Take a Clear Photo
Photograph the cap, underside, stem and base in natural light. A second angle can reveal details hidden in the first picture.
AI-powered mushroom recognition
Free AI Mushroom Identifier by Photo
Upload a clear mushroom picture to explore possible species, scientific names, key identification features, habitat, growing season and similar-looking fungi.
✓Free online tool✓No account required✓Photo or camera✓Fast possible matches
Identify your mushroomPrivate upload
Photos are processed securely and aren't stored
Golden Chanterelle
Cantharellus cibarius
Example match
Explore sample mushrooms
Identify by PhotoUpload from camera or gallery
Possible MatchesCompare similar-looking species
Detailed InformationFeatures, habitat and season
Any DeviceMobile, tablet and desktop
Simple photo identification
Identify a Mushroom in Three Simple Steps
Use a clear photo, include the most useful visible structures and compare the suggested results with the mushroom you found.
Upload to ePlant AI
Select a mushroom image from your device or take a new picture. The tool analyses visible characteristics in the photo.
Compare Possible Matches
Review names, visible features, habitat and look-alikes. Treat every result as a suggestion rather than confirmed identification.
Better identification photos
Show the Features That Matter
A mushroom picture is more useful when it shows the structures used to compare species—not only the colour of the cap.
1Top of the cap
2Gills, pores or ridges
3Full stem and ring
4Stem base or volva
5Growing surface
6Nearby trees or habitat
Photo tip: Place a familiar object nearby for scale, but avoid touching an unknown mushroom more than necessary.
What mushroom is this?
Visible Clues Used in Mushroom Identification
Colour can change with age, moisture and lighting. A stronger mushroom ID uses several visible and environmental clues together.
Cap Shape
Convex, flat, bell-shaped or funnel-like.
Underside
Gills, pores, ridges, teeth or a smooth surface.
Stem & Base
Thickness, texture, ring, bulb or cup-like structure.
Colour & Bruising
Surface colour and visible changes after damage.
Habitat
Grass, soil, dead wood, living trees or leaf litter.
Season & Location
When and where the mushroom was photographed.
Visual mushroom guide
Identify Different Types of Mushrooms and Fungi
Start with the broad form and underside structure, then use the photo identifier to explore possible species within that group.
01
Gilled & Ridged Mushrooms
Compare true gills with blunt, forked or decurrent ridges.
02
Bolete Mushrooms
Often recognised by a sponge-like pore surface beneath the cap.
03
Bracket Fungi
Shelf-like fruiting bodies commonly found on trunks and dead wood.
04
Morels
Distinctive pitted caps, yet still important to compare with false morels.
05
Coral Fungi
Branched, club-like forms that may resemble underwater coral.
06
Amanita Group
Cap remnants, rings and stem-base structures can be important clues.
Identification by habitat
Where Is the Mushroom Growing?
Habitat does not confirm a species, but it can help narrow the range of possible mushroom and fungus matches.
Lawn Mushrooms
Include the grass condition, growth pattern and whether mushrooms form clusters, lines or rings.
Explore lawn mushroom identification →Woodland Mushrooms
Photograph nearby tree species, moss, needles and leaf litter to provide useful habitat context.
Identify a woodland mushroom →Tree & Wood Fungi
Show both a close-up and a wider image of the trunk, stump, branch or decaying wood.
Explore tree fungus identification →Field Mushrooms
Open grassland, grazing history and nearby vegetation may help distinguish likely groups.
View the field mushroom guide →Garden Mushrooms
Mulch, compost, raised beds and recently disturbed soil can support different fungal communities.
Scan a garden mushroom →Dead Wood & Stumps
Look for layered shelves, pores, colour bands, texture and whether the fungus is annual or persistent.
Identify wood-growing fungi →Possible result details
What You Can Learn from a Mushroom Photo
The result should give users useful comparison information rather than only displaying one name.
Possible Species
Common names, scientific names and more than one visual suggestion when features overlap.
Key Characteristics
Cap, underside, stem, ring, base, texture, growth pattern and other visible clues.
Typical Habitat
Common substrates and environments where the possible species is usually reported.
Growing Season
General seasonal information that can be compared with the date of your observation.
Look-Alike Comparison
Similar mushrooms and visible differences worth checking before accepting a suggested match.
Safety Guidance
Clear uncertainty labels and reminders that online identification cannot confirm edibility.
Mushroom look-alikes
Why Similar Mushrooms Need Careful Comparison
Two mushrooms can share a cap colour or general shape while differing in the underside, stem base, habitat or internal structure.
Compare More Than Cap Colour
✓Check whether the underside has true gills, pores, ridges or teeth.✓Look for a ring, bulb or cup-like structure around the stem base.✓Confirm that the reported habitat and season fit your observation.
Use Multiple Angles and Context
✓Photograph young and mature specimens when they occur together.✓Show a clean cross-section only when advised by a knowledgeable expert.✓Do not use a visual match as proof that a mushroom is edible.
Important safety notice
Can AI Tell Whether a Mushroom Is Safe to Eat?
No photo-based tool can examine every feature required for a confirmed mushroom identification. Some poisonous mushrooms closely resemble edible species.
- Never consume a wild mushroom based only on an AI, app or online photo result.
- Do not describe a visual match as "confirmed", "guaranteed edible" or "100% safe".
- Seek in-person verification from a qualified local mushroom expert before considering consumption.
- Keep children and pets away from unknown wild mushrooms.
Possible ingestion: Contact your local poison information service or emergency medical provider immediately. Do not wait for symptoms and do not rely on this page for diagnosis.
Ready to identify your photo?
Find Possible Mushroom Matches in Seconds
Upload a clear picture and compare possible names, visible features, habitat and look-alikes with ePlant AI.
Mushroom identification questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about photo quality, fungi identification, possible matches and safety limitations.
How can I identify a mushroom from a picture?
Upload a clear image that shows the entire mushroom. Include the cap, underside, stem and base whenever possible. The tool can compare visible characteristics and suggest possible mushroom or fungus matches with supporting information.
Is the ePlant AI mushroom identifier free?
The browser-based tool is designed to be available online without requiring an immediate app download. Any scan limits or optional premium features should be stated clearly beside the upload area.
What parts of a mushroom should I photograph?
Photograph the top of the cap, the gills, pores, ridges or teeth underneath, the full stem, any ring, the stem base and the surrounding habitat. A second image from another angle often improves the comparison.
Can AI tell whether a mushroom is edible?
No. A visual result must never be treated as confirmation that a wild mushroom is edible. Toxic species can resemble edible species, and important characteristics may not be visible in a photograph.
Can the tool identify fungi growing on trees?
It can suggest possible matches for visible shelf fungi, bracket fungi and other fruiting bodies. Include a close-up plus a wider photograph showing the tree, branch, stump or decaying wood.
Why does the result show multiple possible matches?
Many mushroom species share similar colours, forms and growth patterns. Displaying alternatives helps users compare visible features, season and habitat instead of treating one result as a guaranteed answer.
Can I identify lawn mushrooms from a photo?
Yes, a clear photo can help suggest possible lawn mushroom groups. Also show the grass, soil, growth pattern and nearby trees. A dedicated lawn mushroom guide can provide additional context.
What is the difference between a mushroom and a fungus?
Fungus refers to the entire organism, much of which may exist as a network called mycelium. A mushroom is a visible fruiting body produced by some fungi. Not every fungus produces a typical cap-and-stem mushroom.