Honey Mushrooms

Honey Mushroom was formerly considered an extremely variable species with a very broad distribution and a wide host range. It was the only species in the genus Armillaria. Spore tests were conducted to see which fungi would “mate”. If they mated, they were the same species. The tests resulted in splitting Armillaria mellea into 35 species worldwide. Subsequent DNA studies in 2012 and 2013 upheld the results of the mating tests. Nine of these species occur in North America. One of them was transferred to the new genus Desarmillaria. Identification in the field from morphological features is difficult at best and may not always be possible. For that reason, the species are are often treated as a species group.

Honey Mushroom usually appears in small to massive clusters on stumps or logs, on the lower trunk of living trees, or on the ground on tree roots; occasionally solitary on the ground.

On young mushrooms the gills are enveloped in a protecting, Kleenex-like, cottony, membranous tissue (partial veil). At maturity, the veil breaks up to release the spores. Remnants of the veil usually remain as a ring near the top of the stalk. There are sometimes fragments of the veil clinging to the rim of mature mushrooms.

The cap is 1¼″ to 6″ in diameter and convex at first. With age it may become broadly convex or flat, with or without a raised “bump” in the center, or convex with uplifted margins. The cap color is extremely variable. It may be yellowish-brown (honey colored), reddish-brown, pinkish-brown, tan, or some similar color. There are usually tiny brown scales, most dense in the center and more or less radiating outward.

The flesh is thick. It is white when young, sometimes becoming pale tan with age. It is edible and tastes mild when cooked but bitter when raw.

The stalk is tough, fibrous, 2″ to 8″ long, and 3 ⁄16″to 2″ in diameter. When clustered, the stalk tapers to the base. When solitary, the stalk is enlarged at the base. It is smooth, dry, and whitish above the ring, reddish-brown or yellowish below. When young it is often covered with cottony scales.

The gills are white when young, becoming yellowish or flesh-colored, then brown or with dark spots in age. They are usually broadly attached and may slightly run down the stalk. Occasionally they are notched at the base.

The spores are white. In mature clusters, white spore dust is usually visible on top of the lower caps.

Sources

4, 24, 26, 29, 30, 77.

These mushroom were everywhere on the trail. If edible, someone could have a full meal.

Growing like mad near my home.

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Location: Martin County, Fairmont, MN

Location: Ely MN

Location: Cass County

Location: Aitkin, MN

Growing like mad near my home.

Location: Tamarack Nature Center

Location: Walker, MN

I am wondering if these are Honey Mushrooms. The grew in the same place last Fall too.

Location: Brainard, Minnesota, USA