19 Common Mushrooms Found in Kansas! (2025)
What kind of mushroom did I find in Kansas?
If you spend time outside, you’ve probably asked this question at least once. Mushrooms are incredibly common in Kansas, and they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Believe it or not, there are THOUSANDS of different types of mushrooms that live in Kansas. Since it would be nearly impossible to write about them all, I focused on the most common types that are seen.
IMPORTANT: You should NEVER eat a mushroom you find. There are many poisonous types, and some species will kill you. So stay safe, and don’t eat any wild mushrooms unless you are with a mycologist (mushroom expert)!
19 COMMON MUSHROOMS in Kansas:
#1. Turkey-tail Mushroom
- Trametes versicolor
Identifying Characteristics:
- Caps are up to 8 cm (3 in) long and 5 cm (2 in) wide.
- Rings of different colors decorate the tops, ranging from black to shades of brown and white.
- They often grow in a stacked pattern, which makes them look like roof tiles.
This species is one of the most common mushrooms in Kansas!
Turkey-tail typically grows on logs of deciduous trees. It’s found in mature forests where dead trees on the forest floor make a perfect environment for this fungus.
This multicolored fungus is easy to spot thanks to the concentric rings of different colors on its caps. The growing pattern of Turkey-tail is also recognizable by the way it grows in a stacked pattern that looks like roofing tiles.
Like many mushrooms, Turkey-tail is used in Eastern medicine and as an herbal supplement. However, wild specimens should NOT be consumed or handled, and supplements containing this mushroom are not FDA-approved.
#2. Dryad’s Saddle
- Cerioporus squamosus
Identifying Characteristics:
- The cap is 8–30 cm (3–12 inches) across and up to 10 cm (4 in) thick.
- It has a thick stem, and the cap is generally white or off-white with brown scales on top.
- They grow in clusters of up to three mushrooms stacked on top of one another like tiles.
Look for this mushroom in Kansas near fallen trees.
Dryad’s Saddle is typically most abundant in spring. If you’re looking for Morel mushrooms, you may find this variety since their fruiting periods (when the fungus produces an above-ground mushroom) are about the same.
This species is important in forest ecosystems because it helps to decompose dead trees, creating new rich soil. However, it occasionally becomes a parasite on living trees as well.
Although Dryad’s Saddle is considered nonpoisonous, it can easily be confused with other deadly mushrooms. Unless you have experience with wild mushrooms, you should never eat or handle one.
#3. Splitgill Mushroom
- Schizophyllum commune
Identifying Characteristics:
- The caps are 1–4 cm (0.3–1.6 in) wide.
- They are pale white or gray and grow in stacked clusters that resemble shelves.
- As its name suggests, the gills of this mushroom are spaced apart like individual threads.
Splitgill Mushrooms in Kansas thrive on decaying trees during rainy periods.
These tough, leathery mushrooms were once thought to be nonpoisonous. However, recent research shows they’re often linked to fungal infections of the lungs. Symptoms can include breathing problems, prolonged cough, and other respiratory ailments.
Interestingly, this is one of the few mushrooms that grow abundantly in tropical weather. It thrives in heat and humidity thanks to its rubbery, tough structure. Fleshy, sponge-like mushrooms quickly rot, whereas this species lasts much longer.
Even though Splitgill Mushrooms are not poisonous, it’s best not to consume any you find in the wild. The unprocessed fungus can cause lung infections, and this mushroom can be confused with more dangerous species.
#4. Chicken of the Woods
- Laetiporus sulphureus
Identifying Characteristics:
- The shelf-like caps are 5-60 cm (2-23.5 in) across and up to 4 cm (1.5 in) thick.
- Their coloring is a strikingly bright yellow, sometimes with an orange or pink center.
- They grow in a stacked shelf pattern of fan-shaped caps on the sides of trees.
Chicken of the Woods grows on a variety of hardwood trees. Usually, it thrives on dead trees, although it occasionally parasitizes mature living trees.
Many people eat this mushroom in Kansas and Europe.
However, you should never eat this mushroom if you found it in the wild. Uncooked, it can cause an upset stomach and is unpleasant in texture. Plus, it can be confused with other poisonous varieties that can cause unpleasant symptoms or even permanent injury and death.
Unfortunately, it’s often confused with Laetiporus huroniensis, a poisonous mushroom that causes fever and vomiting. It’s best to purchase your Chicken of the Woods mushrooms from an expert forager and leave wild specimens alone!
#5. Pear-shaped Puffball
- Apioperdon pyriforme
Identifying Characteristics:
- The cap portion is 1.5-4.5 cm (0.6-1.8 in) wide by 2-4.5 cm (0.8-1.8 in) tall.
- Their coloring is off-white with brown spots that are dense toward the middle of the cap and spread out at the edges.
