Fungus · GBIF taxon 2538088
Jack-o'-Lantern Mushroom
Omphalotus oleariusAlso known as European Jack-o'-Lantern
Jack-o'-lantern mushrooms grow in striking, dense clusters on hardwood stumps, buried roots, and decaying logs throughout European woodlands. Their bright orange caps and decurrent gills produce a faint green bioluminescent glow visible in pitch darkness, generated by luciferase enzymes. Easily mistaken for chanterelles by the untrained eye, these fungi play a vital role as saprotrophic decomposers breaking down dead wood.
BioluminescentPoisonousWood-decaying
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Dead hardwood
- Lignin
- Cellulose
Predators
- Fungus gnats
- Slugs
- Rove beetles
ThreatsDeforestation and clear-cutting of ancient hardwood stands
HabitatsDeciduous forests, woodland margins, decaying hardwood stumps
Life spanUnderground mycelium lives decades; fruiting bodies last 1–2 weeks
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyOmphalotaceae
- SpeciesOmphalotus olearius
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Contains severe gastrointestinal toxins and has toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains illudin toxins that trigger severe gastrointestinal distress, violent vomiting, sharp abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by bright orange decurrent gills running seamlessly down the stem and dense growth on decaying wood.
- What to do
- Do not harvest or consume; wash hands thoroughly after touch to prevent accidental ingestion.
Responsible observation
- Night Observation: Allow eyes to adjust in total darkness for 15 minutes to spot the pale green gill glow.
- Cluster Check: Examine the base of the stems to confirm whether mushrooms emerge from wood or soil.
Look-alike (c) Björn S..., some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Bioluminescent Kin (c) tripsis, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Jason Hollinger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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