Jack-o'-Lantern Mushroom

Scientific name: Omphalotus olearius

Synonyms: jack-o'-lantern mushroom

Natural habitat: Mainly on olive trees, sometimes also on oaks or sweet chestnut. Common in the mediterranean area, rare in northern Europe.

Appropiate Substrate: hardwood (oleaster, olive tree, oak, chestnut, beech). Hardwood-based substrate for fruiting in greenhouses.

Usage: Decoration only. Known for its bioluminescent properties which only affect the gills.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Fungi

Division: Agaricomycetes

Class: Agaricomycetidae

Order: Agaricales

Family: Marasmiaceae

Genus: Omphalotus