Michael Davis
Identifying mushrooms can be challenging, and caution is advised, as consuming unidentified mushrooms can lead to severe health issues, including potential fatality. The best approach is to join a local mycology association to gain hands-on experience with experts. Online resources can also provide guidance on identifying mushrooms through pictures and examples, focusing on characteristics like cap and stem features, gills or pores, and spore colour. However, it is generally recommended to leave wild mushroom identification to professional mycologists.
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Colour and physical characteristics
The Kuehneromyces genus, for example, often has brown or tan colours and convex to bell-shaped caps. The Stropharia genus is known for its colourful, sticky caps, and gills that darken as the mushroom matures. Mushrooms in the Tapinella genus have reddish-brown to dark brown velvety caps, while those in the Melanoleuca genus have white, beige, or brown smooth caps that are often flat with a central umbo.
Some mushrooms, like the Old Man of the Woods, have unique characteristics that make them stand out. Magic mushrooms, for instance, typically have white stems and brown caps, with dark purple spores. They can be identified by their golden brown caps, like Psilocybe cubensis, or wavy caps, like Psilocybe semilanceata, also known as "Liberty Caps".
It is also important to examine the underside of the cap, as this can provide valuable information about the mushroom's group. If the underside has gills, narrow strips arranged radially around the stem, it belongs to the gilled mushroom group, which includes russulas and amanitas. If there are small holes on the underside, it is a "pored mushroom". A soft mushroom with a detachable pore layer is a bolete, while a hard, woody specimen without a stem is a polypore. If the underside is full of spines, it is a hedgehog mushroom.
Additionally, the colour of the spores can be a distinguishing feature. A spore print can be made by placing a mature mushroom cap-down on glass or plastic and leaving it overnight. The spore print can then be examined to determine the colour. Microscopes can be used to further analyse the spores, checking their size, shape, and colour.
While colour and physical characteristics are essential, it is crucial to consider other factors as well, such as texture, size, location, substrate, and the season in which the mushroom appears. Mushroom identification requires careful observation and patience, and it is always important to prioritise accuracy and safety.
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Spore print
It is important to note that a mushroom cannot be identified from its spore print alone. Other characteristics, such as the appearance of the cap and stem, the presence of a ring or partial veil, and the habitat of the mushroom, must also be considered.
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Habitat
When identifying mushrooms, it is important to remember that there is a lot more to it than just colour and size. Mushroom identification takes practice and can be dangerous if done incorrectly. Many mushrooms are poisonous, and some can be lethally toxic. If you are inexperienced, it is best to search for mushrooms alongside an experienced and trusted mycologist.
Mushrooms can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and disturbed areas. They can be found growing on decaying wood, leaf litter, or in soil. Some mushrooms, like the oyster mushroom, grow on wood or debris, while others, like the jack-o'-lantern mushroom, can be found in urban settings in large clusters at the base of trees, on stumps, or on buried wood.
Chanterelles, for example, tend to grow in small clusters among hardwoods, conifers, shrubs, and bushes, usually several feet away from the base of trees. They can also be found in the leaf litter of mountainous forests and among grasses and mosses.
Morels, on the other hand, thrive in moist areas and can be found in almost every state in the US, except Florida and Arizona, which are too hot and arid. They grow on specific types of trees, including ash, tulip, oak, hickory, sycamore, cottonwood, maple, beech, conifers, and apples.
Mushrooms in the Amanita genus, such as the destroying angel, can be found in or near woodlands, shrubs, and trees in suburban lawns or meadows. They form relationships with the roots of certain trees.
Cup fungi are characterized by their cup-shaped fruiting bodies and are commonly found growing on decaying wood, leaf litter, or in soil. They belong to the Ascomycota phylum and are known for their diverse colours and habitats.