- Most specimens are pear-shaped, but they are often spherical as well. They grow in clusters of 4-10 caps.
Look for these mushrooms in Kansas on rotting logs.
Pear-shaped Puffballs are commonly found during their long fruiting season, which lasts from July to November. They are nonpoisonous.
However, Pear-shaped Puffballs look similar to several dangerous species of poisonous mushrooms. For example, a lookalike called the Earthball mushroom can cause gastrointestinal distress, fever, and eye infections.
It’s better to purchase Pear-shaped Puffballs from an expert or forage with someone who knows what they’re doing. If not, you may end up sick.
#6. Green-spored Parasol
- Chlorophyllum molybdites
Identifying Characteristics:
- The caps are 8-30 cm (3-12 in) in diameter.
- This mushroom is white or off-white with irregular brown spots and warts.
- The gills are visible around the edges of the top and very prominent on the underside.
This is the most frequently eaten poisonous mushroom in Kansas!
Green-spored Parasols bear an unfortunate resemblance to several edible fungi, which means it’s often eaten by mistake. In addition, this fungus causes severe stomach symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and colic.
Unfortunately, this mushroom is common on lawns and in pastures, which puts children and pets are at greater risk for poisoning. Please keep them away from these mushrooms!
Green-spored Parasols grow directly from the ground instead of from tree logs or other decaying wood. We recently had a cluster pop up after we had new mulch put down. The spores are often present in soil or mulch and can remain dormant until the next fruiting season.
#7. Oyster Mushrooms
- Pleurotus ostreatus
Identifying Characteristics:
- The caps are 2–30 cm (0.8–12 in) wide.
- They are fan-shaped with thick stalks and grow in a stacked pattern or irregular clusters.
- Their coloring is often white or off-white, sometimes with a light purple or gray wash.
You can find Oyster Mushrooms in Kansas both in the wild and on farms.
These mushrooms are often used as food and are commercially farmed worldwide. In fact, they were first cultivated in Germany during World War I to mitigate hunger because of rationing. As a result, you can find these mushrooms in most grocery stores, so eat those instead of a wild variety!
Something most people don’t know is that Oyster Mushrooms are carnivorous! This species eats nematodes that you might know as roundworms. They paralyze and consume the nematodes as a source of protein and nitrogen. Additionally, Oyster Mushrooms help to decay dead trees.
Pearl Oyster Mushrooms are also dried and used as a leather-like material or compressed into a wood substitute to make furniture. Mycelium, which is the fiber that gives Oyster Mushrooms their structure, is incredibly strong and resilient. Check out this page for more info!
#8. Shaggy Mane
- Coprinus comatus
Identifying Characteristics:
- The caps are 4–8 cm (1.6–3.1 in) wide and 6–20 cm (2.3–8 in) tall.
- Their coloring is white when they first emerge, slowly turning black as their scales lift.
- These mushrooms grow directly from the ground as single caps or clusters.
It’s easy to see how Shaggy Mane Mushrooms in Kansas got their name!
These tall, slender mushrooms have distinctive scales that make them look like they’re covered in shaggy hair. They often grow in suburban yards or fields straight from the ground.
Shaggy Manes definitely have some “yuck” factors. They’re called Ink Caps because their black gills liquefy and leak down the mushroom to release its spores. Additionally, the entire mushroom will “auto-decay,” digesting itself into a dark liquid within hours of being picked.
Shaggy Manes look very similar to poisonous mushrooms that are found in Kansas. Leave these mushrooms where you found them, and never eat them!
#9. Ringless Honey Mushroom
- Desarmillaria caespitosa
Identifying Characteristics:
- The caps are 2.5-10 cm (1–4 in) wide.
- Their coloring is light brown to pale yellow with white stalks.
- These mushrooms often grow in large clusters.
Ringless Honey Mushrooms in Kansas are often confused with other species.
For example, they look similar to Honey Mushrooms (Armillaria mellea), except they don’t have a dark ring around the stalk. Unfortunately, they also imitate the Galerina Mushroom, which is deadly if ingested.
Ringless Honey Mushrooms are parasitic to the trees on which they grow. Eventually, the tree will stop producing leaves and die due to the fungal infection. They will infect various trees, from conifers to broad-leafed hardwood trees.
#10. False Turkey-tail
- Stereum ostrea
Identifying Characteristics:
- The caps are 1–7 cm (0.4–2.8 in) wide.
- Their coloring is a mix of brown and red shades.
- These mushrooms have a shell-shaped cap that grows in stacked clusters.
If this mushroom in Kansas reminds you of others you’ve seen, you aren’t alone! False Turkey-tail gets its name from its resemblance to Turkey-tail Mushrooms, another widespread variety. But, despite their similar appearance, they don’t have much in common.
