Omphalotus illudens, the eastern jack-o'-lantern, is a poisonous orange gilled mushroom that grows in clusters on hardwood stumps and buried roots, especially of oak. It is often mistaken for chanterelles, and its fresh gills can glow faintly green in the dark. Phylogenetic work shows it is distinct from the European O. olearius, with which older literature synonymized it.
Poisonous, raw or cooked. Illudins S and M cause vomiting, cramps and diarrhea; muscarine has been suggested but not confirmed. Often confused with edible chanterelles, which have blunt false gills (ridges), rarely grow in dense clusters, and have a stem that is paler inside.
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Habitat
Saprobic, in large clusters on stumps, buried roots and the bases of hardwoods, especially oaks; often in urban areas around dead trees. Fruits late summer and fall (June to November).
Distribution
North America east of the Rocky Mountains, and Mexico; MushroomExpert also reports it from northern Europe. Replaced by O. olivascens in California, O. subilludens on the Gulf Coast and O. olearius in southern Europe.
Characteristics
Cap: 3-20 cm, convex with a central bump, becoming flat or shallowly vase-shaped; bright to pumpkin orange; dry or slightly greasy. Gills: True, sharp-edged, decurrent, close to crowded, bright to pale orange; faintly luminescent when fresh. Stem: 3-13 cm long, 1-2 cm thick, tapering to the base, solid, pale to bright orange. Flesh: Pale orange, not changing when cut. Spore print: White to creamy or pale yellow. Key features: Dense clusters on wood; true gills; orange flesh throughout.
