John Miller
Dried mushrooms are a great way to preserve the funghi and ensure they can be enjoyed year-round. However, when it comes to identifying dried mushrooms, it can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to psilocybin or 'magic' mushrooms. These mushrooms are known for their hallucinogenic effects and can be dangerous if misidentified or contaminated. While some sources suggest looking for characteristics like chestnut brown caps, white stems, and blue bruising, others advise against consuming any mushrooms without proper knowledge or medical supervision. It is important to be cautious and consult professionals to avoid any potential health and legal risks associated with misidentifying dried mushrooms.
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What You'll Learn
- Colour: Chestnut brown with white stems, and purplish-blue bruises
- Size: Small, around 3 inches tall
- Shape: Some have wavy caps, others straight
- Environment: Found in grazing pastures, estate parkland, hills and valleys
- Safety: Avoid if the source is unknown. Use test strips to detect dangerous substances
Colour: Chestnut brown with white stems, and purplish-blue bruises
When identifying mushrooms, it is important to consider their colour, bruising, and bleeding when they are cut or damaged. While no identification is guaranteed by observing these characteristics, it can be an important piece of information.
Some mushrooms will change colour when bruised or injured. For example, the Saffron milky cap bruises green when handled, while Bolete turns blue when sliced in half. Mycena haematopus bleeds purplish, while Lactarius chrysorrheus bleeds white latex that dries to a deeper yellow.
Psilocybe cyanescens, commonly known as the wavy cap or potent psilocybe, is a species of psychedelic mushroom with a hygrophanous pileus (cap) that is caramel to chestnut brown when moist, fading to pale buff or slightly yellowish when dried. The caps generally measure from 1.5–5 cm (1⁄2–2 in) across and are normally distinctly wavy in maturity. The colour of the pileus is rarely seen in mushrooms outside of the P. cyanescens species complex. Most parts of the mushroom, including the cap and gills underneath the cap, can stain blue when touched or disturbed, probably due to the oxidation of psilocin. The gills are light brown to dark purple-brown in maturity, with lighter gill edges. The stems are white when undisturbed.
Mushrooms in the Kuehneromyces genus are small to medium-sized and typically have convex to bell-shaped caps with a central stem. They are often brown or tan with gills beneath the cap. Mushrooms in the Melanoleuca genus are medium to large-sized and commonly found in grasslands, meadows, and wooded areas. They have white spore prints and smooth caps that are often flat with a central umbo, appearing in shades of white, beige, or brown, and fibrous stems.
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Size: Small, around 3 inches tall
When identifying dried mushrooms, it is important to exercise caution as ingesting the wrong variety can have adverse health consequences. While only 3% of mushrooms are poisonous, it is crucial to be able to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms.
Small dried mushrooms, around 3 inches tall, can be identified by their cap shape and size. The caps of small mushrooms can range from approximately 1 to 3 cm in diameter. The gills of these mushrooms are often thin and delicate, and the colour can vary from off-white to deep brown. The gills of the mushroom are located on the underside of the cap and point towards the stem, forming a radial pattern. The stems of small mushrooms are typically shorter, ranging from 4 to 8 cm in length.
One variety of small mushroom is the shiitake mushroom, which has been cultivated and preserved through drying for centuries. Shiitake mushrooms are known for their rich, savoury flavour and meaty texture. They can be identified by their firm flesh and robust appearance, even after the drying process.
Another variety of small mushroom is the porcini mushroom, which is prized for its deep and complex flavour. Porcini mushrooms are often foraged and are also referred to as king boletes.
When identifying dried mushrooms, it is also important to check for signs of spoilage, such as discoloration, a bad smell, or a slippery texture. Proper drying and storage techniques can help extend the shelf life of small mushrooms, ensuring they remain safe for consumption.
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Shape: Some have wavy caps, others straight
When it comes to identifying dried mushrooms, shape is an important characteristic to consider. The cap, in particular, can provide valuable clues about the type of mushroom you're dealing with. Some mushrooms have wavy caps, while others have straight caps.
Let's start with wavy caps. Psilocybe cyanescens, commonly known as "wavy caps," are usually found in North America, Western Europe, Central Europe, New Zealand, and parts of the Middle East. As the name suggests, these mushrooms are characterised by their large, wavy caps, which become more pronounced as the mushroom matures. When moist, they have a caramel or chestnut-brown colour, but as they dry out, they tend to fade to a paler shade.
Another variety with wavy caps is Psilocybe baeocystis, often called "bottle caps," "knobby tops," "blue bells," or "olive caps." These mushrooms are found in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. They feature medium-sized caps with a conical shape and distinct ripples caused by the gills underneath. The caps have a unique dark olive-brown colour, sometimes with steel blue tinges.
Now, let's discuss straight caps. Mushrooms with straight caps can vary in shape from convex to bell-shaped or nearly flat. For example, Agrocybe mushrooms, which are small to medium-sized, often have brown spore prints and dry caps. Their caps can be convex, bell-shaped, or nearly flat, and their colours can range from yellow-brown to tan. These mushrooms typically grow on grass, wood chips, dung, garden mulch, or in woods.
