous

Edible with caution in May (5)

Morel Morchella esculenta Edible with caution

Chicken of the woods Laetiporus sulphureus Edible with caution

Sheathed woodtuft Kuehneromyces mutabilis Edible with caution

St George's mushroom Calocybe gambosa Edible with caution

Fairy ring champignon Marasmius oreades Edible with caution

Edible (expert ID) in May (2)

Shiitake Lentinula edodes Edible (expert ID)

Enoki Flammulina filiformis Edible (expert ID)

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Out foraging in May?

Photograph it with Mushie for possible matches, look-alike warnings and an AI guide for follow-up questions. Results are suggestions, never a safe-to-eat verdict.

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