The Beautiful Orange Mushrooms

Sometimes the colors of nature are so brilliant, so striking ... that you just have to stop your car by the side of the road, get out, walk across with your camera in hand, and take a picture of it (even if people are slowing down to stare at you.)

That was the case today.  I was on my way to see mom, and along the retirement village drive I spotted this absolutely striking patch of orange color.  It was just radiant in a sea of green.

I couldn't believe my eyes.  Remarkable.  And, of course, I looked them up on the internet.

There were a number of different kinds orange colored mushrooms (who knew...), but the Jack-O'-Lantern Mushrooms seemed to be the closest in description.

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Jack-O'-Lantern (Omphalotus olearius)

This bright-orange mushroom is well named. Not only is it pumpkin-colored and found in the fall, but it also glows in the dark. Fresh specimens sometimes give off a faint greenish glow at night or in a darkened room.

These common mushrooms have caused many poisonings because they look, smell and even taste good. They cause mild to severe stomach upset but are not life-threatening to healthy adults.

Jack-o'-lanterns have a pleasant, fruity fragrance. They are sometimes mistaken for the edible chanterelle, which is the same color and also has a pleasant smell. Chanterelles, however, have flat-edged, interconnecting ridges or wrinkles instead of knife-like gills and grow on the ground. Size: 3 to 10 inches tall, cap 3 to 8 inches diameter.

These mushrooms are found in summer and fall, in large clusters at the base of trees, on stumps or on buried wood.

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The only difference is that these were not growing at a base of a tree - they did appear to be just growing on the ground.  Maybe there was some buried wood I didn't see.

I think they are just beautiful.

So, does anyone know what these are?