Fungi Associated
with Oaks
(Quercus spp.)
 

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Scientific & Common Names
& Comments

Amanita daucipes
(Carrot Amanita)
ectomycorrhizal, poisonous

Amanita jacksonii
(American Slender Caesar)
ectomycorrhizal, edible

Boletus calopus
(Bitter Beech Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, not edible

Boletus firmus
(Firm Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, not edible

Boletus frostii
(Frost's Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, poisonous to some people

Boletus pulverulentus
(Inkstain Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, edible

Boletus rubellus
(Ruby Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, edible

Bulgaria inquinans
(Black Bulgar)
not edible, found on dead limbs,
fallen branches & logs

Calostoma cinnabarinum
(Red Aspic-pullball)
ectomycorrhizal, not edible

Chlorocibaria aeruginascens
(Green Elfcup)
not edible, on fallen branches
& woody fragments

Clavariadelphus americanus
(American Club)
ectomycorrhizal

Clitophilus prunulus
(The Miller)
edible

Cortinarius bolaris
(Dappled Webcap)
poisonous,
found in acidic woodlands

Cortinarius iodes
(Viscid Violet Webcap)
not edible

Daedalea quercina
(Oak Mazegill)
not edible,
found on stumps & logs

Evernia prunastri *
(Oakmoss Lichen)
not edible,
found on living trees

Exidia glandulosa
(Witches' Butter)
not edible,
found on dead attached branches

Fistulina hepatica
(Beefsteak Fungus)
edible while young, but sometimes sour;
found on standing or fallen trunks;
can cause heart rot

Ganoderma lucidum
(Lacquered Bracket)
not edible,
found on standing or fallen wood;
a weak parasite that can cause wood rot

Grifola frondosa
(Hen-of-the-Woods)
edible, found at the base
of living & decaying trees

Gymnopus dryophilus
(Russet Toughshank)
probably edible

Gyroporus castaneus
(Chestnut Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, edible

Heimioporus betula
(Shaggy-stalked Bolete)
edible

Hericium erinaceus
(Lion's Mane)
edible, tastes like lobster;
found on older trees,
on cut or fallen logs,
or high up on standing trees

Hygrophorus russula
(Pinkmottle Woodwax)
ectomycorrhizal, edible

Inonotus hispidus
(Shaggy Bracket)
not edible,
causes canker rot
on living trees

Lactarius indigo
(Indigo Milkcap)
ectomycorrhizal, edible

Laetiporus sulphureus
(Chicken-of-the-Woods)
edible, but some people
have a negative reaction;
found on trunks & stumps
of both living & dead trees;
can cause wood rot

Leccinum aurantiacum
(Orange Oak Bolete)
edible, preferred host
is oak or poplar

Omphalotus illudens
(Jack O'Lantern)
poisonous; found at base
of trunks, stumps,
or arising from roots in clusters

Phylloporus rhodoxanthus
(Gilled Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, edible

Polyporus umbellatus
(Umbella Polypore)
edible, found at base
of living trees or among roots;
causes rot

Pseudoinonotus dryadeus
(Oak Bracket)
not edible, found near base
of living trees;
causes butt & root rot

Russula vesca
(Bare-toothed Brittlegill)
ectomycorrhizal, edible

Russula virescens
(Green-cracked Brittlegill)
ectomycorrhizal, edible

Sebacina sparassoidea
(White Coral Jelly)
ectomycorrhizal, not edible

Strobilomyces strobilaceus
(Old-Man-of-the-Woods)
ectomycorrhizal, edible

Tricholoma magnivelare
(American Matsutake)
ectomycorrhizal, edible

Tricholoma sulphureum
(Sulfur Knight)
not edible

Tuber melanosporum
(Black Truffle)
ectomycorrhizal, very edible;
found in soil or leaf little;
introduced into North America

Tylopilus alboater
(Black Velvet Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, edible

Tylopilus felleus
(Bitter Bolete)
ectomycorrhizal, not edible

Urnula craterium
(Devil's Urn)
not edible; found on
or along side rotten,
sometimes buried wood;
can cause strumella canker
in oaks
 

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* this is a fungus in a symbiotic relationship
with an alga (lichen)

Note: Most listed fungi also associate
with other hardwood trees

Source: Roberts & Evans (2011)

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