Some short-lived grassland fungi appear overnight after rain. Little brown mower’s mushrooms might appear in a lawn the day after rain. Wild Food UK says ceps are generally seen eight days after rain, from late summer to the start of autumn. For mushrooms, the soil moisture model in the Forage app assumes fruiting bodies need roughly eight to fourteen days after the rain that triggers them.
In saprotrophic fungi, the ones that break down dead material, the cells are extremely thin tubes called hyphae. Together the hyphae make up the mycelium, the main body of the fungus. When the conditions a species favours are met, the mycelium develops fruiting bodies, and mushrooms are the best known form. Fruiting bodies usually enlarge very quickly, filling with water in just a few hours.
The RHS names colder, longer nights and more available moisture as triggers for a great many fungi to reproduce. According to the RHS, autumn sees the greatest range of fungi bearing fruiting bodies. Some years are better than others, influenced by how the previous year went for the fungus and the plants it lives alongside. A fungus that does not fruit every year can still remain as mycelium, unseen beneath the surface.
The pleated inkcap (Parasola plicatilis) is one of many short-lived grassland fungi that appear overnight after rain. Its fruitbodies develop, shed their spores and decay within 24 hours. Mower’s mushrooms might appear in a lawn the day after rain, according to the RHS.
Ceps (Boletus edulis) are generally seen eight days after rain, in late summer to the start of autumn, according to Wild Food UK.
The collared earthstar (Geastrum triplex) tends to fruit after rain between July and November. Yellow brain fungus (Tremella mesenterica) can shrivel up in dry weather, so the best time to look for it is after rain. Fairy rings are more likely to appear after wet weather, and the best time to see them is late summer to early autumn.
For mushrooms, the Forage app uses a soil moisture model instead of temperature. It assumes fruiting bodies need roughly eight to fourteen days after the rain that triggers them, and looks for that trigger event and the window ahead of it. Reporting that the ground is wet today would send people out about a week early, which is what an earlier version of the app did.
The German Mycological Society (DGfM) lists the death cap (Amanita phalloides) under amatoxin syndrome. For this syndrome it gives severe vomiting and diarrhoea, then an apparent improvement while liver damage begins, up to liver failure, clotting disorders and kidney failure.
The German Mycological Society (DGfM) tests and certifies mushroom experts (Pilzsachverständige), who can identify the mushrooms shown to them. The DGfM shows experts near you on a map.
Rain tells you when to look, not what you have found: have every find checked before you eat anything, and if in doubt, leave it.
Get medical advice immediately if you think someone may have been poisoned. Symptoms can take a few hours or days to start, so do not wait for them.
In the UK, the NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E if you think someone may have swallowed something harmful. If you are not sure whether something is harmful, call NHS 111. In the US, the poison center number is 1 800 222 1222. If the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be woken, Poison Control says to call 911. The BVL lists the poison centres in Germany and Austria, for example the Berlin poison emergency line on 030 192 40. In Austria, the poison information centre (Vergiftungsinformationszentrale) is on +43 140 643 43. In Switzerland, Tox Info Suisse runs the emergency number 145.
For which mushroom grows in which month, see the mushroom season guide; to see what is in season in your region right now, use the Season Finder. Both are linked below.
Rain tells you when to look, not what you have found. Never pick a mushroom on timing and habitat alone, keep the whole fruitbody with its stem base, and have every find checked by a mushroom expert. If in doubt, leave it.
Some short-lived grassland fungi appear overnight after rain. Wild Food UK says ceps are generally seen eight days after rain. The Forage app assumes roughly eight to fourteen days for mushroom fruiting bodies after the rain that triggers them.
The pleated inkcap is one of many short-lived grassland fungi that appear overnight after rain. Fruiting bodies usually enlarge very quickly, filling with water in just a few hours.
Wild Food UK says ceps are generally seen eight days after rain, in late summer to the start of autumn.
The RHS says some years are better than others, influenced by how the previous year went for the fungus and the plants it lives alongside. A fungus that does not fruit every year can still remain as mycelium beneath the surface.
Get medical advice immediately; symptoms can take hours or days to start. In the UK call 999 or go to A&E. In the US call 1 800 222 1222. The BVL lists the poison centres in Germany and Austria, in Austria the number is +43 140 643 43, in Switzerland 145.
Forage shows you the species in your region and pings you when the season starts.
All information without guarantee. This text is orientation on season and habitat, not an identification guide, and it makes no claim about whether any specific plant or mushroom is edible. Many species have toxic, some deadly, lookalikes. Never eat or use anything that has not been identified with certainty by an expert, such as a qualified mushroom inspector. We accept no liability for any harm arising from the use of this information. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center or emergency services right away. Mind conservation law and property rights.
