Poisonous Jack-O-Lantern Mushroom In Pennsylvania

A journey through the forest or even our favorite state park usually means encountering a slew of plants and fungi. While most of us are undoubtedly familiar with poison ivy, we might stumble upon some plants or fungi we might not have seen before. One of those fungi just might be the jack-o-lantern mushroom, a poisonous mushroom in Pennsylvania that has a very unique attribute.

A stroll through the outdoors in Pennsylvania during the summer and fall means you might just catch sight of the jack-o-lantern mushroom, which earned its name from its orange color.

Usually a bright or yellowish-orange, the jack-o-lantern mushroom is typically found on or under wood and in clusters. Because of its bright colors, it’s usually easy to spot.

Then there’s that unique feature. The jack-o-lantern mushroom’s gills appear to glow in the dark, emitting a greenish glow. The fresher the mushrooms are, the stronger the glow.

Another reason this mushroom earned the name jack-o-lantern is for both its orange color *and* because it's common in October. You’re most likely to see these fungi from July through late fall.

Easy to spot due to their color, location, and cluster, jack-o-lantern mushrooms vary in size – from as small as two inches to as large as eight inches.

While it’s safe to touch these glow-in-the-dark mushrooms, you do not want to eat these poisonous fungi. Doing so could have some pretty unpleasant side effects, including vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches. Side effects can range from the mild side to severe.

However, there’s another mushroom – the chanterelle mushroom – that is similar in appearance to the jack-o-lantern. The chanterelle is edible, so if you like to eat mushrooms, your best bet is to learn how to distinguish the difference between the two.

Have you heard of this poisonous mushroom in Pennsylvania? Have you seen one? Share your experience in the comments! While you’re outdoors, keep an eye out for these wild animals in Pennsylvania that you’ll definitely want to avoid.

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There's A Poisonous Mushroom In Pennsylvania That Glows In The Dark

Beth Price-Williams

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