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Southern IA Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

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Southern IA

700–1,300 ft · IA🚗 Directions

S

Southern Iowa rolling hills with oak-hickory forest remnants and old apple orchards. Stephens SF, Lake Red Rock area, and scattered timber along creek corridors. Dying ash and elm are reliable morel producers.

Trees:White Oak Hickory Cottonwood

Updated Aug 27, 4:11 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

Southern Iowa is firing on all cylinders right now—S-tier is earned, not given. You've got sustained soil warmth at 71°F, steady moisture (3.55" over two weeks, 1.17" in the last week), and absolutely zero drought stress. That's the holy trinity for August fruiting across a staggering diversity of species. The breadth here is almost absurd: you're looking at prime conditions for both choice edibles (Chicken, Shaggy Mane, Hedgehog, multiple puffballs) and wood-decay specialists (Turkey Tail, Artist's Conk, Coral Tooth), plus all the saprobics capitalizing on fresh duff. There is no limiting factor—substrate availability and host-tree distribution are your only real constraints now. Watch the next 72 hours for any hard rain, which could trigger a synchronized flush across fast-fruiting species like Shaggy Manes and meadow mushrooms; that window is often brief and explosively productive. Hot tip: Target oak and aspen edges in well-drained south-facing zones—the marginal extra warmth will push bolete and Milky Cap timing 24–48 hours ahead of wetter low spots, giving you first-pick advantage on the good boletes (Frost's, Two-Colored) before they bruise.

Generated by Claude (Anthropic) from the structured weather, soil, and phenology data on this page. The LLM can misread edge cases — treat this as a starting hypothesis, not a guarantee. Always verify conditions on the ground before committing to a long drive.

Foraging Potential95/100

✅Moisture

✅Soil Temp

✅No Freeze

✅No Drought

Precip 7d

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Nearby Camping

Within(2)

Forest Lake Camp & Conference Center

developed

Iowa Baptist Convention~6.7 mi from center

Lake Wapello State Park Campground

developed

~7.3 mi from center

⚠ Road Access Notice

Always verify road access is public before following GPS directions to mountain areas. Many forest roads are seasonal, gated, or require 4WD. Dispersed camping follows USFS/BLM rules (typically 14-day limit). Check ranger district offices for current road and campground conditions.

Viable Species

Confidence × Primordia state

HIGHPrimed

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Destroying AngelAmanita bisporigera

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

EarthstarGeastrum triplex

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen BoleteLeccinum insigne

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Indigo Milk CapLactarius indigo

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Crown-Tipped CoralArtomyces pyxidatus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Deadly GalerinaGalerina marginata

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Cinnabar ChanterelleCantharellus cinnabarinus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Violet WebcapCortinarius violaceus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Berkeley's PolyporeBondarzewia berkeleyi

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Capped Scaber StalkLeccinum aurantiacum

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Frost's BoleteBoletus frostii

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Two-Colored BoleteBoletus bicolor

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

BlusherAmanita rubescens

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Caesar's AmanitaAmanita jacksonii

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Weeping Milk CapLactifluus volemus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Gem-Studded PuffballLycoperdon perlatum

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow PatchesAmanita flavoconia

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Poison PieHebeloma crustuliniforme

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

HuitlacocheUstilago maydis

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

CordycepsCordyceps militaris

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bitter BoleteTylopilus felleus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green Cracked RussulaRussula virescens

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Blackening RussulaRussula nigricans

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Peppery Milk CapLactarius piperatus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

GrisetteAmanita vaginata

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Coker's AmanitaAmanita cokeri

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Northern ToothClimacodon septentrionalis

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Eyelash CupScutellinia scutellata

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Crested CoralClavulina cristata

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dog Vomit Slime MoldFuligo septica

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aniseed FunnelClitocybe odora

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parasite BoletePseudoboletus parasiticus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Rooted CollybiaXerula furfuracea

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

The DeceiverLaccaria laccata

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Banded MottlegillPanaeolus cinctulus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-Gilled GymGymnopilus luteofolius

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Common StinkhornPhallus impudicus

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dune StinkhornPhallus hadriani

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

All conditions met (soil 71°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

Primordia readiness: Cold = mycelium dormant. Activating = soil warming, primordia building. Primed = 5+ sustained warm days at species threshold; fruiting imminent if moisture cooperates. Based on Schmidt 1983 / Mihail 2007.