Jack o'lantern mushroom facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Omphalotus olearius
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Subkingdom:	Dikarya
Phylum:	Basidiomycota
Subphylum:	Agaricomycotina
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Agaricales
Family:	Marasmiaceae
Genus:	Omphalotus
Species:	O. olearius
Binomial name
Omphalotus olearius (DC.) Sing.

Omphalotus olearius, commonly known as the jack-o'-lantern mushroom, is a poisonous orange gilled mushroom that to an untrained eye appears similar to some chanterelles. It is notable for its bioluminescent properties. It is found in woodland areas in Europe, where it grows on decaying stumps, on buried roots or at the base of hardwood trees.

Omphalotus olearius and other Omphalotus species contain the toxin illudin S, and are poisonous to humans. While not lethal, consuming this mushroom leads to very severe cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Description

The Jack-o-Lantern mushroom's fruiting body (its stem and cap) is an orange color. It grows from late summer into November, in large clumps on or near tree stumps. However, it can also be found growing on the ground (along buried roots) nearby. Underneath the cap is its well-known glowing color, which glows in a lime green color. The whole mushroom does not glow—only the gills do so.

Similar species

Unlike chanterelles, jack-o'-lantern mushrooms have true, sharp, non-forking gills; this is possibly the simplest trait for distinguishing between the two. Furthermore, if the jack-o'-lantern's stem is peeled, the inside is orange, while the chanterelle is paler inside the stem.

Images for kids

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  Western Jack O'Lantern Mushroom

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  Western Jack O'Lantern Mushroom, close-up of gills