Fungi of NYC's Grocery Stores
Hundreds of species of mushrooms are eaten around the world, and many of them are imported to New York City. In this unscientific survey, conducted and produced by NYMS member Andrew Cannon, grocery stores are visited in the five boroughs, and the diversity of fungi present is listed below. Many species for sale are similar to native fungi in our area, while others are unique to the region they come from. All of them have long histories of use in cuisine and/or traditional medicine in NYC and the places they are cultivated or foraged.
Ascomycetes
- Cordyceps militaris, Scarlet Caterpillar Fungus—dried and fresh
- Morchella sp., Morel (cultivated Chinese, likely M. importuna)—dried
- Morchella spp., Morel (N. American foraged)—fresh and dried
- Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Caterpillar Fungus—dried
- Terfeziaceae, Desert Truffle / Kemeh—canned
- Hypomyces lactifluorum, Lobster Mushroom—fresh and dried
- Tuber spp., Truffles—dried, fresh, dried, and in oil
Boletes
- Boletus edulis complex, Porcini / King Bolete—fresh, dried, canned, and in oil
- Leccinum aurantiacum, Aspen Bolete—canned
- Suillus luteus, Slippery Jack —dried and canned
- Imleria badia, Bay Bolete —dried and canned
Chanterelles and Allies
- Cantharellus cibarius complex, Golden Chanterelle—fresh and canned
- Leccinum aurantiacum, Aspen Bolete—canned
Gasteromycetes
- Astraeus hygrometricus complex, Hygroscopic Earthstar / Black Mushroom—canned
- Leccinum aurantiacum, Aspen Bolete—canned
Gilled Mushrooms
- Agaricus bisporus, Portobello / Crimini—fresh, dried, canned, and in oil
- Agaricus subrufescens (labeled as A. blazei), Almond Mushroom—dried
- Agrocybe aegerita, Velvet Pioppini—fresh
- Agrocybe chaxingu, Tea Tree Mushroom—dried
- Armillaria sp., Honey Mushroom—canned
- Flammulina velutipes, Enoki—fresh and canned
- Hypsizygus tessellatus, Shimeji / Beech Mushroom—fresh and canned
- Lactarius deliciosus complex, Saffron Milk Cap—canned
- Lactarius resimus—canned
- Lactarius turpis, Ugly Milk Cap—canned
- Lentinula edodes, Shiitake—fresh, dried
- Lyophyllum decastes (Confirmed), Velvet Antler Mushroom / Fried Chicken Mushroom—dried
- Pholiota microspora, Nameko —fresh and canned
- Pleurotus citrinopileatus, Yellow Oyster—fresh and dried
- Pleurotus cystidiosus, Abalone Oyster—canned
- Pleurotus djamor, Pink Oyster—fresh
- Pleurotus eryngii, King Oyster—fresh, dried, and canned
- Pleurotus ostreatus, Oyster Mushroom—fresh and canned
- Pleurotus sapidus (Confirmed), Branched Oyster—dried
- Pleurotus tuoliensis, Bailing Oyster—canned
- Psathyrella sp., Djon Djon—dried
- Russula lutea, Yellow Gilled Russula—dried
- Russula virescens, Green Cracking Russula—dried
- Russula sp. (possibly R. alutacea), Scarlet Russula —dried
- Stropharia rugosoannulata, Wine Cap —canned
- Termitomyces sp. —in oil
- Tricholoma equestre, Man on Horseback—canned
- Tricholoma magnivelare, Matsutake—fresh and in oil
- Volvariella volvacea, Straw Mushroom—canned and dried
Jelly Fungi
- Auricularia heimuer, Black Wood Ear—fresh and dried
- Auricularia cornea, Wood Ear—dried
- Naematelia aurantialba, Golden Ear—dried
- This is the list item
Lichens
- Lobaria pulmonaria, Lungwort—dried
- Parmotrema perlatum, Black Stone Flower / Dagad Phool—dried
Polypores
- Ganoderma lucidum, Reishi—dried
- Grifola frondosa, Hen of the Woods / Maitake—fresh, dried
- Inonotus obliquus, Chaga—dried
- Laetiporus sulphureus, Chicken of the Woods—dried
- Laricifomes officinalis, Agarikon—dried
- Trametes versicolor, Turkey Tails—dried
- Wolfiporia extensa (labeled as Poria), Fuling — dried
Toothed Fungi
- Hericium erinaceus, Monkey Head / Lion’s Mane — fresh and dried
- Sarcodon aspratus — dried
Smuts
- Ustilago esculenta, Water Bamboo / Jiaobai—fresh (available in Manhattan and Flushing Chinatowns in September and October)
- Ustilago maydis, Huitlacoche / Corn Smut—fresh and canned (occasionally available fresh at farmers markets in September and October)