Mushroom Identification: A Beginner's Guide To Foraging Safely

Mushrooms are fungi with a stem and a cap, but not all fungi are mushrooms. Fungi are neither plants nor animals, but they are more closely related to animals. They are incredibly diverse, and different species can look very similar, so mindfulness and attention to detail are important when identifying mushrooms. While colour and size are important factors, there are many other characteristics to observe. These include the substrate, or the material the fungus is growing from, the shape of the cap, the presence of gills or teeth, and the characteristics of the stem. Some mushrooms display a chemical reaction when exposed to certain substances, while others are distinguished by microscopic characteristics.

Observe the stipe (stem) for clues, such as an annulus (skirt of tissue) or volva (sack of tissue)

Mushrooms are a type of fungi that have a stem (called a stipe) and a cap. The stipe can provide many clues to help identify a mushroom. One of the most important clues is whether the stipe has an annulus, which is a skirt of tissue around the circumference of the stipe, and whether the base of the stipe has a volva, which is a sack of tissue. Some mushrooms have an annulus, some have a volva, and some have neither. However, the Amanita genus often has both, which are remnants of the Amanita "egg". It is important to note that this genus is common and attractive but includes many poisonous species.

The universal veil is a thin, membranous tissue that encloses the entire mushroom when it is immature. As the mushroom grows and the cap expands, remnants of this veil can remain, forming the volva or bulb at the base of the stem, as well as warts or patches on the cap. Observing these remnants is crucial for identification, as they can help differentiate edible mushrooms from deadly look-alikes.

The partial veil is another important structure that shields the developing gills or pores of young mushrooms. As the cap expands, this veil breaks, often leaving an annulus or ring around the stipe. The position of the annulus on the stipe can aid in mushroom identification, as can the presence of any hanging fragments left on the cap margin after the partial veil tears away.

While identifying mushrooms, it is important to be detail-oriented. Fungi are incredibly diverse, and different species can look very similar. Therefore, paying attention to small details like the shape of the gills and the presence of bruising can be key to accurate identification. It is also helpful to note the habitat where the mushroom was found, as this can provide additional clues about its identity.

Examine the underside of the cap, where spores are often formed

When identifying mushrooms, it is important to examine the underside of the cap, as this is often where spores are formed. This fertile surface is called the hymenial layer.

The underside of the cap may have gills, pores, ridges, or a spongy surface. Some mushrooms have gills that run down the stem (decurrent), while others have gill-like wrinkles. The gills may also fork into a Y-shape or alternate between full-length and partial gills. These details are important for identification, so be sure to note them carefully.

To determine spore colour, you can create a spore print by placing the cap of a fresh mushroom on a sheet of paper and waiting a few hours. Spore prints can be used to identify mushrooms, as many field guides are organised by spore colour. Mycologists use spore size, shape, and colour to help identify unknown species.

Some mushrooms, such as boletes, have a porous or spongy underside instead of gills, while tooth fungi have tooth-like projections on the underside of their caps. The underside of the cap can also provide clues about the mushroom's maturity, as some gills turn dark as the mushroom matures due to spore production.

Note the gill shape and structure, some fork into a Y-shape or run down the stem

When identifying a mushroom, it is important to note the shape and structure of its gills. The gills are the fertile surface where spores are formed, and they can vary in the way they are attached to the stem. Some gills are free and thus completely detached from the stem, while others are adnate, broadly attached to the stem. Decurrent gills extend down the stem, and adnexed gills are attached narrowly at an angle.

Additionally, some gills fork into a Y-shape, while others alternate between a full-length gill and a short, partial gill. These small details can be crucial for accurate mushroom identification. The width, thickness, density, and colour of the gills are also important characteristics to consider.

To safely examine mushroom gills, you can purchase portobello mushrooms from a grocery store and inspect their underside. You may also create a spore print by placing the cap of a fresh mushroom on a sheet of paper and waiting a few hours. Spore prints can help determine spore colour, which is an important trait for identification.

Identify the mushroom's habitat, some grow in grasslands, others on trees or woody debris

Mushrooms are found in a wide variety of habitats, including grasslands, forests and woodlands, sandy soils, high-altitude regions, acidic wetlands, and even urban areas. They can also be found growing on decaying logs, stumps, and leaf litter. Some mushrooms are specific about their food source and will only be found under or near certain types of trees, such as pines or oaks.

When identifying a mushroom, it is important to look at the surrounding habitat, as different species prefer different conditions. For example, some mushrooms are saprotrophic, feeding on dead trees, while others are parasitic, slowly damaging living trees. Still, others may have a mutualistic relationship with trees, such as mycorrhizal fungi, which form associations with the roots of living trees.

Mushrooms that grow on trees or woody debris often appear in clusters around the base and have gill-like wrinkles or folds instead of gills on the underside of the cap. These include the polypores, also known as bracket fungi, which have a distinct fruiting body with pores on their undersurface. Other mushrooms that grow on trees include the cup fungi, which are characterized by their cup-shaped fruiting bodies, and the agarics, which have white gills and a sac-like structure or a bulb at the base of the stem.

Some common mushrooms that grow on trees include all species of truffles, black trumpets, chanterelles, boletes, and the hedgehog mushroom. It is important to note that not all mushrooms that grow on trees are edible, and even edible mushrooms can cause illness in some individuals. Therefore, it is crucial to properly identify mushrooms before consuming them and to follow guidelines for safe mushroom foraging.

Assess the colour, texture, and shape of the cap, some are flat, others convex or funnel-shaped

Mushrooms are fungi with a stem (called a stipe) and a cap. The cap shape is one of the most noticeable features that can help with identification. The cap not only protects the delicate gills, pores, and spore-producing structures beneath it, but it also plays a crucial role in attracting spore dispersal agents.

Caps come in a variety of shapes, including convex, cushion-shaped, egg-shaped, hemispherical, half-egg-shaped, bullet-shaped, cone-shaped, cuspidate (witch-hat-shaped), bell-shaped, saucer-shaped, and funnel-shaped. For example, mushrooms in the Kuehneromyces genus typically have convex to bell-shaped caps, while those in the Lycoperdon, Calvatia, and Bovista genuses are characterised by their round, ball-shaped fruiting bodies.

The colour and texture of the cap are also important factors in mushroom identification. For instance, the caps of mushrooms in the Kuehneromyces genus are often brown or tan, while those in the Pholiota genus are often dry and covered in scales or fibres, and some species have sticky caps. Mushrooms in the Morchella genus, or morels, have caps that are a distinctive honeycomb shape and range in colour from tan to reddish-brown. Mushrooms in the Gyromitra genus, or false morels, have irregularly shaped, brain-like caps that can be reddish-brown or tan. Tooth fungi have fleshy, funnel-shaped caps and can be brown, orange, or yellow, while cup fungi are cup-shaped and come in a variety of colours.

It's important to be detail-oriented when identifying mushrooms, as different species can look very similar. In addition to cap characteristics, other features such as gills, spores, bruising, habitat, smell, and taste can also be important for identification.

Frequently asked questions