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Omphalotus olearius
There were several of these large mushrooms growing under and on a tree. They measured up to 8 cm wide. Omphalotus olearius, commonly known as the jack-o'-lantern mushroom, is an orange- to yellow-gill mushroom that to an untrained eye appears similar to some chanterelles, and is most notable for its bioluminescent properties. Unlike the chanterelle, the jack-o'-lantern mushroom is poisonous. While not lethal, consuming this mushroom leads to very severe cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Complicating its toxicity is the fact that it smells and looks very appealing, to the extent that there are reports of repeat poisonings from individuals who were tempted to try them a second time. Wikipedia
Growing under and on a tree along the Cataract Trail in Mt. Tamalpais State Park, Marin County, California.
Spotted on Jan 12, 2013
Submitted on Jan 13, 2013
1 Comment
Cool! Thank you for the ID mmarchiano!