Michael Davis
Indiana is home to thousands of mushroom varieties, some of which are poisonous and even deadly. For instance, the Common Puffball, which resembles immature Amanita mushrooms, can cause severe lung inflammation if spores from its warts are inhaled. Another dangerous variety is the Violet-toothed Polypore, which is often mistaken for edible fungi due to its shell-like shape and striped purple colouring. To avoid misidentification, it is crucial to never consume wild mushrooms unless you are with a mycologist or a mushroom identification expert. These experts can distinguish safe mushrooms from dangerous look-alikes, such as the Green-spored Parasol, which can be toxic when ingested.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Types | Thousands |
| Edibility | Many are poisonous, some are deadly |
| Shape | Round, umbrella-like cap, short, thin stalk |
| Cap Diameter | 3-12 inches |
| Cap Colour | Medium brown, off-white, dark brown, white, black, shades of brown |
| Gill Colour | White or off-white |
| Gill Placement | Visible around the edges of the top, prominent on the underside |
| Stalk Colour | Bright white |
| Environment | Rotten logs, roots, tree stumps, decaying Aspen and Poplar trees |
| Stacking Pattern | Stacked clusters, stacked pattern |
| Toxicity | Can cause stomach problems, dehydration, lung inflammation, coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing |
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What You'll Learn
Common Indiana mushrooms
Indiana is home to thousands of mushroom varieties. Here is a guide to help identify some of the most common Indiana mushrooms.
Violet-toothed Polypore
This mushroom is easily identified by its shell-like shape and striped purple colouring. It grows in stacked clusters on decaying aspen and poplar trees. The caps are 8-30 cm in diameter, and the gills are very prominent on the underside. This species is poisonous to dogs and inedible to humans.
Common Puffball
The Common Puffball has a typical mushroom shape with a round, umbrella-like cap and a short, thin stalk. As it matures, the cap expands and becomes convex. The colouring is most commonly medium brown but can range from off-white to dark brown. It can be found on rotten logs, roots, and tree stumps. Be careful not to confuse it with immature Amanita mushrooms, which are poisonous. The Common Puffball's spores can cause severe lung inflammation in both humans and dogs.
Turkey-tail
The Turkey-tail mushroom is characterised by concentric rings of different colours on its caps, ranging from black to shades of brown and white. They often grow in a stacked pattern, resembling roof tiles, on the logs of deciduous trees in mature forests.
Fly Agaric
Fly Agaric mushrooms have a bright white stalk and a red, white-spotted cap, resembling the mushrooms found in Mario video games. They are considered toadstools, which are usually poisonous to humans.
Remember, it is important to never eat a mushroom you find in the wild without having it identified by a mycologist (mushroom expert) as many mushrooms are poisonous and some can be deadly.
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How to avoid poisonous mushrooms
It is challenging to identify poisonous mushrooms, even for experts, as there are thousands of species, and many of them look alike. Some mushrooms are toxic, and some are even deadly. Therefore, it is essential to be cautious and follow some strict guidelines to avoid poisoning.
Firstly, never eat a wild mushroom unless it has been identified by a mycologist (mushroom expert). Do not eat any wild mushrooms unless you are on an organised tour with an expert. Only eat mushrooms purchased from a reputable supermarket, grocer, or market. If you are collecting mushrooms to eat, learn about the local poisonous mushrooms and how to distinguish them, especially the deadly species. Identify every mushroom you plan to eat, and if you cannot verify every identifying characteristic, do not eat it. When in doubt, throw it out.
Secondly, always cook mushrooms before eating, as some contain heat-labile toxins that are eliminated by cooking.
Finally, if you or someone you know ingests an unidentified mushroom, seek emergency medical care, even if there are no symptoms. If someone has become ill after eating wild mushrooms, call 911, or contact your local poison control service for immediate information.
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Mushroom identification experts
Indiana is home to thousands of mushroom varieties, some of which are poisonous and even deadly. To become a mushroom identification expert in Indiana, one must undergo advanced studies in mycology, as well as gain considerable foraging and identification experience.
The Indiana Department of Health's Food Protection Division (IDOH FPD) defines the requirements and qualifications for becoming a mushroom identification expert. The process involves submitting documentation and proof of education and experience. This includes a written recommendation from a mycologist or a similarly qualified individual with extensive study in the field of fungi identification, typically at a PhD or master's level. Alternatively, applicants can provide proof of attendance at a mushroom training course, such as those offered by the Hoosier Mushroom Society or another accredited organisation.
