Approved Mushroom Identifications by State
State-by-State Approved Species Lists
Includes Additional Health Safety Protocols (Updated 12/17/2021)
Below you will find listings of approved mushroom identifications and requirements for each of the 8 states in which we provide licensing and certification. In our years of experience, we have found that the best way to learn how to identify mushrooms in the wild is to spend time learning and searching with other mycophiles. Come join us to begin your journey of identification!
Enroll in Mushroom Identification Classes
SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, RHODE ISLAND
- Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp. Exception C. persicinus)
- Morels (Morchella spp.)
- Black trumpet (Craterellus fallax)
- Lobster (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
- Wood ears (Auricularia spp.)
- Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus spp. Exception L. persicinus)
- Beefsteak (Fistulina hepatica)
- Hedgehog (Hydnum repandum, H. albomagnum)
- Lions mane / Pom Pom / Bearded tooth / Bear’s head (Hericium spp.)
- Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp. Exception Pleurotus levis, P. dryinus)
- Cauliflower (Sparassis spp.)
- Maitake / Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)
- Blewit (Lepista nuda)
- Honey mushroom (Armillaria mellea, A. tabescens)
- Blue milky (Lactarius indigo)
- Golden and burgundy milkies (Lactifluus corrugis, L.volemus, L. hygrophoroides)
- Pecan truffle (Tuber spp.)
SC & RI Requirements: Harvest Log, Tracking numbers on Boxes and Invoices. Restaurants retain records for 30 days.
GA Requirements: Harvest Log, Tracking numbers on Boxes and Invoices. Restaurants retain records for 90 days
ALABAMA
Only the following wild harvested mushroom species may be offered for sale or service in a food service establishment:
- Beefsteak (Fistulina hepatica)
- Black Trumpet (Craterellus fallax)
- Blewits (Lepista nuda)
- Blue Milky (Lactarius indigo)
- Cauliflower (Sparassis spp.)
- Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp. Exception C. persicinus)
- Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus spp. Exception L. persicinus)
- Golden and Burgundy Milkies (Lactifluus corrugis, L.volemus, L. hygrophoroides)
- Green Quilted Russula (Russula virescens, R. parvovirescens, R. crustosa)
- Hedgehog (Hydnum repandum, H. albomagnum)
- Honey mushrooms (Armillaria mellea, A.tabescens)
- Lions Mane or Pom Pom or Bearded tooth or Bear’s head (Hericium spp.)
- Lobster (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
- Maitake or Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)
- Morels (Morchella spp.)
- Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus spp. Exception Pleurotus levis, P. dryinus)
- Pecan Truffle (Tuber spp.)
- Puffballs (Lycoperdon spp., Calvatia spp.)
- Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma curtisii, G. tsugae, G. sessile)
- Shaggy mane (Coprinus comatus)
- Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor)
- Umbrella Polypore (Cladomeris umbellata)
- Wood Ears (Auricularia spp.)
AL Requirements: Restaurants apply for and receive a variance approval to use wild harvested mushrooms, Buyers Specification Record attached to container of mushrooms. Restaurants retain records for 90 days.
Rules oF Alabama State Board Of Health Bureau Of Environmental Services Chapter 420-3-22 For Food Esstablishment Sanitation: https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/environmental/assets/foodrules2020.pdf
NORTH CAROLINA
- Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp. Exception C. persicinus)
- Morels (Morchella spp.)
- Black trumpet (Craterellus fallax)
- Lobster (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
- Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus spp. Exception L. persicinus)
- Beefsteak (Fistulina hepatica)
- Hedgehog (Hydnum repandum, H. albomagnum)
- Lions mane / Pom Pom / Bearded tooth / Bear’s head (Hericium spp.)
- Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp. Exception Pleurotus levis, P. dryinus)
- Cauliflower (Sparassis spp.)
- Maitake / Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)
- Honey mushroom (Armillaria mellea, A. tabescens)
- Blue milky (Lactarius indigo)
- Golden and burgundy milkies (Lactifluus corrugis, L.volemus, L. hygrophoroides)
- Puffballs (Lycoperdon spp., Calvatia spp.)
NC Requirements: Harvest Log, NC Wild Mushroom Verification Form (Forager is approved at Health Department). TAGS available at health department for attaching to boxes. Restaurants retain a copy of verification form and tags for 90 days after purchase.
Verification Form: https://ehs.ncpublichealth.com/docs/forms/WildMushroomBuyerVerificationForm-FINAL-May2017.pdf
Link to Position Statements: https://ehs.ncpublichealth.com/docs/position/WildForagedMushroomPositionStatement-FINAL-May12-2017.pdf
VIRGINIA
- Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp. Exception C. persicinus)
- Morels (Morchella spp.)
- Black trumpet (Craterellus fallax)
- Lobster (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
- Wood ears (Auricularia spp.)
- Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus spp. Exception L. persicinus)
- Beefsteak (Fistulina hepatica)
- Hedgehog (Hydnum repandum, H. albomagnum)
- Lions mane / Pom Pom / Bearded tooth / Bear’s head (Hericium spp.)
- Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp. Exception Pleurotus levis, P. dryinus)
- Cauliflower (Sparassis spp.)
- Maitake / Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)
- Blewit (Lepista nuda)
- Honey mushroom (Armillaria mellea, A. tabescens)
- Blue milky (Lactarius indigo)
- Golden and burgundy milkies (Lactifluus corrugis, L.volemus, L. hygrophoroides)
- Pecan truffle (Tuber spp.)
- Puffballs (Lycoperdon spp., Calvatia spp.)
- Bolete species: King bolete / Cep / Porcini (Boletus edulis, B. chippewaensis)
- Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
- Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma curtisii, G. tsugae, G. sessile)
- Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor)
VA Requirements: Harvest Log, Tracking numbers on Boxes and Invoices. Restaurants retain records for 90 days once container is emptied.
Wild Mushroom Harvester Application: http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/mushroom-harvester-application.pdf
Wild Mushroom Retail Sales Application: http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/mushroom-retail-application.pdf
PENNSYLVANIA
- Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp. Exception C. persicinus)
- Blue chanterelle (Polyozellus multiplex)
- Morels (Morchella spp.)
- Black trumpet (Craterellus fallax)
- Lobster (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
- Wood ears (Auricularia spp.)
- Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus spp. Exception L. persicinus)
- Beefsteak (Fistulina hepatica)
- Hedgehog (Hydnum repandum, H. albomagnum)
- Lions mane / Pom Pom / Bearded tooth / Bear’s head (Hericium spp.)
- Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp. Exception Pleurotus levis, P. dryinus)
- Cauliflower (Sparassis spp.)
- Maitake / Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)
- Blewit (Lepista nuda)
- Honey mushroom (Armillaria mellea, A. tabescens)
- Blue milky (Lactarius indigo)
- Golden and burgundy milkies (Lactifluus corrugis, L.volemus, L. hygrophoroides)
- Pecan truffle (Tuber spp.)
- Puffballs (Lycoperdon spp., Calvatia spp.)
- Bolete species: King bolete / Cep / Porcini (Boletus edulis, B. chippewaensis)
- Matsutake (Tricholoma magnivelare)
- Shaggy mane (Coprinus comatus)
PA Requirements: Harvest Log, Tracking numbers on Boxes and Invoices. Restaurants retain records for 30 days.
Link to position statements: https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/consumer_protection/FoodSafety/Eggs-Fruit-Vegetables/Documents/Guidance%20for%20Wild%20Mushroom%20Harvesters%20in%20PA.pdf
NEW YORK
- Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp. Exception C. persicinus)
- Blue chanterelle (Polyozellus multiplex)
- Morels (Morchella spp.)
- Black trumpet (Craterellus fallax)
- Lobster (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
- Wood ears (Auricularia spp.)
- Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus spp. Exception L. persicinus)
- Beefsteak (Fistulina hepatica)
- Hedgehog (Hydnum repandum, H. albomagnum)
- Lions mane / Pom Pom / Bearded tooth / Bear’s head (Hericium spp.)
- Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp. Exception Pleurotus levis, P. dryinus)
- Cauliflower (Sparassis spp.)
- Maitake / Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)
- Blewit (Lepista nuda)
- Honey mushroom (Armillaria mellea, A. tabescens)
- Blue milky (Lactarius indigo)
- Golden and burgundy milkies (Lactifluus corrugis, L.volemus, L. hygrophoroides)
- Pecan truffle (Tuber spp.)
- Puffballs (Lycoperdon spp., Calvatia spp.)
- Bolete species: King bolete / Cep / Porcini (Boletus edulis, B. chippewaensis)
- Matsutake (Tricholoma magnivelare)
- Shaggy mane (Coprinus comatus)
NY Requirements: Harvest Log, Tracking numbers on Boxes and Invoices.
Wild mushrooms harvested by an approved mushroom expert can be sold in NY retail markets and direct to NY state customers.
As of the moment, wild mushrooms are not approved for sale to NY restaurants as per NYSDOH.
Other species taught, as they are considered in other states
- Candycap Mushroom (Lactarius rubidus, L. fragilis, L. camphoratus)
- Saffron Milky (Lactarius deliciosus)
- Hawk’s Wing (Sarcodon imbricatus)
- Enoki (Flammulina velutipes)
- Shrimp Russula (Russula xerampelina)
- Umbrella Polypore (Cladomeris umbellata)
- Green Quilted Russula (Russula virescens, Russula parvovirescens, Russula crustosa)