While Turkey-tail is often used as an herbal supplement, False Turkey-tail is completely inedible. In addition, it can cause stomach pain and cramping.
They’re also part of completely different classes within the Fungi kingdom, with almost no genetic relation. For example, False Turkey-tail is a plant pathogen that infects live trees and grows from their bark. Eventually, this fungus weakens the tree to the point of falling over. Then, the mushroom will completely decompose the dead wood.
Like any wild mushroom, you should avoid handling or ingesting False Turkey-tail. It can cause fungal infections and stomach discomfort, and if you misidentify it, you may come in contact with an even more dangerous variety.
#11. Witch’s Butter
- Tremella mesenterica
Identifying Characteristics:
- Fruiting bodies can be up to 7.5 cm (3 in) in diameter.
- The shape is irregular, gelatinous, and brain-like.
- This fungus is typically bright lemon-yellow.
This is one of the WEIRDEST mushrooms in Kansas!
Witch’s Butter, which gets its name from its unusual shape and color, completely differs from what most people picture in a mushroom. It has an irregular, ridged appearance that looks like brains and a jelly-like texture that trembles and vibrates if disturbed. Additionally, its coloring is bright yellow, unlike most mushrooms that blend in with their environment.
If the appearance of Witch’s Butter wasn’t strange enough, it also has fascinating properties that set it apart. During dry weather, this fungus dries and shrivels into a leathery mass. Then, when it rains, it fully revives back into its original state!
Look for this strange fungus on dead tree limbs that are still attached to trees or recently fallen branches. It will grow on any deciduous tree but is most prevalent on red alder.
#12. Mica Cap
- Coprinellus micaceus
Identifying Characteristics:
- The bell-shaped caps are 1–2.5 cm (.5–1 in) in diameter when new and expand up to 5 cm (2 in) as they open.
- These mushrooms grow in dense clusters of bell-shaped caps with long, thin stems. The caps have grooves that run vertically, giving them the appearance of a head of straight hair.
- Their coloring is grayish brown.
This unassuming mushroom has a creepy talent – it can self-destruct! Mica Cap autodigests within a few hours of being picked, meaning its flesh turns from a spongy white structure into an inky black liquid. Yuck!
Mica Cap is usually found in clusters at the base of deciduous trees in mature forests. This mushroom’s less-than-appetizing qualities are just one reason I recommend never eating wild mushrooms. Additionally, there’s a high likelihood of ingesting a poisonous mushroom by mistake.
If you see Mica Cap in the wild, it’s best to take a picture of the fascinating clusters and then leave it be. After all, if you pick it, you’re likely to be covered in gross black goo!
#13. Deer Mushroom
- Pluteus cervinus
Identifying Characteristics:
- The caps range from 3–12 cm (1-4.8 in) in diameter
- They have a typical mushroom shape, with a round, umbrella-like cap, and a short, thin stalk. As this mushroom matures, its cap expands and becomes convex.
- The coloring is most commonly medium brown but can range from off-white to dark brown.
Look for Deer Mushrooms in Kansas on rotten logs, roots, and tree stumps. It’s a common variety in most forests. This fungus got its name from its typical coloring, similar to that of a white-tailed deer. It has a velvety-looking texture, like a deer’s fur as well.
Although this species is technically nonpoisonous, it’s not commonly gathered for eating. It has a bitter taste and an unpleasant rubbery texture. You’re better off with grocery-store mushrooms instead!
#14. Artist’s Bracket
- Ganoderma applanatum
Identifying Characteristics:
- Caps can be 3–30 cm (1-12 in) wide × 5–50 cm (2-20 in) long and up to 10 cm (4 in) thick.
- New specimens are white but quickly turn a dark reddish-brown as they mature.
- Their shape is similar to a fan, and these mushrooms grow in a shelf-like formation individually or in groups.
This is one of the largest mushrooms in Kansas!
Artist’s Bracket caps are hard to miss, as they grow directly out of tree trunks and are too large to overlook. They’re tough and woody, and the surface of this mushroom often feels like leather.
Artist’s Bracket gets its name from a peculiar property of its white underside. You can scratch designs and pictures into their surface, and the picture remains as the mushroom dries. Here’s an example!
#15. Candleflame Lichen
- Candelaria concolor
Identifying Characteristics:
- Single lobes of this lichen are less than 1 cm (0.4 in) wide, but they can cover enormous surface areas, including entire trees.
- The coloring is golden yellow to yellow-green.
- This lichen has a branch-like appearance, similar in shape to coral.
Candleflame Lichen is technically NOT a mushroom in Kansas.
Instead, lichens are complex organisms that involve a symbiotic relationship between fungus and algae. The mutually beneficial relationship allows lichens to survive in habitats that would kill fungi and algae independently.
