Species library · Mushrooms
Omphalotus olivascens
Western Jack O'lantern is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. Have every wild mushroom checked by a qualified mushroom expert before eating it.
If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.
Usually seen from October to December in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland, Disturbed ground. Can be confused with similar species.
Photo: (c) Nathan Wilson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · iNaturalist
Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.
Western Jack O'lantern is usually found in Woodland, Disturbed ground.
In the Forage app, Western Jack O'lantern has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.
Yes. Western Jack O'lantern is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.
Western Jack O'lantern usually appears from October to December in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.
Western Jack O'lantern is usually found in Woodland, Disturbed ground.
Toxic look-alikes: spectacular rustgill, California golden chanterelle, golden chanterelle. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by a qualified mushroom expert.
Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.
Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits
California golden chanterelle
golden chanterelle
