October 7, 2025, 7:06 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Since 1994, the German Society for Mycology (DGfM) has selected a Mushroom of the Year annually. This year, the jury has chosen a gourmet mushroom. In Germany, it is also on the Red List (category two). myHOMEBOOK explains why this specimen was chosen as the Mushroom of the Year 2026.
Why Is the Mushroom of the Year Chosen?
“The presented species is meant to represent all mushrooms and draw public attention to the important role of fungi in our ecosystem,” writes the DGfM. In a time when high-tech and environmental issues are significant topics, it is increasingly necessary to reconnect people with nature, the statement continues. With this selection, the society aims to show “how crucial fungi are in the ecosystem and the fundamental importance of mycology, the study of fungi, for humanity.”
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This is the Mushroom of the Year 2026
In 2026, the jury selected the Lion’s Mane as the Mushroom of the Year. It is also known by names such as Yamabushitake, Pom-Pom blanc, or Monkey Head Mushroom. Lion’s Mane primarily occurs in deciduous forests with high humidity. “It grows as a wood-decaying white rot fungus on fresh deadwood, mostly on beech or oak. Although it is a popular edible mushroom, wild populations should be preserved for conservation reasons,” writes the DGfM in a press release. It is increasingly gaining recognition as a cultivated and edible mushroom.
How to Recognize a Lion’s Mane
The fruiting body of the mushroom is white to yellowish, robust, and knobby. Sometimes it is also laterally stemmed, writes the DGfM. “They reach a diameter of 10 to 30 cm. On the underside, there are 2 to 5 cm long, hanging spines that form the fruiting layer of the basidiomycetes.” The Mushroom of the Year 2026 belongs to the suborder of Russulales. The spore powder is white.
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Where to find the Mushroom of the Year 2026
In Germany, the Lion’s Mane preferably grows in “natural, deadwood-rich mixed deciduous forests of the North-East German Plain,” explains the DGfM. Findings in the south and in the northern limestone Alps are rare.
How the Gourmet Mushroom Grows in Your Own Garden
The Lion’s Mane is considered a gourmet mushroom and a highly endangered species for a reason. It is not easy to cultivate it yourself, explains Gerhard Schuster from the DGfM. However, he adds, “It is indeed possible to grow the Lion’s Mane yourself. Suitable cultivation kits are available on the market,” the mushroom expert explains upon myHOMEBOOK’s inquiry. The mushroom is said to have a pleasantly fruity-mild taste and a texture reminiscent of chicken meat.