Some common mushrooms found in Indiana include the Violet-toothed Polypore, which grows on decaying aspen and poplar trees and is identifiable by its shell-like shape and striped purple colour. Another is the Common Puffball, which can be mistaken for immature Amanita mushrooms, which are poisonous. The Deer Mushroom can be found on rotten logs, roots, and tree stumps, and the Turkey-tail variety is often spotted in mature forests with stacked, multicoloured caps.
It is important to exercise caution and never consume wild mushrooms without expert identification due to the potential health risks involved.
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Mushroom lookalikes
It is important to be able to identify mushrooms accurately, as there are many poisonous varieties that look similar to edible mushrooms. Even where the fungi grow can be a clue as to the mushroom variety. Some of the most common mushroom lookalikes are:
Death Cap (Amanita phalloides)
This is one of the most poisonous mushrooms in the world and is responsible for most mushroom-related deaths. It is found in many parts of the world and has been misidentified as the edible straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea), field mushroom (Agaricus campestris), and when young, a puffball.
Destroying Angel (Amanita verna)
This is another highly poisonous species found in many parts of the world. It resembles the edible meadow mushroom (Agaricus campestris).
False Chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca)
This mushroom is found in North America and Europe and closely resembles the edible chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius).
Jack-o'-lantern (Omphalotus olearius)
This mushroom is found in North America and looks like the edible orange chanterelle (Cantharellus californicus).
Fool's Mushroom (Amanita citrina)
Found in Europe, this mushroom resembles the edible honey fungus (Armillaria mellea).
Common Puffball
The Common Puffball can be easily confused with immature Amanita mushrooms, which are poisonous and sometimes even deadly. The spores contained in the Common Puffball's warts can cause severe lung inflammation, resulting in a cough, wheezing, or trouble breathing.
It is always best to avoid consuming any mushroom that has not been identified by an expert. Proper education and identification are crucial to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushroom species.
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Where mushrooms grow
There are thousands of different types of mushrooms in Indiana, and they can grow in a variety of locations. Mushrooms are fungi that feed on organic matter, so they are often found on dead trees, logs, and stumps, as well as grass, wood chips, dung, and garden mulch. Some mushrooms, like the Turkey-tail, thrive in mature forests with plenty of dead trees on the forest floor.
One common place to find mushrooms is on deciduous trees, where the Turkey-tail mushroom is often spotted. This multicolored fungus is easy to identify due to its concentric rings of different colors. Another type of mushroom that grows on trees is the Crowded Parchment, which is commonly found on dead oak trees. This mushroom resembles crumpled pieces of paper and helps break down the dead trees. However, it is important to leave this mushroom alone as it is often found near harmful substances like jelly fungus and algae.
Mushrooms can also be found on the grass, with some species growing in clusters. The Galerina genus, for example, has a conical to bell-shaped cap, a slender stalk, and gills attached to the stem. These mushrooms obtain their nutrients from decomposing organic matter, which is why they are often found on tree stumps as well. The Kuehneromyces genus is another group of mushrooms that obtain their nutrients from decomposing organic matter, and they are often found on tree stumps as a result.
In addition to grass and trees, mushrooms can also grow on wood or debris. The Pleurotus genus, commonly known as oyster mushrooms, is often found in these environments. They are characterized by their broad, fan-shaped, or oyster-shaped caps, and their stems are either lateral or nearly absent. Agrocybe mushrooms are another type of fungus that can be found in a variety of locations, including grass, wood chips, dung, and woods. They are typically small to medium-sized with brown spore prints and dry caps that can be convex, bell-shaped, or nearly flat.
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Frequently asked questions
You should never eat a mushroom you find in Indiana unless it has been identified by an expert. There are many poisonous types, and some species are deadly. Proper identification requires advanced studies in the field of mycology, considerable foraging experience, and specific qualifications.
The Violet-toothed Polypore is a species of mushroom that is common in Indiana and highly poisonous to dogs. It can cause stomach problems and dehydration. It is identifiable by its shell-like shape, striped purple colouring, and growth in stacked clusters on decaying Aspen and Poplar trees. Another example is the Common Puffball, which can be confused with immature Amanita mushrooms, which are sometimes deadly.
The Common Greenshield Lichen, found across Indiana, is technically a lichen, not a mushroom. It often grows on tree bark and is identifiable by its rounded, pale-green growth with wavy edges. The Fly Agaric is another distinctive mushroom, resembling the mushrooms in Mario video games.
A mushroom identification expert in Indiana should have qualifications such as a master's or PhD with extensive study in mycology or fungi identification. They should also have written recommendations from certified mycologists or national mushroom organisations, as well as proof of attendance at accredited mushroom training courses.
