Autumn · October 2026
Mushrooms in October
308 species of mushrooms in Europe — 221 edible, 27 poisonous. The list updates automatically from the MycoNote database.
October is every bit as good as September. Though the first night frosts are already cutting fruiting short, woolly milkcaps, late bay boletes and the last flushes of honey fungus take their place. The forest is ablaze with autumn colors — and the mushrooms fit right into the palette: a ginger saffron milk cap among yellow leaves, a dark honey fungus on a blackened stump. The forest smells special in October — earth, damp and autumn mushrooms, a scent like no other.
Which mushrooms grow in October in Europe
165
Edible
56
Conditionally edible
22
Poisonous
5
Deadly poisonous
In October in Europe you can come across 308 species of mushrooms. Of these, 221 edible and conditionally edible species are good to pick. Be careful: among the active species, 27 are dangerous, including 5 deadly poisonous ones. Before you pick, check the lookalike comparisons.
Which mushrooms grow in October
In October Europe has 308 species of mushrooms in season: 221 edible and conditionally edible ones that are good to pick, and 27 dangerous ones. Though the first night frosts are already cutting fruiting short, woolly milkcaps, late bay boletes and the last flushes of honey fungus take their place The full list of October mushrooms with photos and descriptions is in the catalog below.
When should you go mushroom picking in October? October is the last reliable month for honey fungus. After the first frosts, look for late honey fungus and woolly milkcaps. The rule: if it dropped below -5°C overnight, there won't be another big flush. The general rule: head out 5–10 days after a heavy rain, when daytime temperatures are 15–25°C (59–77°F). October is part of the autumn mushroom season, so look there for the big picture of the season.
Poisonous mushrooms in October
In October there are 27 species of dangerous mushrooms in season, including 5 deadly poisonous ones. Many of them look like edible species — never put a mushroom in your basket if you have any doubt about it.
Deadly poisonous mushrooms active in October: Deadly dapperling, Death cap, Destroying angel, Fool's webcap, Lepiota helveola. All of them have edible lookalikes — check every find.
Compare mushrooms with their lookalikes →All poisonous mushrooms →
All mushrooms of October in Europe
Agaricus abruptibulbus
Edible.webp)
Agaricus comtulus
EdibleAgaricus haemorrhoidarius
Edible
Agaricus romagnesii
EdibleAgaricus squamuliferus
Edible
Agaricus subperonatus
Edible_Fr._4948278370-2.webp)
Agaricus tabularis
Edible
Agrocybe arvalis
Inedible
Alder bolete
Gyrodon lividus
Conditionally edible
Aleurodiscus amorphus
Inedible
Almond woodwax
Hygrophorus agathosmus
Edible
Amanita battarrae
Conditionally edible
Amethyst deceiver
Laccaria amethystina
Edible
Amphinema byssoides
Inedible
Amylocorticium cebennense
Inedible
Amyloporia sinuosa
Inedible
Aniseed funnel
Clitocybe odora
Edible
Anomoporia bombycina
Inedible
Antrodia albida
Inedible
Apricot jelly
Guepinia helvelloides
Edible
Arched earthstar
Geastrum fornicatum
Inedible
Artist's bracket
Ganoderma applanatum
Inedible
Ashen chanterelle
Craterellus cinereus
Edible.webp)
Aurantiporus fissilis
Inedible
What to read about mushrooms in October
Where & when to forageAn evening in a young pine wood: a photo diary from 3 October
A couple of hours before sunset in a young pine wood: suede boletes, shaggy ink caps, mysterious boletes and a…
October 14, 2026·9 min
Where & when to forageWhat grows in an October pine forest: a one-day photo diary
One October day in a bright pine wood with birch, and in the frame: birch boletes, bay boletes, porcini, a bov…
October 13, 2026·10 min
Where & when to forageHerald of winter: the mushroom of the first frosts
When the boletes are over and the forest is already catching the night cold, the herald of winter comes up in…
October 6, 2026·9 min
Where & when to forageWhat mushrooms grow in an oak forest
An oak wood gives up its mushrooms on its own timetable: the summer bolete in May and June, and by autumn a co…
October 6, 2026·9 min
Frequently asked questions about mushrooms in October
Which mushrooms grow in October in Europe?
In October Europe has 308 species of mushrooms in season: 165 edible, 56 conditionally edible and 27 poisonous. October is the last reliable month for honey fungus. After the first frosts, look for late honey fungus and woolly milkcaps. The rule: if it dropped below -5°C overnight, there won't be another big flush.
When should you go mushroom picking in October?
October is the last reliable month for honey fungus. After the first frosts, look for late honey fungus and woolly milkcaps. The rule: if it dropped below -5°C overnight, there won't be another big flush. Head out 5–10 days after a heavy rain, when daytime temperatures are 15–25°C (59–77°F).
Are there poisonous mushrooms in October?
Yes, in October there are 27 species of dangerous mushrooms in season, including 5 deadly poisonous ones. Check every mushroom before you pick it, and never put anything in your basket if you have doubts.
What is autumn like for mushroom foragers in Europe?
Fall is the peak of the mushroom season in Europe. September and October bring the richest harvest: honey fungus, saffron milk caps, milk caps and boletes. Head out while the warmth holds.
Where to pick mushrooms in October in Europe?
The most reliable places are mountain forests and damp pine woods: they hold moisture longer. But mushrooms in October grow all over Europe — the key is to head out 5–10 days after a heavy rain.
How many mushroom species can you find in October?
According to MycoNote, in October Europe has 308 species of mushrooms in season. Of these, 221 are edible or conditionally edible and good to pick, and 27 are dangerous. The full list with photos and descriptions is further down this page.
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