Mushrooms can be used to create color dyes via color-extraction with a solvent (often ammonia) as well as particulation of raw material.[1] The shingled hedgehog mushroom and related species contain blue-green pigments, which are used for dyeing wool in Norway.[2] The fruiting body of Hydnellum peckii can be used to produce a beige color when no mordant is used, and shades of blue or green depending on the mordant added.[3] Phaeolus schweinitzii produces green, yellow, gold, or brown colors, depending on the material dyed and the mordant used.[4]
| Mushroom | Color catalyst | Color created |
|---|---|---|
| ammonia | dull yellow | |
| ammonia | rust | |
| salt water | yellowish green | |
| salt water | yellowish green | |
| ammonia | variable | |
| ammonia | variable | |
| iron pot/ammonia | greyish-green | |
| ammonia | reddish-yellow | |
| iron pot/ammonia | greyish-green | |
| ammonia | cinnamon pink to red | |
| ammonia copper pot/ammonia iron pot/ammonia salt water | orange deep green rust red yellow (fluorescent under UV) | |
| ammonia | light yellow | |
| ammonia | orange | |
| ammonia | dark red | |
| ammonia | rust | |
| ammonia | green | |
| Jumbo gym[5] | pH 4 | butter yellow |
| Western red dyer | pH 7 to pH 7 | red, orange, pink, purple |
| Western jack o'lantern | purple or green | |
| Dyer's puffball | brown to orange | |