Michael Davis
Mushroom foraging has become increasingly popular in Australia, with more and more people joining identification groups and learning how to identify edible mushrooms. However, mushroom identification is a serious and potentially dangerous business, as there are many toxic varieties that can cause severe illness or even death. Australia is home to over 250,000 species of fungi, but only around 5,000 have been described, and only a small portion of these have been deemed safely edible. Therefore, it is crucial to approach any mushroom with caution and to treat it as toxic unless proven otherwise. To safely identify edible mushrooms, foragers must gain a solid understanding of the basic anatomy of fungi and the key factors that distinguish edible from toxic varieties. This knowledge can be gained through field guides, apps, and prolonged field experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of fungi species in Australia | Over 250,000 |
| Number of described species | 5,000 |
| Number of assessed edible species | A minute portion of the described species |
| Deadly mushrooms | Amanita phalloides (Death Cap), Agaricus xanthodermus (Yellow Stainer) |
| Edible mushrooms with no close toxic lookalikes | Saffron Milkcaps, Weeping Boletes, Slippery Jacks |
| Books for mushroom identification | Wild mushrooming: A guide for foragers, Rainforests of Australia's East Coast |
| Apps for mushroom identification | FungiOz, Mushrooms Pro, Audubon Mushrooms |
| Mushroom characteristics for identification | Cap shapes and margins, stem shapes, surfaces, bases, and ring types, gill types and edges, surface texture (scaly, warts, smooth, hair) |
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What You'll Learn
Basic anatomy of fungi
Australia is home to an estimated 250,000 species of fungi, but only around 5,000 have been described, and only a tiny fraction of those have been assessed as safely edible. It is therefore important to be able to identify different types of fungi and understand their basic anatomy.
Fungi can grow as saprophytes, parasites, or both, by using specific enzymes to break down substrates and absorb the products of digestion through the fungal cell envelope. The fungal cell wall gives shape and form, protects against mechanical injury, prevents osmotic lysis, and provides passive protection against harmful macromolecules. Many fungi occur as unicellular forms called yeasts, which reproduce by budding. Other fungi, such as Candida, are dimorphic, growing as a mycelium in nature and as a yeast in the body. Small molecules, such as simple sugars and amino acids, can diffuse through the cell wall, while larger molecules, such as proteins and starch, must undergo preliminary digestion before they can be absorbed by the fungal cell.
When identifying mushrooms, it is important to be able to distinguish between pores, gills, and teeth. These features are commonly used in guidebooks to help identify different species of fungi. While one mushroom may not exhibit all of these features, knowing that they exist is a good starting point for identification.
In addition to their morphology, the basic biology of fungi includes processes such as the production of diploid nuclei in a heterokaryotic, haploid mycelium, and the segregation and recombination of chromosomes during mitosis. Fungi can reproduce sexually or asexually, and some fungi exhibit both methods of reproduction.
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Field guides and reference books
Wild Mushrooming: A Guide for Foragers
This guide, authored by Alison Pouliot and Tom May, takes a slow mushrooming approach, emphasising conservation and ecological foraging. It covers scientific and cultural aspects of fungi, with stunning photography, aiding in the identification of 10 edible species. It also includes vital information on toxic fungi and their look-alikes, making it an invaluable reference for mushroom foragers.
Rainforests of Australia's East Coast
This practical field guide is dedicated to the identification of native rainforest species, including mushrooms. It features over 800 colour photographs, informative graphics, maps, and detailed descriptions of more than 300 species. It is a valuable resource for bushwalkers, students, and anyone interested in Australia's flora.
Queensland Mycological Society Guide
The Queensland Mycological Society offers a guide that blends science, caution, and cuisine. It focuses on 10 edible mushrooms, teaching accurate identification, foraging practices, and even provides recipes. This guide promotes safe and respectful foraging, making it ideal for those interested in wild mushroom cooking.
South Australian Macrofungi Reference
This definitive reference for South Australian macrofungi is a modern revision of Cleland's early work. It includes detailed descriptions, keys, line illustrations, and colour illustrations, making it essential for serious mushroom identifiers in the region.
Australian Fungi Identification: Basidiomycota
This online resource provides images and information on Australian native fungi belonging to the Basidiomycota phylum, which includes mushrooms, toadstools, and morels. While not a comprehensive field guide, it offers visual identification aids and cross-references samples with other resources to ensure accurate botanical identification.
