Bruce

If you're talking about aquatics, see https://bloomington.in.gov/sites/default/files/2017-06/Griffy Lake Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan Feb 2017.pdf If it's land stuff, I suspect autumn olive, bush honeysuckle and/or garlic mustard. Bruce

Not Hericium. I don't know what it is. Bruce

This is not really on-topic, but has become something of an FAQ. So I'll answer it anyway. I've never seen "magic" mushrooms growing wild in Indiana. If this is really important to you, you will have to buy spore syringes and grow them out yourself. See https://www.sporebank.com/ and https://www.mushroomvideos.com/BRF-Pf-Tek). There are other spore suppliers on the web, and many other resources providing advice as to mushroom propagation. As to whether any of these sites are monitored by the DEA, I can't answer that. Bruce

Looks like wood ear to me, too. One side is typically fuzzy-looking while the other is smooth. Although you should never rely on others to identify mushrooms for you, I think you're pretty safe with this one. You may be disappointed, though. Wood ears aren't exactly flavorful...they are used to add texture. Your best bet is to chop them up for a soup. A Google search will turn up plenty of recipes. Bruce

Never took a class, but have read several books. I can recommend the following: https://smile.amazon.com/Edible-Mushrooms-America-Field-kitchen/dp/0292720807/ https://smile.amazon.com/National-Audubon-Society-American-Mushrooms/dp/0394519922 https://smile.amazon.com/Edible-Mushrooms-Illinois-Surrounding-Kitchen/dp/0252076435/ https://smile.amazon.com/100-Edible-Mushrooms-Michael-Kuo/dp/0472031260 Hope this helps, Bruce

Beautiful! I haven't been out mushrooming all year. Shame on me. Bruce

Yes, it looks like a Pluteus. I've never had the nerve to pick and eat one. Too many look-alikes. For sure I would never attempt to ID it for you only to have you get sick. I suggest you continue to educate yourself on both the mushrooms and the risks and avoid putting your health in the hands of others. Regards, Bruce

Looks like Tylopilus felleus Regards, Bruce

Agreed...it's Artomyces pyxidatus. They are actually quite tasty, but you have to collect a lot of them, and it can be a chore to remove all the wood particles. Beware of look-alikes, particularly various species of Ramaria. Bruce

Agreed. Past it's prime, though. Cincinnatus have the white underside and often appear on roots instead of exposed wood (as opposed to sulphureus). Bruce

Here in central IN, I've never found any before Independence Day. I went out looking earlier this week, thinking that maybe we've had the rain and degree-days this year so that they'd be up a little early. Nope.

I can't speak to this one. Have you found anything yet? The Stamets book referenced earlier might have some recommendations (I don't actually own the book, but have read a friend's copy). Sounds cool, though. I wish you luck on the morels. They are very resistant to cultivation...if it was easy a lot of people would already be doing it. Regards, Bruce

A few tips and pics is unlikely to get the job done. To do this right, you need a good book, like "The Mushroom Cultivator" by Paul Stamets. Mushroom propagation is not like growing plants...trying to do it based on YouTube videos is a path to failure. I do suggest that you start with oyster mushrooms. They tend to be very hardy and if you can't grow those, you can't grow anything! Good luck, Bruce

No idea. Seem to be discolored by frost.

Yeah, I think so. I have some of these growing on stump roots in my back yard.