Species library · Mushrooms

Foraging Lion's Mane

Hericium americanum

Typically in season from September to November in the northern hemisphere. Found in forest.

Lion's Mane (Hericium americanum)

Photo: John Carl Jacobs (JCJacobs) · CC BY-SA 3.0

When Lion's Mane is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak September to November. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in July

Where it grows

Lion's Mane is usually found in forest.

Take Lion's Mane into the field

Open Lion's Mane in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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Lion's Mane: common questions

When is Lion's Mane in season?

Lion's Mane is generally in season from September to November in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Lion's Mane grow?

Lion's Mane is usually found in forest.

Is Lion's Mane safe to forage?

Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits