10 Beautiful Photos of Wild Edible Mushrooms

If you're thinking about getting out of town this weekend, you could do a whole lot worse than taking a drive up the coast, where the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz is holding their 40th annual Fungus Fair. As usual the fair will cover all things fungi, with exhibits, activities for kids, chef's demonstrations, lectures by mushroom experts, and instructions on how to identify the various forms out there. No word yet on if my favorite joke ever will be told. (Scroll down to the bottom of the post for it.)

So, in honor of the event, here are the best ten photos of edible mushrooms from the fair's website. (We just called them edible, because they are, but don't you dare use this as a reference guide. If you ever forage for food, take an expert with you. Do not rely on a food website to keep you safe and healthy.)

Botelus edulis, photo by Hugh Smith

Chanterelle, photo by Bradley Dunbaugh

Clitocybe Odora, photo by Christian Schwarz

Green polypore, photo by Yevgeny Nyden

Aleuria Aurantia, photo by High Smith

Tramates, photo by Christian Schwarz

Winter Chanterelles, photo by Yevgeny Nyden

Morels, photo by Yevgeny Nyden

Trametes, photo by Hugh Smith

Mushroom latte because you need something to wash all those mushrooms down, photo by Debra Johnson

"A mushroom walks into a bar. The bartender says, 'We don't serve your kind here.' The mushroom says, 'Why not? I'm a fun guy!'" Ba-dum-bum.