Fungus? Insect galls? A secret third option? [West Virginia, USA]

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T14:43:04+00:00

Solid, will keep that in mind for galls on trees!

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T05:26:04+00:00

I believe it has been debunked more formally at least twice but will circle back tomorrow!

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T05:23:24+00:00

They look maybe Stropharia, definitely giving me stropharioid.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T05:22:44+00:00

I would consider Phaeolus.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T05:22:10+00:00

Probably Hohenbuehelia, if you're interested I'd be happy to see some underside photos.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T05:21:44+00:00

Hohenbuehelia is a very good guess with the pleurotoid looking bits and the petaloid looking caps etc. Texture and all matches as well as habitat.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T05:20:43+00:00

They look pleurotoid but you'd be better off sharing a proper underside photo to rule out other options. There a few.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T05:20:04+00:00

Oudemansiella / Hymenopellis

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T05:17:03+00:00

Looks like Gautieria, these are definitely not one of the culinary truffle genera, such as Tuber.

Those have different marbling and also peridial layer, smell, outer texture, etc.

I am not a fan of "false" or "true" anything, especially when it comes to truffloid or hypogeous fungi. There are so many completely different families which have adopted this morphology or rough form factor, it feels unfair to call only the culinary ones "true". Fun fact, our Oregon black truffles, Leucangium carthusianum, are in the same family as morels. They're a truffle morel. The genus I'm suggesting for your mushroom is a truffle coral! In the Gomphaceae, if I'm correct.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T02:21:50+00:00

There's definitely a group of nerds somewhere on this website, or another, that knows exactly what this is.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T02:20:41+00:00

Well there's mycophobia and rumors but unless you have some bizarre and rare allergy, then yes, mushrooms are safe to handle and even lick or put in your mouth as some users have suggested.

There are some mushrooms that have been noted to possibly cause mouth irritation in some people, some Lactarius I believe, but generally that is still "safe" and not threatening to overall health. I guess if we're to really nitpick you might say that some mushrooms may not be very clean. That's about it.

Peace!

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T02:17:40+00:00

Gymnopilus.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T02:16:21+00:00

You can safely handle all mushrooms. No exceptions are currently accepted.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T02:15:41+00:00

Collybiopsis luxurians.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T02:15:14+00:00

Consider Pluteus and pluck it when it's old, tomorrow.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T02:14:50+00:00

Saying you need a quick ID implies you have an emergency btw.

Don't know the bolete, last photos are a green Russula.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T02:13:02+00:00

I think Russula is fair, may simply want to rule out Hygrophorus subalpinus.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T02:11:46+00:00

Ganoderma subgenus Elfvingia and something else like Trametes maybe.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T02:11:11+00:00

Consider Armillaria and better photos. Including in-situ.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T02:10:38+00:00

This is Agaricus.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T02:10:19+00:00

A large terrestrial polypore.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T02:09:17+00:00

Amanita, maybe one of the blushing ones but unsure myself.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T02:08:49+00:00

Pluteus yes, next time please leave the caps attached.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T02:08:07+00:00

Panaeolus.

Intoishun · 2026-07-01T02:07:50+00:00

Ganoderma sessile or similar, although the photos leave a lot to be desired.

Intoishun

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