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Size
Mushrooms come in a variety of sizes, from tiny to enormous. Some mushrooms, such as those in the Psathyrella group, are small to medium-sized, with thin caps and slender stems. Others, like the Melanoleuca genus, are medium to large-sized, with smooth caps that are often flat and fibrous stems. Still, others, like the Lycoperdon, Calvatia, and Bovista genuses (puffballs), can range in size from a few centimetres to over a metre in diameter.
The size of the cap and stem is particularly important in identifying a mushroom. For example, the Hypholoma genus typically has small to medium-aged agaric bodies with reddish-brown caps and curved stems. In contrast, the Kuehneromyces genus has small to medium-sized fruiting bodies with convex to bell-shaped caps and central stems. The size and shape of the cap can also provide clues about the mushroom's identity. For instance, the Xerocomellus (or Xerocomus) chrysenteron has a cap with thin fissures and a lighter colour than other similar mushrooms.
In addition to the physical dimensions of the mushroom, the size of the spores is also a critical factor in identification. Spores are very small, measured in microns (25,000 to an inch), and can be viewed under a microscope to check their size, shape, and colour. To make a spore print, place the mushroom cap downwards on a piece of glass or plexiglass, cover it, and leave it overnight. The spore print can then be checked against light or dark paper to see the spore colour.
While size is an important factor in mushroom identification, it is essential to consider other characteristics as well, such as colour, shape, texture, location, season, and the presence of pores, gills, or teeth. Additionally, the odour of the fungus and its reaction to bruising or chemical tests can also provide valuable clues about its identity.
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Consulting experts
While it can be fun to identify mushrooms, it is a complex task that requires a lot of knowledge. There are many factors to consider, and misidentifying a mushroom can have serious consequences, including death. It is difficult to identify mushrooms from just a picture and a brief description, so consulting experts is a good idea.
One of the most important features used to identify mushrooms is the spores. Some fungi have distinct spore colours, which can be seen by making a spore print. To make a spore print, choose a mature mushroom and place the cap downwards on a piece of glass. Cover it with a cup to prevent air currents from distributing the spores and leave it overnight. The spore print can then be checked against light or dark paper. However, spores are very small and are best viewed under a microscope to check their size, shape, and colour.
If you are interested in learning how to identify mushrooms correctly, consider joining a local mycology association to gain hands-on experience with experts. Additionally, there are several websites with colour photos of fungi that can aid in identification, such as Mushroom Expert and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Fungi website. Keep in mind that these websites should not be used to identify mushrooms for consumption.
It is also worth noting that there are many different types of mycotoxins present in mushrooms, and the North American Mycological Association website provides detailed descriptions of mushroom poisoning syndromes and their symptoms. For those interested in the medicinal properties of mushrooms, Paul Stamets, an American mycologist and entrepreneur, is an excellent resource. He has authored several books on the topic, including "Fantastic Fungi: How Mushrooms Can Heal, Shift Consciousness & Save the Planet" and "Psilocybin Mushrooms in Their Natural Habitats: A Guide to the History, Identification, and Use of Psychoactive Fungi."
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Frequently asked questions
Identifying mushrooms can be tricky, and it's best to leave it to the experts. However, you can look out for certain characteristics such as the size, colour, and shape of the cap and stem; whether the underside of the cap has pores, gills, or teeth; the colour of the mushroom and its flesh; and whether the flesh changes colour when bruised.
The best way to learn how to identify mushrooms is to join a local mycology association and get hands-on experience with experts.
There are no shortcuts to telling if a mushroom is edible or poisonous. However, a quick way to identify a mushroom is to use an app such as iNaturalist, which is good at narrowing things down to genus or family.
Edible mushrooms typically have brown or tan gills, while mushrooms with white gills are often deadly. Edible mushrooms usually do not have scales on the cap or a ring around the stem.
Choose a mature mushroom and place the cap downwards on a piece of glass. Cover it with a cup placed upside down to prevent air currents from distributing the spores. Leave it overnight, and the next day, check the spore print against light or dark paper to see the spore colour.
