Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA 12-10-12. © Peter J. Bryant

Honey Mushroom

Armillaria mellea

Family: Physalacriaceae

Non-toxic, widespread in northern temperate zones, growing parasitically on a large number of broadleaf trees.

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Ring on upper stipe/stem. Caps dusted with white spores. Growing on dead Brazilian Pepper root. Red Hill, Tustin, Orange County, CA. 1-15-2017. © Doug and Joanne Schwartz
Growing on dead Brazilian Pepper roots. Red Hill, Tustin, Orange County, CA. 1-15-2017. © Doug and Joanne Schwartz

Most growth on roots of dead Brazilian Pepper tree. Red Hill, Tustin, Orange County, CA. 1-15-2017. © Doug and Joanne Schwartz
Large heads, growing on dead Brazilian Pepper roots and fruiting densely for about 20’ from the trunk. It is also infecting palm trees about 45 ft away. Red Hill, Tustin, Orange County, CA. 1-15-2017. © Doug and Joanne Schwartz
Growing around the base of two ornamental palm trees. Red Hill, Tustin, Orange County, CA. 1-15-2017. © Doug and Joanne Schwartz

Ring on upper stipe/stem. Growing on dead Brazilian Pepper roots. Red Hill, Tustin, Orange County, CA. 1-15-2017. © Doug and Joanne Schwartz
Ring on upper stipe/stem. Growing on dead Brazilian Pepper roots. Red Hill, Tustin, Orange County, CA. 1-15-2017. © Doug and Joanne Schwartz

Older dry caps on left. Growing on dead Brazilian Pepper roots. Red Hill, Tustin, Orange County, CA. 1-15-2017. © Doug and Joanne Schwartz
Cut through tough attachment to dead Brazilian Pepper Tree roots. Red Hill, Tustin, Orange County, CA. 1-15-2017. © Doug and Joanne Schwartz

Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA 12-10-12. © Peter J. Bryant
Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA 12-10-12. © Peter J. Bryant

On buried stump or roots near roadside Eucalyptus grove. Skyline Drive, Tustin, Orange County, CA. 12/30/12. © Joanne Schwartz.
On buried stump or roots near roadside Eucalyptus grove. Skyline Drive, Tustin, Orange County, CA. 12/30/12. © Joanne Schwartz.

On buried stump or roots near roadside Eucalyptus grove. Skyline Drive, Tustin, Orange County, CA. 12/30/12. © Joanne Schwartz.
On buried stump or roots near roadside Eucalyptus grove. Skyline Drive, Tustin, Orange County, CA. 12/30/12. © Joanne Schwartz.

On buried stump or roots near roadside Eucalyptus grove. Skyline Drive, Tustin, Orange County, CA. 12/30/12. © Joanne Schwartz.
On buried stump or roots near roadside Eucalyptus grove. Skyline Drive, Tustin, Orange County, CA. 12/30/12. © Joanne Schwartz.

On buried stump or roots near roadside Eucalyptus grove. Skyline Drive, Tustin, Orange County, CA. 12/30/12. © Joanne Schwartz.
Spore print. Residential garden, Tustin Hills, Orange County, CA. 1/2/13. © Joanne Schwartz.

Mature specimens showing dried condition. Irvine Park, Irvine, Orange County, CA. 1/12/12. © Joanne Schwartz.
Mature specimens showing dried condition. Irvine Park, Irvine, Orange County, CA. 1/12/12. © Joanne Schwartz.