Additionally, some Chinese dried mushrooms, such as the Winter Mushroom, may have straight caps. These mushrooms are distinguished by their thick, meaty caps with rounded edges that curl inwards. The caps may also be modified with shallow incisions to create a flower-shaped appearance.
Identifying dried mushrooms based on cap shape alone can be challenging, as some varieties may have similar-looking caps. Therefore, it is essential to consider other characteristics such as colour, size, gills, and the presence of any unique markings or incisions.
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Environment: Found in grazing pastures, estate parkland, hills and valleys
Liberty caps, a type of psilocybin mushroom, can be found in grazing pastures, estate parkland, and hills and valleys in Wales. Psilocybin mushrooms are the most popular "magic mushrooms", meaning they have psychoactive properties. They are considered sacred medicine among indigenous tribes and have been used extensively in religious and spiritual ceremonies, especially in Central and South America.
When identifying mushrooms in grazing pastures, it is important to note that liberty caps are more commonly found in pastures that have never been cultivated. They tend to grow in pastures grazed by sheep. However, it is important to exercise caution when attempting to identify psilocybin mushrooms, as ingesting a wild mushroom without a mycologist's opinion could be deadly.
In estate parkland and hills and valleys, liberty caps are more likely to be found in areas with fewer pollutants in the surrounding environment. The best time to hunt for them is from September to December, after a rainy day followed by a few hours of warm sunshine. With the low afternoon sun at your back, the sunlight will illuminate the little caps, making them easier to spot.
In addition to liberty caps, there are other types of mushrooms that can be found in grazing pastures, estate parkland, and hills and valleys. For example, maitake mushrooms (also known as hen of the woods or sheep's head) grow at the base of hardwood trees like oaks. They have small, overlapping tongues or fan-shaped caps, a single white stem, and an underside that resembles the bottom of a cauliflower. Oyster mushrooms are another common variety found on trees, especially elm, box elder, aspen, oak, and beech. They have gills and white spore prints.
When foraging for mushrooms, it is important to be able to distinguish between edible and poisonous varieties. For example, chanterelles and jack-o'-lantern mushrooms look similar, but the latter is poisonous and can cause several days of digestive discomfort. Chanterelles have a gold-yellowish or brilliant orange colour, while jack-o'-lanterns are bright orange and shiny (east of the Rocky Mountains) or olive with orange (west of the Rockies). Chanterelles also have blunt, gill-like ridges on the cap to the stem, while jack-o'-lanterns have sharp, non-forking, deep-set gills that descend the stalk.
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Safety: Avoid if the source is unknown. Use test strips to detect dangerous substances
When it comes to dried mushrooms, it can be pretty challenging to identify them, even for skilled mycologists. Some sources suggest looking for blue bruising and dark gills, as these could be indicators of psychoactive species. However, it is important to remember that these characteristics may not always be present or visible, especially in dried mushrooms.
Safety First
If you come across dried mushrooms of unknown origin, it is best to avoid them altogether. The risk of consuming unknown mushrooms is simply not worth taking, as some mushrooms can be extremely poisonous and even deadly. Magic mushrooms, for example, can look deceptively similar to poisonous varieties, and it can be challenging to distinguish between the two without proper knowledge and experience.
To address this concern, researchers have developed test strips that can detect the presence of amatoxins, a dangerous toxin found in many species of deadly mushrooms. These test strips work similarly to pregnancy tests and offer a simple, portable solution to identify mushroom poison. By placing a rice-sized piece of the mushroom on the strip or using a saline solution, you can determine within minutes if the mushroom is safe or not.
While these test strips are a promising development, it is important to note that they are not a substitute for expert knowledge. Some mushroom experts caution against relying solely on the strips, emphasizing the importance of visual identification and a deeper understanding of fungi. Furthermore, it is essential to exercise caution during the early stages of their implementation, as they could potentially encourage careless foraging and lead to unintended consequences.
In conclusion, when encountering dried mushrooms of uncertain origin, the safest course of action is to refrain from consuming them. If you suspect poisoning from mushroom ingestion, seek immediate medical attention or contact poison control centers for guidance. With the ongoing advancements in mushroom identification, such as the introduction of test strips, it is crucial to stay informed about the latest safety measures to make informed decisions regarding mushroom consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
The biggest risk is the possibility of consuming poisonous mushrooms by mistake. Poisonous mushrooms can cause severe sickness and even death. Dried mushrooms also carry the risk of being contaminated or "laced" with dangerous substances like opioid drugs.
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are generally chestnut brown with white stems. The cap can turn purplish-blue when bruised, and the spores are dark purple. They are usually about 3 inches tall, with some varieties having wavy caps.
It is crucial to know the source of the mushrooms and avoid consuming them if you have any doubts. There are test strips available to detect the presence of dangerous substances. You can also look for specific characteristics like blue bruising and dark gills. However, it can be challenging to distinguish between different species of dried mushrooms, and expert advice should be sought.
Dried mushrooms have hallucinogenic and psychoactive effects, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. The effects can vary from person to person and can include perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations. It is important to consult a professional or a medical doctor before consuming dried mushrooms due to their potential health risks.
