Mushrooms of Kumaon

Aliza
Yellow mushroom between Paparshali and Chitai, Almora, Uttarakhand
No. 1 – Found in pine woods between Paparshali and Chitai Devta Golu Mandir.

The monsoon seemed to begin in earnest about 10 days ago, with heavy rains occurring every day for at least a couple of hours. The rains have greened up the forests, and brought forth many lovely wildflowers. I love the flowers, but I enjoy the mushrooms and fungi even more.

Hiking in the Pacific Northwest, autumn is the time when you can spot a huge variety of fungi, and gather edible varieties like chanterelles and chicken-of-the-woods, if you dare.

I don’t know the names of any of the mushrooms and fungi I’ve been spotting here in Kumaon (the name of this mountain district of Uttarakhand). Some look really familiar to me from the Northwest, while others are quite different from anything I’ve seen before.

Here are some of the most interesting mushrooms and fungi I’ve seen on our walks. If you can identify any of them, please let me know in the comments section below. I’m curious! (I’m numbering each photo to make it easier for commenters.)

Purple mushroom found between Chitai and Papershali, Almora, Uttarakhand
No. 2: Purple mushroom found in pine woods between Chitai and Papershali
Pink mushroom found in pine woods between Chitai and Papershali, Almora, Uttarakhand
No. 3: Pink mushroom found in pine woods between Chitai and Papershali
Found in pine woods between Chitai and Papershali, Almora, Uttarakhand
No. 4: Brown mushrooms that look a lot like shitakes, but I haven’t tasted them. Found in pine woods between Chitai and Papershali.
Chanterelles found in pine woods near Papershali, Almora, Uttarakhand
No. 5: Narayan Singh has been collecting these in the mornings when he’s minding his goats. Don’t they look like chanterelles?
White mushroom found in pine forest between Papershali and Kasar Devi Ridge, Almora, Uttarakhand
No. 6: From the side. Found in pine forest between Papershali and Kasar Devi Ridge.
White mushroom (from top) found in pine forest between Papershali and Kasar Devi Ridge, Almora, Uttarakhand
No. 6: From the top. Found in pine forest between Papershali and Kasar Devi Ridge.
White Mushroom between Paparshali and Kasar Devi Ridge, Almora, Uttarakhand
No. 7: I think this is the same kind as No. 6, as it was growing very close by.
Ribbed mushroom found in pine woods between Chitai and Papershali, Almora, Uttarakhand
No. 8: Found in pine woods between Chitai and Papershali.
Orange mushrooms in Balta valley near Kasar Devi, Almora, Uttarakhand
No. 9 – Found in Balta valley near Papersali
Mushrooms found in Papersali, Almora, Uttarakhand
No. 10 – Found in Papersali

4 thoughts on “Mushrooms of Kumaon”

  1. shubhammansingka August 16, 2018 / 3:40 pm

    Wow! What a stunning collection of mushrooms in the region 🙂 Super post.

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    Reply
    • Aliza August 17, 2018 / 12:23 am

      Have you spent a lot of time in Kumaoni woods during monsoon, Shubham? I know you have spent a lot of time in Kumaon, that’s for sure.

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      Reply
      • shubhammansingka August 18, 2018 / 10:27 am

        After seeing your post, I am already so keen to visit Kumaon in August/September!!

        Like

      • Aliza August 19, 2018 / 3:37 pm

        I think you’ll enjoy Kumaon in this season, Shubham. I’d come in August, if I were you; both the fungus and the wildflowers are at their best, and the bird life is also abundant. The only thing you’ll miss out on is reliable views of the high Himalaya. You’ll need to come in October and November for that.

        Liked by 1 person

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