Emma Wilson
Mushrooms are a fun and delicious addition to any meal, but it is important to know how to distinguish between the edible and poisonous varieties. Many mushrooms look similar, and some poisonous varieties have no distinguishable features from their edible counterparts. There are some rules of thumb to follow, such as avoiding mushrooms with white gills, a ring on the stem, or bulbous bases. However, the best way to identify mushrooms is to learn about their diagnostic features, such as the size, colour, and shape of the cap and stem, the presence of gills or pores, and the colour of the spores. Joining a local mycology association is a great way to learn about the different types of mushrooms and how to identify them safely.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Size | Mushrooms come in various sizes, from small to large |
| Colour | Golden yellow, grey, black, tan, brown, white, red, yellow, orange-yellow |
| Shape | Vase-shaped cap, funnel-shaped cap, convex cap, bulbous stem, fibrous stem, smooth stem |
| Features on the underside of the cap | Pores, gills, false gills, teeth |
| Veil | May or may not be present |
| Flesh colour | May change colour when bruised |
| Flesh texture | Tough |
| Spores | Coloured, very small (measured in microns) |
| Habitat | Trees, woody debris, logs, forest floor, moss |
| Growth pattern | May grow in clusters or not |
| Smell | Some mushrooms have a distinctive odour |
| Chemical reaction | Some mushrooms produce a colour change when exposed to specific chemicals |
| Taste | Slightly fruity/flowery |
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What You'll Learn
Cap and stem colour, size and shape
The cap and stem of a mushroom are important features to examine when identifying different species. The cap, also known as the pileus, is the rounded, umbrella-shaped structure on top of the mushroom that holds the gills or pores. The gills are the thin, ribbed structures that radiate out from the stem and contain the spores of the mushroom. The stem, or stipe, is the long, cylindrical stalk that supports the cap and the spores it contains.
Caps come in different shapes, sizes, colours, and textures. They can be bell-shaped, conical, convex, cylindrical, flat, depressed, or funnel-shaped. Some common shapes include the familiar spherical shape, like an umbrella, and the conical shape, retained by some species throughout their lives. Flat caps indicate a mature mushroom, as many species' caps flatten with age. Round caps are typically found in puffballs and other non-gilled mushrooms. Caps can also feature specific characteristics like a central bump, known as an umbo, or a central umbilicate dimple. The edge of a cap may be tucked under or inrolled, scalloped, or decorated with hairs, veil fragments, or spoke-like ridal lines, known as striations. Caps can be smooth or covered with scales or teeth. The colour of the cap is also important for identification. For example, the caps of Cortinarius mushrooms can range from brown and red to purple and yellow, while Agrocybe mushrooms have caps that range from yellow-brown to tan.
Stems also vary in length and thickness, and colour. They can be smooth, hairy, spotted, scurfy, sticky, dry, or slimy. They can also be hollow, solid, or stuffed. Some mushrooms have a veil that covers the gills when the mushroom is young, or a partial veil that leaves a ring-like structure on the stem as the cap expands. This ring is called an annulus and is formed when the partial veil breaks away from the cap. Other types of mushrooms have a universal veil that encapsulates the entire mushroom during early development. Mushrooms with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, and a bulbous or sacky base are often signs of the deadly Amanita species.
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Underside of the cap: pores, gills or teeth
Mushrooms have mastered the art of spore dispersal, with gills, pores, and teeth being some of the most common spore-producing surfaces. The underside of the mushroom cap can have gills, pores, ridges, or a spongy surface.
Gills
Mushroom gills are thin, papery structures that hang vertically under the cap, like the pages of a book. They produce spores, which are then scattered by wind currents. The gills can be crowded, widely spaced, forked or have short gills unconnected to longer gills. They can also vary in the way they are attached to the stalk, with various terms to describe gill structure. The spacing between the gills can also be used to identify mushrooms, with categories such as "crowded", "close", "subclose", and "distant".
Pores
Mushroom pores are small holes on the underside of the cap. Boletes and polypores are two common types of mushrooms known to have pores. Pore diameter, shape, and size are species-specific and can be used to identify mushrooms.
Teeth
Toothed mushrooms are less common, but they are characterized by tooth-like structures on the undersides of their caps, which are the spore-producing surfaces. Examples include the hedgehog mushroom, coral tooth mushrooms, and lion's mane mushrooms. For tooth fungi, the length and diameter of the teeth may be important identification factors.
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Presence of a veil
The presence of a veil is a crucial factor in identifying mushrooms. A veil is a thin, delicate membrane that serves as a protective cloak during a mushroom's development. It guards the gills or pores of the mushroom as it matures, ensuring the successful production of spores. This temporary structure is known as the "velum" and is considered a symbol of growth and transformation in the mushroom's life cycle.
Not all mushrooms have veils, but for those that do, the remnants of these veils can be invaluable for identification. The veil can leave behind structures such as the annulus and the volva, which are often distinctive features used to determine a mushroom's species. For example, the presence of a prominent volva is a defining trait of the Amanita genus, which includes some of the world's most poisonous mushrooms. Therefore, recognizing veil structures can be crucial for differentiating between edible and toxic mushrooms.
