Jack-O-Lantern
Omphalotus illudens
Family: Omphalotaceae
Also called: Eastern Jack-O-Lantern, Jack-O-Lantern Mushroom, False Chanterelle
Overview
Bright orange clustered gilled mushroom at the base of oaks. Bioluminescent gills in fresh specimens. Causes severe GI distress. Often confused with chanterelles — true chanterelles have ridges, not gills, and grow singly on the ground.
Edibility
Toxic
Rarity
common
Trophic mode
parasitic-saprotrophic
Typical peak
Sep–Oct
Season
Sep–Nov — typical fruiting months: Aug, Sep, Oct.
Host trees & substrate
- Living or recently dead oak
Where it grows
See live fruiting predictions for Jack-O-Lantern on the forecast home page, or browse the full field guide.
Always confirm wild-mushroom identification with multiple sources and a knowledgeable local expert before consuming. Read the foraging safety guide.