08. Master Index: 50+ Wild Edible Mushrooms of Finland

Suomen 50+ Syötävää Luonnonsientä • 芬兰50+常见食用野生蘑菇全景图谱

Finland’s pristine taiga and hemiboreal forests host over 50 commercially approved and traditional wild edible mushroom species (kauppasienet ja perinteiset ruokasienet). While novices should always begin with the "Safe Five", intermediate and seasoned foragers can explore this definitive taxonomic index of 54 edible species found across Southern Finland and Uusimaa.

How to Read the Edibility Codes

*** Choice Gourmet (Erinomainen): Premier culinary mushroom; pan-fry directly in butter with no pre-boiling needed.
** Good Edible (Hyvä): Flavorful, firm edible mushroom; excellent in stews, soups, pies, or dried.
* Edible (Syötävä): Mild edible; pleasant culinary filler or best mixed with stronger species.
!* Edible Only After Parboiling (Ryöpättävä): Contains acrid or bitter latex/toxins that are completely destroyed or removed by boiling in water for 5–15 minutes and rinsing.

1. Chanterelles, Funnels & Horns (Vahverot ja Torvisienet)

All species in this group have blunt ridges (poimut) or smooth/wrinkled outer surfaces. None have paper-thin, blade-like true gills.

#	Scientific Name	English Name	Finnish Name	Chinese Name	Partner Tree	Rating	Key Field Clues
01	Cantharellus cibarius	Golden Chanterelle	Keltavahvero (Kantarelli)	鸡油菌 / 黄鸡油菌	Birch, Pine	`***`	Egg-yolk yellow; decurrent blunt ridges; apricot scent; solid yellow stem.
02	Craterellus tubaeformis	Funnel Chanterelle	Suppilovahvero	漏斗鸡油菌 / 黄脚菇	Spruce	`***`	Brown funnel cap with deep hole; hollow bright yellow stem; grey-yellow ridges. Late autumn peak.
03	Craterellus lutescens	Yellow Foot / Flame Chanterelle	Kosteikkovahvero	黄柄黄肉鸡油菌	Spruce, Pine	`***`	Bright orange-yellow hollow stem; pale grey-orange nearly smooth underside; intensely fruity perfume. Found in mossy bogs.
04	Craterellus cornucopioides	Black Trumpet / Horn of Plenty	Mustatorvisieni	灰包号角菇 / 黑号角菇	Hazel, Oak, Birch	`***`	Thin, charcoal-black to ash-grey hollow horn; smooth/wrinkled exterior. "Black truffle of the north."
05	Cantharellus amethysteus	Amethyst Chanterelle	Samettivahvero	紫绒鸡油菌	Birch, Beech	`**`	Resembles golden chanterelle but with lilac/purple appressed scales across cap center.

2. Boletes & Porcini (Tatit)

Characterized by a spongy layer of vertical tubes/pores underneath the cap instead of gills. Easily peeled away from cap flesh.

