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Western KY / Pennyrile Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

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Western KY / Pennyrile

350–700 ft · KY🚗 Directions

Good

Western Coalfield and Pennyrile region — Pennyrile SF, Mammoth Cave NP, and the Land Between the Lakes east shore. Bottomland hardwoods (sycamore, elm, sweetgum, hackberry) along the Green and Cumberland river systems with upland white oak / hickory ridges. Classic flatland morel country — peak yellow morel territory in the dying-elm and tulip poplar bottoms during late March / early April. Chanterelles after summer storms; chicken-of-the-woods on white and post oak.

Trees:Sycamore White Oak Sweetgum

Updated Oct 11, 5:17 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

Western KY's Pennyrile is a Good fruiting setup right now: soil is sitting at 61.9°F, no drought, and the moisture trigger is met after 1.5" over the past week. Nearly the whole species list is running high-confidence, so the practical focus is the fall hardwood crowd: Chicken of the Woods, Hen of the Woods, Honey Mushroom, Lion's Mane, Bear's Head Tooth, Blewit, Hedgehog, Smooth Chanterelle, Wine Cap, and Giant Puffball. Black Trumpet is the one marginal species, with soil right at its 62°F minimum and only 4 of 7 days above threshold, so expect spotty flushes there. Moisture is the limiting factor: volumetric water content is 0.21 today against a 0.18 seven-day average, which is adequate but not generous, and 1.58" over 14 days means almost all of that rain landed recently. Watch for the next rain event and any soil cooling below 60°F. Another half inch or more would push flushes harder, while a dry week would stall ground-fruiting species first, and wood-dwellers will hold longer. Look-alikes are in play too. Death Cap, Destroying Angel, Deadly Galerina, and Green-Gill Lepiota are all flagged as fruiting under the same conditions, so Honey Mushroom clusters, Blewit patches, and Parasol and Meadow Mushroom flushes all carry real overlap risk. Spore prints and full-base digs are mandatory. Hot tip: Hit mature oak and beech stands on north- and east-facing slopes and lower drainages, where moisture is holding best, and check the bases of standing oaks for Hen of the Woods and Chicken of the Woods before the next dry spell dries out the surface.

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 Potential80/100

✅Moisture

✅Soil Temp

✅No Freeze

✅No Drought

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Viable Species

Confidence × Primordia state

HIGHPrimed

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

MODERATEActivating

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

soil temp marginal (62°F vs 62°F min, 4/7 days above), today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18

HIGHPrimed

Honey MushroomArmillaria mellea

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Destroying AngelAmanita bisporigera

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

BlewitLepista nuda

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Liberty CapPsilocybe semilanceata

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

EarthstarGeastrum triplex

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Deadly GalerinaGalerina marginata

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Scarlet WaxcapHygrocybe coccinea

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Violet WebcapCortinarius violaceus

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

BlusherAmanita rubescens

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Gem-Studded PuffballLycoperdon perlatum

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow PatchesAmanita flavoconia

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Poison PieHebeloma crustuliniforme

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Blackening RussulaRussula nigricans

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Winter PolyporePolyporus brumalis

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Elfin SaddleHelvella crispa

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Tooth JellyPseudohydnum gelatinosum

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Crested CoralClavulina cristata

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Elm OysterHypsizygus ulmarius

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Devil's CigarChorioactis geaster

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Aniseed FunnelClitocybe odora

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Winter Mushroom / Wild EnokiFlammulina velutipes

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Rooted CollybiaXerula furfuracea

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

The DeceiverLaccaria laccata

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Lantern StinkhornLysurus mokusin

All conditions met (soil 62°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.21 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

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.