For example, Candleflame Lichen can be found anywhere from arid deserts to wet conifer forests. It’s one of the most widespread lichens in the world! Look for this lichen on trees, where it attaches to tree bark and slowly spreads.
#16. Yellow Mustard Polypore
- Fuscoporia gilva
- Caps are semicircular, lumpy, and irregular and grow like shelves from a tree or log.
- They have a velvety texture and are dark yellowish or reddish-brown, eventually becoming black.
- You can identify them by their mustard-yellow edges and purplish or light-brown pores on their undersides.
Yellow Mustard Polypore mushrooms grow on hardwood trees or logs in the forests of Kansas. They’re directly attached to the log and have no stem. Sometimes, you may find just a single mushroom, but they more often grow in overlapping clusters.
These mushrooms mostly grow on dead wood but can also be parasitic feeders on living trees, usually oaks. They cause a white rot of the tree’s sapwood.
Culinary enthusiasts won’t love Yellow Mustard Polypores, as they’re tough and corky, but some foragers pursue them for their medicinal value. You may also see these mushrooms listed under their former name, Phellinus gilvus.
#17. Scaly Ink Cap
- Coprinopsis variegata
- The cap is an elongated bell shape with a wooly white or yellow veil that breaks up to form scaly patches, revealing a smooth, grayish surface.
- The stem is thick, hollow, whitish, and may have a cottony ring near the base.
- The gills begin as white but mature to a dark purplish-brown before turning into a slimy substance.
Scaly Ink Caps usually grow in deciduous forests, but occasionally, you may spot them in backyards, parks, or similar areas. They grow on dead, rotting hardwood. Occasionally, the wood is below the surface, like old roots, giving the appearance that the mushrooms are growing from the soil.
These mushrooms form singly or in clusters and change over time. When they first emerge, they have oval caps that gradually become flattened. Their veil breaks into scales and separates to reveal more of the smooth gray cap beneath.
When mature, their gills transform into a black goo, giving them the name ink cap.
Inside of the black goo is the mushroom’s spores. As their somewhat creepy appearance suggests, Scaly Ink Caps are toxic and have a bitter, unpleasant flavor. They contain a compound called coprine. In addition to being potentially carcinogenic, coprine is known to cause alcohol intolerance.
#18. Cedar Apple Rust
- Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae
Right: Gall on Juniper Tree, Amy Manjon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Juniper trees infected with this fungus will have brown spherical galls that sprout bright orange, gelatinous horns.
- Rosaceous (apple) trees infected with this fungus will have yellow, orange, or brown spots on the upper and lower surface of leaves and fruit and thick, orange, hair-like structures on the underside of leaves.
This unusual fungus has a unique reproductive process!
It requires two hosts to complete its life cycle: a juniper and a rosaceous species. It often infects eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) and an apple or crabapple tree.
In the spring, the galls or teliospores form on the junipers. Then, gelatinous orange telial horns emerge after warm spring rains. These horns germinate and produce basidiospores, which float two to three miles on the wind to infest rosaceous species.
The spores create the spots seen on rosaceous leaves. Those spots produce spermatia, a sticky substance carried by insects to fertilize the fungus. The fungus then grows through the leaf to form hair-like structures called aecia that produce aeciospores, which are blown back to juniper species.
If this seems confusing, think of it like this: the galls are like kids who live on juniper trees. When they grow up, they move out and live on apple trees, where they have their own kids. Then, they send their kids back to juniper trees to grow up. 🙂
The galls on juniper species are probably the easiest to spot.
A heavily infested tree can look like it has been decorated with orange bobbles. Unfortunately for farmers and gardeners, apple trees often suffer from apple rust, and there isn’t a suitable treatment, so infected trees must be destroyed.
#19. Golden-eye Lichen
- Teloschistes chrysophthalmus
- The lichen body usually has a tufted, shrub-like shape with flattened branches and a central piece attached to the surface.
- It’s greenish-gray to bright orange.
- It has abundant bright orange fruiting bodies that are circular with spiny projections around the rim.
This lichen has an extensive range and usually grows in temperate areas. Golden-eye Lichen does best in humid, well-lit areas, and it’s often found near shorelines or in coastal areas.
Golden-eye Lichen grows on trees and branches and uses various host species, including White Spruce, Balsam Fir, Quaking Aspen, Magnolia, Bur Oak, and Red Oak.
Despite its extensive range and variable habitat, it’s often localized and rare.
Sadly, this lichen is threatened in some areas. It’s affected by climate change, habitat loss, and wildfires.
Learn about other awesome things in Kansas!
- POISONOUS MUSHROOMS that grow in Kansas
- VENOMOUS SPIDERS found in Kansas
- Flowers that attract HUMMINGBIRDS in Kansas
- The MOST Common INSECTS that live in Kansas
Which type of mushroom is your favorite?
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