Jack-o'-Lantern (Omphalotus illudens)
Common mushroom

Jack-o'-Lantern

Omphalotus illudens

Jack-o'-Lantern (Omphalotus illudens) is a common mushroom in Tennessee. Say it: om-fuh-loh-tus ih-loo-denz.

How to know it

  • Has: True, sharp gills
  • Has: Big clusters on wood
  • Does not have: No ring

Its gills glow faintly green in the dark

Poisonous Makes people very sick

Never eat a wild mushroom without an expert

Where and when

Forests statewide
Fruits
Fruits: June, July, August, September, October

Where to look

  • Grows on Stumps and buried roots, in big clusters
  • Trees Especially oaks
  • Conditions Late summer and fall rains

Watch

Video coming soon. Jack-o'-Lantern appears in our Mushrooms of Tennessee on YouTube.

Also out in October

See all mushrooms of Tennessee →

More photos

Never eat a wild mushroom unless an expert has identified it in person. This page is for learning, not a guide to eating.

Top photo: Alex Abair (CC BY) · source. Think something here is wrong? Tell us.