#	Scientific Name	English Name	Finnish Name	Chinese Name	Partner Tree	Rating	Key Field Clues
06	Boletus edulis	King Bolete / Porcini	Herkkutatti (Kangasherkkutatti)	美味牛肝菌 / 白牛肝菌	Spruce, Birch	`***`	Bun-brown greasy cap; spongy pores (white -> yellow-olive); white reticulation on upper stem.
07	Boletus pinophilus	Pine Bolete	Männynherkkutatti	松生牛肝菌 / 红牛肝菌	Scots Pine	`***`	Deep mahogany/wine-red cap; heavy swollen stem with reddish-brown net. Found in dry pine-lichen heaths.
08	Boletus reticulatus	Summer Cep	Tammenherkkutatti	网纹牛肝菌	Oak, Hazel, Birch	`***`	Pale fawn-buff dry velvety cap; pronounced white net running all the way down the stem. Early summer/autumn.
09	Leccinum versipelle	Orange Birch Bolete	Koivunpunikkitatti	白桦红绒盖牛肝菌	Birch (Koivu)	`**`	Bright orange-red cap; stem densely covered with black rough woolly scales (tupsumaiset suomut). Flesh turns grey-black on cooking. Needs thorough cooking (>15 min).
10	Leccinum vulpinum	Pine Red-Capped Scaber	Männynpunikkitatti	松生红盖牛肝菌	Scots Pine	`**`	Dark brick-red cap; heavy stem with brown-to-black rough scales. Found in dry pine heaths. Cook thoroughly.
11	Leccinum aurantiacum	Aspen Bolete	Haavanpunikkitatti	欧洲山杨牛肝菌	Aspen (Haapa)	`**`	Warm orange-tan cap; stem scales initially white, turning reddish-brown to black. Cook thoroughly.
12	Leccinum scabrum	Brown Birch Bolete	Lehmäntatti	褐疣柄牛肝菌	Birch	`*`	Grey-brown soft cap; slender stem with grey-black scales. Flesh stays white when cut. Soft texture; best in soups.
13	Leccinum variicolor	Mottled Bolete	Kirjotatti	斑褐疣柄牛肝菌	Birch (in bogs)	`**`	Marbled, mottled grey-brown cap; stem base bruising distinct blue-green. Firm flesh.
14	Suillus luteus	Slippery Jack	Voitatti	褐环乳牛肝菌 / 黄油牛肝	Scots Pine	`**`	Dark chocolate slimy cap; large purple-white membranous ring on stem. Peel slimy skin before cooking!
15	Suillus variegatus	Velvet Bolete	Kangastatti	斑点乳牛肝菌 / 细点牛肝	Scots Pine	`**`	Ochre-yellow dry velvety cap; orange-yellow flesh bruising faintly blue; metallic/pine aroma. Outstanding dried.
16	Suillus bovinus	Bovine Bolete	Nummitatti	牛乳牛肝菌	Scots Pine	`*`	Elastic yellow-buff cap; wide composite pores running down stem; spongy rubbery flesh. Often forms rings with Gomphidius roseus.
17	Suillus grevillei	Larch Bolete	Lehtikuusentatti	落叶松乳牛肝菌	Larch (Lehtikuusi)	`**`	Bright golden-yellow to orange-chestnut slimy cap; prominent yellow ring. Strictly under larch trees in parks.

3. Tooth Fungi & Hedgehogs (Orakkaat)

Underneath the cap, these mushrooms produce thousands of fragile, soft, hanging spines (piikit / orakset). In Finland, there are zero poisonous mushrooms with spines underneath the cap!

#	Scientific Name	English Name	Finnish Name	Chinese Name	Partner Tree	Rating	Key Field Clues
18	Hydnum repandum	Wood Hedgehog	Vaaleaorakas	卷缘齿菌 / 白齿菌	Spruce, Birch	`***`	Cream-buff cap; soft white spines underneath that brush off with a finger; firm brittle chalk-like flesh. 100% bug-free.
19	Hydnum rufescens	Terracotta Hedgehog	Rusko-orakas	红齿菌 / 红褐齿菌	Pine, Spruce	`**`	Smaller than H. repandum; warm orange-terracotta cap; central stem; fragile spines. Excellent nutty sauté.

4. Polypores & Bracket Relatives (Käävät ja Kääpämäiset)

Terrestrial polypores that grow on the ground with tiny, tight pore layers.

#	Scientific Name	English Name	Finnish Name	Chinese Name	Partner Tree	Rating	Key Field Clues
20	Albatrellus ovinus	Sheep Polypore	Lampaankääpä	绵羊地花菌 / 绵羊多孔菌	Norway Spruce	`***`	Chunky creamy-white to buff irregular cap; tiny white pores; bruises greenish-yellow when fried in butter! Very popular in Finland.
21	Albatrellus confluens	Northern Fleshy Polypore	Typäskääpä	融合地花菌	Spruce, Pine	`*`	Apricot-orange to terracotta clustered caps; white pores. Mildly bitter when old; best young or pickled.
22	Laetiporus sulphureus	Chicken of the Woods	Rikkikääpä	硫色绚孔菌 / 森林之鸡	Oak (Tammi)	`**`	Grows on oak trunks; bright sulphur-yellow and electric orange brackets. Harvest only tender young outer margins.

