The Illinois Mycological Association is a group of fungal enthusiasts that meets frequently to learn about fungi through talks presented by experts, and to look for, identify and document wild fungi. We host monthly meetings with invited speakers, mycologist-led surveys to gather and document fungi, and an annual show at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
We welcome you to attend and learn more about fungi and the wild mushrooms of Illinois and the Chicago region.
October Mushroom of the Month: Omphalotus illudens // Eastern American Jack-O'-Lantern
To the untrained eyes, these poisonous mushrooms can be mistaken for edible Chanterelles and have left many folks languishing in the lavatory, if not in the E.R., because of it. Their vibrant orange color pops up in clusters at the base of trees or from buried roots and stumps during the late summer and Autumn months. Omphalotus illudens get their common name not just from their color but also from their bioluminescent properties, as they've been known to emit an eerie electric green glow in the night. In some circles, their ghoulish gleam is thought to be the cause of the mysterious ghost light of the will-o'-the-wisp, also known as Foxfire or ignis fatuus.
Photo by IMA Survey Chair Liz Weinstein
Join your local mushroom club
Video by the Illinois Mycological Association.
Speakers: Patrick Leacock, Tom Volk, and Britt Bunyard.
Video created by James Strzelinski, Spiel.
Members of the Illinois Mycological Association post their mushroom photos to iNaturalist to record fungal diversity for the Chicago Region. Mycologist Patrick Leacock reviews a selection of recent observations organized by his Top Ten Lists of most common macro-fungi.
