Lobster mushrooms are the result of a parasitic fungus Hypomyces lactifluorum infecting another mushroom, usually Russula brevipes.
The lobster mushroom infection covers the host in a hard red-orange shell, and completely alters its consistency, flavour, shape, and even DNA.
By all accounts, Hypomyces lactiflourum only infects edible mushrooms, though caution is advised due to possible adverse reactions, like allergies.
Lobster mushrooms are relatively easy to identify because of their unique characteristics. The bright orange colour, size, and shape of lobster mushrooms are distinctive, and the texture is virtually unique.
Prime lobster mushrooms will be either bright orange or red. However, lobster mushrooms can have a white surface if they are partially infected, and old specimens can be wine-purple or pink. White lobster mushrooms are still edible, but older specimens should always be avoided.
As mentioned, lobster mushrooms are relatively easy to identify and easy to prepare. This makes them a great mushroom for beginner foragers. Read more about some other great starter mushrooms here.
Improve your mushroom identification skills with an up-to-date guide book. Learn about the best mushroom identification books here.
Lobster mushrooms can grow in large quantities, and they are also delicious and easy to cook. Because of this, wild foragers will often collect lobster mushrooms to sell to grocery stores.
Mature lobster mushrooms will often have a ring of fine white powder around them. This powder can also be encrusted on the lower portion of the mushroom.
Many beginner foragers worry that this is a sign of mold. However, this powder is actually the spores of the lobster mushroom and poses no danger. Simply wipe them away before preparation.
Note that if you pick lobster mushrooms and store them overnight, they will probably develop a dusting of spores by the morning.
Patches of white powder on the ground can even be a great indicator of a hidden lobster mushroom.
There are no mushrooms that look like lobster mushrooms. The bright orange-to-red colouring and hard shell-like exterior are very distinctive and relatively unique among fungi. You might find bright red or orange mushrooms, but they wont have the hard shell. And you might find mushrooms with similar infections, making them hard on the outside, but they wont have the right colour. For example, there is a yellow-green variety of the lobster mushroom infection (see right).
The beautiful red lobster mushroom has a slightly less beautiful and much rarer cousin, Hypomyces luteovirens .
How do lobster mushrooms compare with the more famous chanterelle? Lobster mushrooms are better than chanterelles in a number of ways. Lobster mushrooms are larger, easier to cook with, and can be found in the summer when choice edible mushrooms are rare.
Arguably, the only advantage that chanterelles have over lobster mushrooms is a slightly better taste. What do you think? Should lobster mushrooms get more credit as a choice edible mushroom?
Lobster mushrooms are one of the most fascinating types of edible fungi out there. Known for their bright reddish-orange color and distinctive seafood-like flavor, these mushrooms have become highly sought after by foodies and foragers alike But their odd appearance leaves many wondering – where exactly do lobster mushrooms grow?
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about finding lobster mushrooms in the wild. We’ll look at their native habitat, fruiting season, ideal weather conditions, and tips for locating prime lobster mushroom patches.
What Are Lobster Mushrooms?
Lobster mushrooms get their name from their uncanny resemblance to a cooked lobster shell But here’s a unique fact – they aren’t actually a distinct species of mushroom!
Lobster mushrooms originate when a parasitic fungus called Hypomyces lactifluorum infects mushrooms of the Russula and Lactarius genera. This infection completely transforms the host mushroom, changing its appearance texture taste and even DNA.
During the infection process, the parasite destroys the gills and stem of the host mushroom, leaving just the cap portion. This gives lobster mushrooms their classic singular, stout look. The flesh also changes from the mild flavor of the host to a more seafood-esque taste, furthering the similarity to actual lobsters.
Native Habitat and Range
So where in the world can you find these fascinating fungal mutants? Lobster mushrooms predominantly occur in North America, especially along the Pacific Northwest coast from Northern California up to Alaska. They also grow inland in the Great Lakes region and parts of Canada.
There are also European varieties likely representing a closely related but distinct species of the Hypomyces lactifluorum parasite.
Within their native range, lobster mushrooms grow in coniferous forests amongst spruce, fir, pine and hemlock trees. They appear singly or scattered directly on the forest floor, often near the bases of trees where their host mushrooms grow symbiotically with the roots.
Lobster mushrooms tend to thrive in cooler northern climates with abundant rainfall. Ideal fruiting conditions are forest temperatures around 60-70°F and frequent rainstorms to soak the soil.
When and Where to Forage
Timing your foraging trips is crucial to finding fresh lobster mushrooms. Here are some tips on when and where to search:
Summer to Fall Season – The lobster mushroom fruiting season starts as early as June in some areas and runs through October. August and September are typically peak months.
After Rainstorms – Plan your foraging outings about 4-7 days after a good soaking rain to take advantage of the boosted mushroom flush.
Coniferous Forests – Focus your search efforts in spruce, fir, pine and hemlock stands. Mossy old growth forests are particularly fruitful.
Note Host Mushrooms – Scout areas where edible Russula and Lactarius species grow since they are the targets of the parasite.
Return to Prime Spots – When you find lobster mushrooms one year, make note to revisit those same patches in future seasons. The parasite often spreads to nearby mushrooms.
Finding the Freshest Specimens
When foraging, only collect young, firm lobster mushrooms. Older specimens quickly deteriorate. Look for bright intact coloration and minimal cracks, holes or other damage. Use your harvest as soon as possible after picking for peak texture and flavor.