5. Directly Edible Milkcaps (Miedot Rouskut)

Unlike the acrid milkcaps, these species have sweet, carrot-orange, or mild milky latex and do NOT require parboiling.

#	Scientific Name	English Name	Finnish Name	Chinese Name	Partner Tree	Rating	Key Field Clues
23	Lactarius deliciosus	Saffron Milkcap	Männynleppärousku	松乳菇 / 松树红菇	Scots Pine	`***`	Concentric carrot rings; carrot-orange milk; stains emerald green; hollow pitted stem. Pan-fry directly.
24	Lactarius deterrimus	Spruce Milkcap	Kuusenleppärousku	劣味乳菇 / 云杉乳菇	Norway Spruce	`**`	Similar to Saffron milkcap, but smaller, growing with spruce. Milk turns wine-red after 15 min; stains green.
25	Lactarius volemus	Weeping Milkcap	Kultarousku	橙黄乳菇	Birch, Oak, Hazel	`***`	Velvety tawny-orange cap; voluminous white milk; fish/crab-like aroma when cooking. Choice edible without boiling.

6. Traditional Salting Milkcaps (Kirpeät Rouskut - Ryöpättävät)

The backbone of Finland's traditional wild mushroom cuisine. These mushrooms contain sharp, fiery-acrid latex that must be neutralized by parboiling in water (ryöppäys) for 5–15 minutes before curing in salt or sour cream (sienisalaatti).

#	Scientific Name	English Name	Finnish Name	Chinese Name	Partner Tree	Rating	Pre-Treatment & Field Clues
26	Lactarius trivialis	Northern Milkcap	Haaparousku	灰紫乳菇 / 白杨乳菇	Birch, Aspen, Spruce	`!` -> `**`	Parboil 10 min. Lead-grey to lilac-purple slippery cap; white milk staining grey-green. Finland’s #1 mushroom for Christmas salad!
27	Lactarius utilis	Pale Northern Milkcap	Kalvashaaparousku	浅色白杨乳菇	Birch	`!` -> `**`	Parboil 10 min. Uniform pale cream-buff to yellowish-tan large cap. Equal in quality to L. trivialis.
28	Lactarius torminosus	Woolly Milkcap	Karvarousku	窝柄毛乳菇 / 白桦毛乳菇	Silver Birch	`!` -> `**`	Parboil 10 min. Pink zoned cap with shaggy woolly beard on inrolled margin. White burning milk.
29	Lactarius rufus	Rufous Milkcap	Kangasrousku	赤红乳菇 / 松林红乳菇	Scots Pine	`!` -> `*`	Parboil 10 min. Terracotta cap with sharp pointed center pimple (nypy). Abundant in dry pine heaths.
30	Lactarius necator	Ugly Milkcap	Mustarousku	丑乳菇 / 墨黑乳菇	Birch, Spruce	`!` -> `*`	Parboil 15 min. Dark olive-black slimy cap; hairy margin; white milk. Firm meaty crunch after boiling.
31	Lactarius mammosus	Fenugreek Milkcap	Kangaspalsamirousku	香乳菇	Scots Pine	`**`	Dry brown-grey velvety cap; faint coconut/curry aroma. Mild latex; can be salted or dried for spice.

7. Brittlegills (Haperot / Russula)

Brittle flesh that snaps like chalk; no latex; no ring. Use the Russula Taste Test (Haperosääntö): nibble a pea-sized piece of the cap—if mild and nutty, it is safe to cook; if burning peppery, discard!

