Nobody knows how many different species of fungi exist in Illinois. Scientists known as mycologists--fungi scientists--continually “discover” new species of fungi previously undocumented in Illinois. Some of those species, including the Agaricus mushrooms pictured below, are completely new to science altogether.
Such pioneering opportunities make the science of mycology in Illinois an exciting scientific frontier, ripe with potential for discovery. At least 1,000 different species of fungi have been identified in the Chicago region alone. How many additional species exist within Illinois’s diverse habitats? Nobody has documented them all yet.
 
Of course, one doesn’t have to be an actual mycologist to appreciate natural exploration or the dramatic art in nature. Mushrooms and their virtually endless shapes and colors represent a lifetime of potential discovery for naturalists of all ages regardless of experience. Featured on this page is a tiny sample of Illinois mushrooms. Click each thumbnail image to view a larger photograph and to learn more about the mushrooms of Illinois.  
Illinois Mushrooms
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illinoismushrooms.com
Pleurotus ostreatus
Morchella esculenta
Stereum sp.
Lycoperdon pyriforme
Hapalopilus croceus
Macrolepiota procera
Ganoderma lucidum
Grifola frondosa
Coprinus comatus
Cantharellus cinnabarinus
Cortinarius sp.
Lepista nuda
Scleroderma citrinum
Pluteus cervinus
Amanita thiersii
Amanita muscaria
Amanita muscaria
Gymnopus dryophilus
Lactarius indigo
Chlorophyllum molybdites
Omphalotus illudens
Hericium erinaceus
Leucoagaricus americanus
Agaricus sp. (unpublished)