Gymnopilus luteus

One of the so called "magic mushroom" species, Gymnopilus luteus is found in hardwood forests of the eastern United States. Young specimens are bright yellow, gaining orange tones as they age. Spores are rusty brown and flesh is bitter. These were found growing from the buried remains of an oak stump. This mushroom is often included under the species group of G. junonius (=G. spectabilus), or Big Laughing Jim Mushroom. The photograph was taken under the rich colors of an evening sky after sunset.