#	Scientific Name	English Name	Finnish Name	Chinese Name	Partner Tree	Rating	Key Field Clues
32	Russula decolorans	Copper Brittlegill	Kangashapero	褪色红菇 / 铜黄红菇	Scots Pine	`***`	Copper-orange to apricot cap; white gills; flesh and stem bruise ash-grey when cut. Completely mild.
33	Russula paludosa	Marsh Brittlegill	Isohapero	沼泽红菇 / 苹果红菇	Pine bogs, Birch	`***`	Huge blood-red to apple-red shiny cap (up to 15 cm); stem flushed with delicate pink. Sweet nutty crunch.
34	Russula claroflava	Yellow Swamp Brittlegill	Keltahapero	鲜黄红菇	Downy Birch (Koivu)	`***`	Brilliant chrome-yellow cap; gills and stem turn grey when bruised. Mild, sweet, outstanding flavor.
35	Russula aeruginea	Green Birch Brittlegill	Koivunhapero	铜绿红菇 / 绿红菇	Birch	`**`	Pale grass-green to olive cap; cream gills. Mild nutty flavor. (Never confuse with death cap—has NO ring, NO cup!).
36	Russula cyanoxantha	Charcoal Burner	Kyyhkyshapero	蓝黄红菇 / 变色红菇	Oak, Beech, Birch	`***`	Marbled purple, slate-blue, and olive cap. Gills feel greasy/flexible and do NOT shatter! Top European gourmet.
37	Russula vesca	Bare-Toothed Russula	Palterohapero	萎缩红菇 / 露齿红菇	Birch, Oak, Pine	`***`	Ham-pink to brownish-flesh cap with skin not quite reaching the rim (exposing white teeth of gills). Sweet hazelnut taste.
38	Russula xerampelina	Crab Brittlegill	Sillihapero	枯焦红菇 / 鲱鱼红菇	Pine, Spruce	`**`	Wine-red to purple cap; yellow-ochre gills; bruises brownish. Unmistakable aroma of boiled crab or shellfish when cooked!
39	Russula vinosa	Dark-Veined Brittlegill	Viinihapero	暗紫红菇	Spruce, Pine	`***`	Deep wine-purple velvety cap; flesh greys quickly on exposure. Delicious sweet table mushroom.
40	Russula integra	Entire Russula	Mantelihapero	完整红菇 / 变色红菇	Conifers, Spruce	`**`	Brownish-red to purple-brown cap; yellow gills; sweet nutty almond flavor. Prime edible.

8. Gilled Mushrooms, Agarics & Puffballs (Helttasienet ja Kupusienet)

Gilled forest floor mushrooms and terrestrial fungi outside the aforementioned families.

