Emily Johnson
The UK is home to a vast array of mushrooms, with around 15,000 species of wild mushrooms or fungi. They can be found in a range of habitats, from woods and riverbanks to fields and gardens, but they tend to thrive in woodlands and grasslands. With such a diverse selection, it's no surprise that some are edible, while others are poisonous. Foraging for mushrooms can be a fun and rewarding activity, but it's crucial to accurately identify mushrooms before consuming them, as consuming poisonous varieties can be dangerous or even fatal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of wild fungi species | 15,000 |
| Habitats | Woodlands, riverbanks, meadows, fields, grassland, gardens |
| Common types | Meadow waxcap, saffron milkcap, charcoal burner, shaggy parasol, fairy ring fungus, jelly ear fungus, chanterelle, hedgehog mushroom, shaggy inkcap, oyster mushroom |
| Edibility | Some are edible, some are poisonous |
| Identification | Use a field guide or mushroom book |
| Foraging advice | Only pick if you are certain of its identity, cook before eating, leave plenty for wildlife, avoid rare or protected fungi |
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What You'll Learn
Where to find mushrooms in the UK
The UK is home to a phenomenal 15,000 species of fungi and wild mushrooms. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, fields, grasslands, and even your own garden. Here are some tips on where to find mushrooms in the UK:
Woodlands and Fields
Mushrooms often grow in damp, dark, and woody areas, such as woodlands and fields. Look for them under decaying sticks and branches buried in leaf litter or moss. Some species, like the hen of the woods mushroom, can be found at the base of oak trees or stumps. Others, like the wood blewit, can be found in deciduous woodlands and heathlands, often growing in clusters.
Grasslands
Grasslands, such as Burfa Bog near Presteigne, Powys, are also home to many species of fungi, including the colourful waxcap fungi that adorn the grass each autumn. Keep your eyes peeled for fairy rings, which are caused by the Marasmius oreades fungus growing in lawns without causing damage.
Gardens
Fungi can also be found in your own garden, especially if you encourage their growth by leaving logs and branches to rot. Common types of fungi found in gardens include the jelly ear fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae), which grows on dead wood, and the fairy ring fungus. However, be cautious, as some fungi, like the honey fungus, can be detrimental to your garden plants.
Nature Reserves
Many nature reserves across the UK are dedicated to preserving biodiversity and offer protected areas where mushrooms can flourish. Check local nature reserves for opportunities to forage responsibly, always obtaining permission and following regulations and guidelines.
Remember, never eat any mushrooms you find unless you are 100% certain they are edible. It is best to cook wild mushrooms before consuming them, as only a few are safe to eat raw.
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How to identify mushrooms
There are roughly 15,000 types of wild fungi in the UK. While most people have been warned against touching mushrooms as children, all mushrooms in the UK are safe to touch—it is only when you eat a poisonous mushroom that its toxins can affect you. So, when trying to identify mushrooms, it is important to remember not to eat them unless you are 100% sure they are edible.
Mushrooms are diverse in colour, shape, form, and smell. They can be found in gardens, among leaf litter and grass, and in woodlands. Some common types of fungi include fairy ring fungus, which grows in lawns; jelly ear fungus, which grows on dead wood; and honey fungus, which can kill plants, shrubs, and trees.
When identifying mushrooms, it is important to pay attention to their physical characteristics, such as their cap, stem, ring, and gills. For example, one type of mushroom has a cap that is 4-10cm across, convex, and domed, with a short and white stem, a thin ring, and pink gills that turn chocolate brown to deep black. Another type has a cap that is 8-15cm across, globular, and broad-domed, with a white to greyish-brown cap, a white and bulbous stem, and a broad ring.
In addition to physical characteristics, the location of the mushroom can also be a helpful identification tool. For instance, the common inkcap mushroom can be found on mossy or peaty ground in heaths and woodlands, especially on sandy soil, while the collared earthstar is found among leaf litter in deciduous woods with beech and chalky soils in the south. It is also important to note that some mushrooms, like the common inkcap, are more likely to appear after rain.
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Types of mushrooms
There are roughly 15,000 types of wild fungi in the UK, and they vary widely in size and form. Some are edible, while others are poisonous or even fatal. It is important to never eat a mushroom that you cannot confidently identify.
Field Mushrooms
Field mushrooms (Agaricus campestris) are found in fields, usually after a rainy, warm summer. They have a round cap that expands to 10cm in diameter, starting as white and then becoming cream/brown. The gills are dark brown, and the stem is thick and short, no more than 8cm tall.
Button, Chestnut and Portobello Mushrooms
These mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) are found in manure heaps, roadsides, and garden waste from late spring to autumn. They have a white, closed cap when very young (button mushroom). As they mature, the flesh becomes darker and the cap opens slightly (chestnut mushroom). When fully mature, the cap opens further and the mushroom becomes much larger (portobello mushroom).
Honey Fungus
Honey fungus (Armillaria mellea) grows on stumps and at the base of trees such as beech, willow, poplar, and mulberry from mid-summer to late autumn. The cap is round and flattens out with age, measuring 3-20cm in diameter. The stem is tall and thin and can reach 20cm in height, starting as white and becoming yellow. Honey fungus should not be eaten raw.