The veil can take various forms, such as a universal veil that covers the entire mushroom or a partial veil that only covers the cap. Some mushrooms may have multiple veils or layers. By the time a mushroom is discovered, the veil might have already broken or vanished. However, it can still leave behind identifiable traces, such as patches on the top of the cap or a ring on the stem. These remnants can be crucial in determining the species of the mushroom.
The consistency of the veil can also vary, affecting the type of fragments it leaves behind. A universal veil can be crumbly, slimy, or thick and hard, resulting in powdery remnants, slimy layers, or large chunks on the cap, respectively. The volva, or cup-like structure at the base of the stem, is a classic indicator of a universal veil, but it may also manifest as strangulated zones on the stem if the stem pulls the volva apart during growth.
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Odour
One example of a mushroom with a distinctive odour is the Chantarelle (Cantharellus cibarius). Fresh Chanterelles have a distinct apricot scent, which would be unmistakable even to a blindfolded collector. Another mushroom with a notable odour is Cortinarius violaceus, which has a cedar wood scent. Its close relative, C. hyrcinicus, shares this scent.
Some mushrooms have less pleasant odours. For example, the crushed caps of Gymnopus perforans, a species commonly found on needle beds of spruce and fir, have a strong and unpleasant odour of rotting cabbage. Other species of Gymnopus have more pleasant odours, ranging from sweet to garlic or onion.
The mushroom Hydnellum suaveolens, a member of the tooth fungi family, has an odour that has been described variously as anise, peppermint, or bath soap. This mushroom's scent is so strong that a group of mycologists was able to detect it from a distance of nearly 100 meters and follow it to the source.
The odour of some mushrooms can be more challenging to describe. For example, the Tricholoma dulciolens has a unique odour that is quite strong and memorable. To some, it may smell like Russian olive flowers, while others may detect different notes.
In addition to the overall odour of a mushroom, it is worth noting that different parts of the mushroom may have distinct scents. Scandinavian mycologists, for instance, comment on odours from the base of the stipe, the flesh, the gills, and the pile of fruiting bodies. For example, the mushroom Pholiota squarrosoides has a scent reminiscent of coffee and chocolate when growing in large clusters, but this odour is not present in the cut flesh. Similarly, some species of Cortinarius and Hebeloma mushrooms have a honey-like odour at the base of the stipe that is not detectable in other parts of the mushroom.
It is important to be cautious when identifying mushrooms based on odour alone, as some mushrooms may give off an ammonia odour due to colonisation by ammonia-producing bacteria such as Escherichia Coli. Therefore, it is essential to consider multiple characteristics, such as the colour of the spore print, in addition to odour when identifying mushrooms.
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Spores
Spore colour, size, and shape are important features used to identify mushrooms. Spores are very small, measured in microns, and are usually examined under a microscope. They can range in colour from white, buff, pink, tan, chocolate brown, rusty brown to black. Some fungi have distinctly coloured spores, which can be seen by making a spore print.
A spore print is the powdery deposit obtained by allowing spores of a fungal fruit body to fall onto a surface underneath. It is an important diagnostic character in most handbooks for identifying mushrooms. It shows the colour of the mushroom spores if viewed en masse. A spore print is made by placing the spore-producing surface flat on a sheet of dark and white paper or on a sheet of clear, stiff plastic, which facilitates moving the spore print to a darker or lighter surface for improved contrast. The mushroom is left for several hours, often overnight, in this manner. Some guides advise using a moisture-resistant enclosure, like a glass or jar, to contain the mushroom during printing.
Historically, the classification of many families of fungi was based on spore colour. For example, the Tricholomataceae is a large family of fungi that have white spores as a common factor. Similarly, mushrooms in the Agarics group have white spore prints, while those in the Tapinella genus have reddish-brown to dark brown velvety caps.
In the field, spore print colour can sometimes be quickly determined by examining the top of stipes for spore "dust" on the nearby forest floor. However, collecting and examining a spore print is not always successful. Some mushrooms are too young or too old to produce spores. Mushrooms collected at high elevations will typically not produce a spore print at lower elevations.
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Frequently asked questions
Distinguishing mushrooms is a complex process that requires expertise. It is best to consult a mycologist or a local mycological group for accurate identification. However, some key features used to identify mushrooms include the size, colour, and shape of the cap and stem; the presence of gills, pores, or teeth under the cap; the colour and characteristics of spores; and the odour.
While it is crucial to exercise caution and properly identify any mushroom before consumption, some UK mushrooms that are considered relatively safe and easy to identify include the Giant Puffball, Beefsteak Fungus, Porcelain Fungus, Cauliflower Fungus, and Dryad's Saddle.
Edible mushrooms typically have brown or tan gills, while mushrooms with white gills are often deadly. Avoid mushrooms with scales on the cap or a ring around the stem. Porcini mushrooms, for example, typically have a medium-sized tan or brown cap and thick bulbous stems. Chanterelles have a small cap with a concave centre and are yellow to golden-yellow in colour.
It is crucial to be cautious as many poisonous and non-poisonous mushrooms resemble each other. Some toxic mushrooms may have similar characteristics to edible ones, such as the Funeral Bell, which grows on wood, and the Death Cap, which can be easily peeled. Always consult an expert or a mycological association for accurate identification.