It’s also crucial to forage sustainability by leaving some mushrooms behind to continue propagating. And take care not to disturb or damage the surrounding forest habitat. Following these tips will help ensure bountiful harvests for years to come!
Ready to Hunt Lobster Mushrooms?
We hope these tips give you a great starting point for understanding where lobster mushrooms grow and when to start searching. Now get out there and enjoy the hunt for these incredibly unique and delicious fungal treasures! Let us know if you have any other lobster mushroom foraging wisdom to share.
Is there a lobster mushroom poisonous look alike?
There are no mushrooms that look like lobster mushrooms. As such, there are no poisonous lookalikes for lobster mushrooms. If you simply pay attention to the primary identifying characteristics, and discard anything youre uncertain about, you will be unlikely to pick anything else than a real lobster mushroom. However, as always, getting outside confirmation from multiple sources is always recommended.
Can lobster mushrooms be grown or cultivated?
Many popular mushrooms are difficult to cultivate because they depend on long-standing and delicate symbiotic relationships with specific tree species. This is the same for Russula brevipes, the preferred host of the lobster mushroom infection (Hypomyces lactifluorum). Add on the complexity of reliably inducing an infection, and you can see why the cultivation of lobster mushrooms might be prohibitively difficult.
Mature lobster mushrooms will often have a ring of fine white powder around them. This powder can also be encrusted on the lower portion of the mushroom.
Many beginner foragers worry that this is a sign of mold. However, this powder is actually the spores of the lobster mushroom and poses no danger. Simply wipe them away before preparation.
Note that if you pick lobster mushrooms and store them overnight, they will probably develop a dusting of spores by the morning.
Patches of white powder on the ground can even be a great indicator of a hidden lobster mushroom.
There are no mushrooms that look like lobster mushrooms. The bright orange-to-red colouring and hard shell-like exterior are very distinctive and relatively unique among fungi. You might find bright red or orange mushrooms, but they wont have the hard shell. And you might find mushrooms with similar infections, making them hard on the outside, but they wont have the right colour. For example, there is a yellow-green variety of the lobster mushroom infection (see right).
The beautiful red lobster mushroom has a slightly less beautiful and much rarer cousin, Hypomyces luteovirens .
Hypomyces luteovirens also infects Russula and Lactarius species, but its edibility is unknown.
Above: Hypomyces luteovirens
Lobster Mushrooms- The seafood of the Forest. When, where, and how to find them.
FAQ
Where is the best place to find lobster mushrooms?
The best time to find them is late summer to early fall, particularly in areas with rich, damp soil under hardwoods or conifers. Look for clusters near the base of trees or in mossy, shaded areas after a good rain. Fresh lobster mushrooms have a slightly sweet, seafood-like aroma and are firm to the touch.
Are lobster mushrooms safe to eat?
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No documented poisonings:There are no documented cases of people getting sick from consuming lobster mushrooms.
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Transforms inedible hosts:The parasitic fungus changes the color, shape, and flavor of its host mushroom, making it edible.
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Delicious and meaty:Lobster mushrooms are known for their meaty texture and savory, seafood-like flavor.
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Important note:While generally safe, always ensure you’re 100% certain of your mushroom’s identification before eating it, as misidentification can be dangerous.
What trees do lobster mushrooms grow on?
Lobster mushrooms are found in woods and forests across the USA. They are especially likely under hemlock trees, and usually appear in September or October. They may grow singly, in pairs or in clusters.
Are there any poisonous lobster mushroom look alikes?
Poisonous look alikes: There are no known poisonous look alikes. In color, the edible mushroom Laetiporus sulphureus can resemble H. lactiflorum, but that is the extent of the similarity.
Where do lobster mushrooms live?
Lobster mushrooms are typically found on the forest floor, mainly within hardwood and coniferous forests. Their preferred habitats are those that offer a symbiotic relationship with trees, such as conifers, birch, and hemlock.
What do lobster mushrooms typically grow on?
Lobster mushrooms generally choose bland hosts to grow on. This fungi growing on the host mushrooms is what gives them their distinctive flavor, by the way, as they generally choose bland hosts. Lobster mushrooms have variable flavor, depending on the host species of fungi they grab onto.
How long does it take lobster mushrooms to grow?
Within 2-4 months, you should see club-shaped, orangey-red growths start to emerge from the substrate—your growing lobster mushrooms! Once the mushrooms reach about 3-6 inches tall, they are ready for harvesting. Use a clean knife to cut the lobster mushrooms off flush with the substrate surface.
How do you find lobster mushrooms?
The heavy spore print of lobster mushrooms will often expose their locations with a white patch of needles/duff next to their shrump. That shrump (raised patch of duff) is sometime the only way to locate these mushrooms. If you see an exposed one, look around nearby for bumps in the ground and see if there’s a lobster underneath.
How do lobster mushroom spores grow?
Lobster mushroom spores land on a host mushroom like a Russula or Lactarius species. The spores germinate and the lobster fungus mycelium starts spreading through the host mushroom. As the lobster fungus colonizes the host, it causes changes in the mushroom’s growth and triggers carotenoid pigment production.
What causes a lobster mushroom to grow in a forest?
They arise from a complex interaction involving a parasitic mold and its mushroom host, thriving in specific environments and contributing to forest dynamics. The lobster mushroom (Hypomyces lactifluorum) begins its life as a filamentous mold that infects certain species of mushrooms, primarily the Russula brevipes.