Orange Birch Bolete
The orange birch bolete (Leccinum versipelle/Boletus versipellus) is found from early summer to the end of autumn, typically near birch and oak trees. Its cap is deep orange and can reach 30cm in diameter, while its stem is off-white and covered in black or brown scales, growing up to 25cm tall.
Chanterelle Mushrooms
Chanterelle mushrooms are found in coniferous and deciduous woods and are edible. They have a brilliant yellow colour and their gills run partway down their thick stems. False chanterelles are a common, orange-yellow variety that grows in small groups.
Other Types
Other types of mushrooms found in the UK include the common inkcap, fly agaric, collared earthstar, scarlet elf cups, stinkhorn, fairy ring fungus, jelly ear fungus, wood blewit mushrooms, larch bolete mushrooms, and magpie fungus.
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Edible vs poisonous mushrooms
There are roughly 15,000 types of wild fungi in the UK. While many mushrooms are healthy and delicious, with only 1-2% of mushrooms containing poisonous toxins, it is important to be cautious as they can grow just about anywhere, including your garden lawn.
Some rules for picking safe mushrooms are fanciful or even dangerous. For example, it is not true that 'it's okay if you can peel the cap' or that 'mushrooms growing on wood are safe'. The safest thing to do is just look at them.
There are some good rules for avoiding poisonous mushrooms, especially if you are a novice:
- Avoid mushrooms with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, and a bulbous or sack-like base called a volva. You may be missing out on some good edible fungi, but this means you will be avoiding the deadly members of the Amanita family.
- Avoid mushrooms with red on the cap or stem.
- Avoid any small mushrooms with a stem and gills, growing off wood, that look like funeral bells and sulphur tufts.
- Avoid any Bolete mushrooms with red on them, including the cap, stem or pores. Also, if the flesh of a Bolete immediately or rapidly stains blue when cut in half, treat it as poisonous.
- Stay away from any fungi that 'lactate' from the gills, i.e. exude a milky substance, unless you know your Milkcaps or can eat hot chillies raw. Most Milkcaps are toxic.
- Death Cap: This is the world's most toxic mushroom and is responsible for most fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide. It has a domed cap that can grow to a diameter of 12cm and changes colour from white or yellow to brown or pale green as it ages. It is often confused with the common field mushroom.
- Destroying Angel: This is a rare, deadly poisonous mushroom with a pure white appearance. It grows on the ground in broadleaved and mixed woodland, especially birch woodland.
- Deadly Webcap: This is a rare, fatal, poisonous mushroom that is responsible for several deaths in Europe. It is often mistaken for a chanterelle or magic mushroom.
- Angel's Wings: This is quite poisonous and was once considered edible. There have been several cases of fatal poisoning in Japan. It is most commonly found in Scotland and Cumbria.
- Fool's Funnel: This often grows in fairy rings, making it easily confused with edible species such as the St. Georges mushroom and Fairy Ring Champignons. It contains muscarine, a potent toxin, and ingestion can lead to muscarine poisoning, with symptoms including excessive salivation, sweating, and tearing.
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The benefits of mushrooms
The British Isles are home to approximately 15,000 species of fungi, including wild mushrooms, which can be found in a variety of habitats, most commonly in woodlands, fields, and grasslands. Spending a few hours foraging for mushrooms can be enjoyable, but it is important to only pick and consume mushrooms that have been correctly identified as edible.
Mushrooms are not only versatile in cooking but also pack a nutritional punch. They are low in calories, fat, and sodium, and are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fibre. This makes them an excellent substitute for red meat, helping to reduce cholesterol and maintain a healthy heart.
Mushrooms are a source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage. They also contain polysaccharides, their most abundant carbohydrate, which stimulates the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut and colon.
Vitamin D, found in mushrooms exposed to UV light or sunlight, helps with cell growth, boosts immune function, and reduces inflammation. Vitamin B6 helps the body form red blood cells, proteins, and DNA.
Studies have shown that eating 1 to 2 cups of mushrooms each week may reduce the risk of cancer by up to 45%. Additionally, eating more than 2 cups of mushrooms a week has been linked to a 50% lower risk of developing MCI, with potential benefits for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Mushrooms are also a good source of potassium, which is known for reducing the negative impact of sodium on the body and lessening tension in blood vessels, thereby helping to lower blood pressure.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are roughly 15,000 types of wild mushrooms or fungi in the UK. They are found in a range of habitats but most often in woodlands, fields, and grasslands.
Mushrooms can be found in a variety of places in the UK, including woods, riverbanks, and meadows, and even your own garden. Keep your eyes on the ground and look for leaf litter and grass where fungi can pop up in a host of shapes and colours.
Some common types of mushrooms found in the UK include meadow waxcaps, saffron milk caps, fairy ring fungus, jelly ear fungus, chanterelles, hedgehog mushrooms, shaggy ink caps, and oyster mushrooms.
No, not all mushrooms in the UK are safe to eat. It is important to properly identify a mushroom before consuming it as some can be poisonous or even deadly. It is recommended to only eat a wild mushroom if you are 100% sure of its identity and to cook them before eating as only a few are safe to consume raw.