#	Scientific Name	English Name	Finnish Name	Chinese Name	Partner Tree / Substrate	Rating	Key Field Clues
41	Cortinarius caperatus	Gypsy Mushroom	Kehnäsieni	卷边丝膜菌 / 吉普赛菇	Spruce, Pine, Blueberry	`***`	Straw-yellow cap dusted with silvery-white frost (kehittyvä huurre); distinct membranous ring; ochre clay gills.
42	Tricholoma matsutake	Pine Matsutake	Tuoksuvalmuska / Männyntuoksuvalmuska	松口蘑 / 芬兰野生松茸	Scots Pine (Kuiva kangas)	`***`	Prized Nordic Matsutake (DNA-identical to Japanese Matsutake; Finnish kauppasieni since 2007). Brown fibrous scales; persistent cottony ring; intense sweet-spicy cinnamon & pine resin aroma. Dry sandy lichen heaths. Distinguish from mealy-scented T. focale!
43	Tricholoma portentosum	Charbonnier / Striped Tricholoma	Harmaavalmuska	灰白口蘑 / 晚秋口蘑	Scots Pine	`***`	Slate-grey streaked cap with yellowish sheen; pale yellow-tinted gills and stem; pleasant meal/flour odor. Fruits late Oct–Nov.
44	Macrolepiota procera	Parasol Mushroom	Ukonsieni	高大环柄菇 / 巨伞菇	Sunny forest glades	`***`	Massive cap (15–30 cm) with brown shaggy scales; tall snakeskin-patterned stem with loose sliding ring. Pan-fry cap like a schnitzel.
45	Agaricus arvensis	Horse Mushroom	Peltoherkkusieni	野生白蘑菇 / 白田头菇	Grassy forest clearings	`***`	Pure white cap; pink gills turning chocolate brown; cogwheel ring; rich sweet almond/anise aroma.
46	Agaricus silvaticus	Blushing Wood Mushroom	Tapionherkkusieni	森林蘑菇 / 红汁蘑菇	Norway Spruce	`***`	Brown scaly cap; free brown gills; flesh stains immediately blood-red when sliced. Delicious in spruce woods.
47	Coprinus comatus	Shaggy Mane / Lawyer's Wig	Suomumustesieni	毛头鬼伞 / 鸡腿菇	Road verges, rich soil	`***`	Tall cylindrical white shaggy cap. Must be cooked within 3 hours of picking before it auto-digests into black ink!
48	Infundibulicybe geotropa	Trooping Funnel	Jättimalikka	地生杯伞 / 大杯伞	Deciduous groves, Spruce	`**`	Giant pale cream funnel-shaped cap with central bump; decurrent pale gills; sweet almond blossom fragrance.
49	Clitocybe nebularis	Clouded Agaric	Härmämalikka	灰假杯伞 / 雾霭杯伞	Spruce needles, leaf litter	`!*`	Parboil 10 min. Giant ash-grey clouded cap; crowded decurrent gills; strong spicy cabbage odor.
50	Marasmius oreades	Fairy Ring Champignon	Nurminahikas	硬柄小皮伞	Grassy forest paths, pastures	`***`	Small tan cap with central bump; widely spaced pale gills; tough wiry stem (use caps only). Intense nutty sweetness.
51	Armillaria mellea sensu lato	Honey Mushroom	Mesisieni	假蜜环菌 / 榛蘑	Decaying birch/spruce wood	`!` -> `*`	Parboil 10 min. Clustered honey-yellow caps with dark scales; white ring. Quintessential Chinese soup/stew mushroom (榛蘑炖小鸡).
52	Kuehneromyces mutabilis	Sheathed Woodtuft	Koivunkantosieni	变色库氏菇 / 桦树平菇	Birch stumps	`***`	Two-toned watery brown caps in clusters; scaly stem below ring. Advanced only—distinguish strictly from deadly Galerina marginata!
53	Calvatia gigantea	Giant Puffball	Jättituhkelo	大马勃 / 巨型马勃	Rich meadows, forest glades	`**`	Massive white sphere (20–50 cm). Must be harvested when flesh is pure solid snow-white throughout. Slice and fry like French toast.
54	Lycoperdon perlatum	Common Puffball	Nuijakuukunen	网纹马勃 / 珍珠马勃	Spruce needles, mossy paths	`**`	Small white club with tiny warts that rub off. Slice in half: interior must be pure uniform white (no gill outline).

Summary: Mycorrhizal Symbiosis with Finland's Big Three Trees

       [ Silver Birch (Koivu) ]           [ Scots Pine (Mänty) ]          [ Norway Spruce (Kuusi) ]
       ---------------------------           -------------------------          ----------------------------
       • Golden Chanterelle (#01)            • Golden Chanterelle (#01)         • Funnel Chanterelle (#02)
       • Orange Birch Bolete (#09)           • Pine Bolete / Porcini (#07)      • King Bolete / Porcini (#06)
       • Brown Birch Bolete (#12)            • Saffron Milkcap (#23)            • Wood Hedgehog (#18)
       • Woolly Milkcap (#28)                • Rufous Milkcap (#29)             • Sheep Polypore (#20)
       • Northern Milkcap (#26)              • Copper Brittlegill (#32)         • Blushing Wood Mushroom (#46)
       • Yellow Swamp Brittlegill (#34)      • Velvet & Slippery Jack (#14/15)  • Gypsy Mushroom (#41)
       • Black Trumpet (in mixed lehto)      • Nordic Matsutake (#42)           • Northern Milkcap (#26)