# Lobster Mushroom (*hypomyces lactifluorum*)

The Lobster Mushroom looks like a bright orange crustacean! It’s actually a fungus that loves to grow on other mushrooms.

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 3
- **Habitat:** Lobster Mushrooms grow in forests, often found on the ground or on other mushrooms.
- **Also known as:** Hypomyces, Lobster Fungus, Lobster Mushroom Fungus

![Lobster Mushroom](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lobster_mushrooms.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lobster_mushrooms.jpg)

## Appearance

The Lobster Mushroom is a vibrant orange to reddish-orange fungus with an irregular, often lumpy shape, resembling a cooked lobster. Its surface is rough and firm, while the interior flesh is dense and white. This striking color makes it distinct from the host mushrooms it covers.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Ascomycota
- **Class:** Sordariomycetes
- **Order:** Hypocreales
- **Family:** Hypocreaceae
- **Genus:** Hypomyces

## Interesting facts

- Amazingly, it can turn some normally inedible or bitter mushrooms into a delicious meal!
- It doesn't grow its own cap or stem; it completely covers another mushroom!
- Scientists can identify its original host mushroom by looking at tiny spores inside!
- This vibrant fungus is actually a parasite that grows on and transforms other mushrooms!

## Special abilities

- **Mushroom Makeover:** Lobster Mushroom can completely transform its host's appearance and texture because of its parasitic mycelium that helps them grow on and encrust another fungus.
- **Flavor Power-Up:** Lobster Mushroom has a unique seafood-like flavor that helps them become a highly prized food, despite being a forest fungus.
- **Disguise Artist:** Lobster Mushroom can hide the gills of its host, making it look like a solid mass because its mycelium encrusts the entire mushroom.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 5-15 cm
- **Edible:** edible
- **Size:** 7-20 cm
- **Growth Substrate:** soil
- **Season:** Summer to fall
- **Spore Color:** White

## Ecological connections

- **Parasitizes:** Peppery Milk-cap (*Lactarius piperatus*) — transforms into the lobster mushroom
- **Parasitizes:** Short-stemmed Russula (*Russula brevipes*) — changes its appearance and flavor
- **Eats:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — forage for this tasty fungus
- **Eaten by:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — a highly prized gourmet food

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before touching or eating wild mushrooms!

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Lobster Mushroom?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Lobster Mushroom?

5-15 cm

### Is Lobster Mushroom edible?

edible

### How big is Lobster Mushroom?

7-20 cm

### Where is Lobster Mushroom usually found?

Lobster Mushrooms grow in forests, often found on the ground or on other mushrooms.

### What does Lobster Mushroom grow on?

soil

### When is Lobster Mushroom in season?

Summer to fall

### What color are Lobster Mushroom spores?

White

## Where to spot

- [Clatsop State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/clatsop-state-forest) — Oregon, US · Forest
- [Kabetogama Ranger Station District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kabetogama-ranger-station-district) — Minnesota, US · Historic District
- [Nisqually Entrance Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nisqually-entrance-historic-district) — Washington, US · Historic District
- [Ole Bull State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ole-bull-state-park) — Pennsylvania, US · State Park
- [Selleck](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/selleck) — Washington, US · Historic District

[View all places to see Lobster Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/lobster-mushroom)

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Lobster Mushroom: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lobster-mushroom)