These books and guides offer a wealth of knowledge for both beginners and experienced mushroom enthusiasts, aiding in the exploration and understanding of Australia's diverse fungi ecosystem. Remember to always use multiple sources and cross-reference when identifying mushrooms to ensure accuracy and safety.
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Online identification resources
There are a variety of online resources available to help identify mushrooms in Australia. These include websites, apps, and online communities. Here are some specific examples:
- The FungiOz app offers a 3-step identification process, including identifying mushrooms by cap shape and margin type, stem shape and surface, and gill type and edge.
- The Audubon Mushrooms and Mushrooms Pro apps also offer interactive features for mushroom identification.
- INaturalist is a website and app that can help narrow down mushroom species by observable traits such as cap colour, gills, and size. While it may not always identify the correct species, it can provide a good starting point for further research.
- Mushroom Expert is a website that provides keys for identifying specific genera of mushrooms.
- Online communities such as the r/mycology subreddit can be a source of advice and recommendations for mushroom identification tools and techniques.
In addition to these online resources, it is important to have a solid understanding of the basic anatomy of fungi and the factors to consider when making an accurate identification. Prolonged field experience and joining a foraging group can also help develop the skills and knowledge needed to identify mushrooms safely and accurately.
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Foraging tours and groups
Foraging for mushrooms can be dangerous, as Australia is home to over 250,000 species of fungi, but only around 5,000 have been described, and only a tiny proportion of those have been assessed as safely edible. The Death Cap mushroom, for example, is responsible for 90% of mushroom-related deaths worldwide. Therefore, it is important to join a foraging group or tour, where you can learn how to identify mushrooms and which ones are safe to pick.
There are many mushroom foraging tours and groups in Australia, and some of the best are listed below:
- Mushroom Foragers of South Australia: Led by horticulturalist and mushroom guide Kate Grigg, this group offers guided foraging walks where you can learn about identifying and picking edible wild mushrooms.
- Mushroomtours.com: Join Cameron for an informative drive and stroll along the lane-ways of the Mornington Peninsula. Learn how to distinguish between different varieties of mushrooms in the region.
- Autumnharvest.com.au/tours: Spend half a day foraging, cooking, and picnicking with Chris Kowalski, who will teach you about wild mushrooms and provide a basic cooking lesson.
- Mosshouse.com.au/natural/events: This guided tour takes place in the Blue Mountains, two hours outside of Sydney. You'll learn about wild mushrooms and which ones are safe to pick, and you'll enjoy a cooked lunch in the forest.
- Yarravalleyfarms.com.au: On this tour, you'll learn about wild mushrooms, meet the buyers from Yarra Valley Farms, and enjoy a cooking demonstration and tasting.
- Diegobonetto.com: This tour, led by mushroom expert Diego Bonetto, departs from Sydney's inner west at 7 am. You'll be taken by minibus to the pine forests two hours south of the city, where you'll learn about mushroom varieties and enjoy lunch in the forest.
- Work-shop.com.au/event/mushroom-foraging-brendan-cato/: Join chef Brendan Cato for a mushroom foraging tour in the Southern Highlands.
- Experience Nature: In May 2025, local forager Amanda led a unique mushroom foraging workshop in the Southern Highlands. Guests explored pine forests in search of Saffron Milk Cap and Slippery Jack mushrooms, and then cooked their finds the traditional way.
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Toxic and edible varieties
Australia is home to over 250,000 species of fungi, but only around 5,000 have been described, and only a tiny proportion of those have been assessed as safely edible. It is, therefore, best to assume that any mushroom found is toxic until proven otherwise.
The Death Cap (Amanita phalloides) is the most deadly mushroom in Australia and is responsible for 90% of mushroom-related deaths worldwide. It causes fatal organ failure and has resulted in at least four deaths in Australia since 2002. The Yellow Stainer (Agaricus xanthodermus) is the most common cause of mushroom poisoning in Australia, and while not as deadly as the Death Cap, it can be dangerous to those with compromised immune systems. It resembles store-bought white mushrooms, making it a serious pitfall for novice foragers.
Some other toxic species found in Australia include the Shaggy Parasol (Chlorophyllum rhacodes, C. olivieri, and C. brunneum) and the Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria), which is easily identified by its presence in fairy stories. It causes gastrointestinal upsets, as do many other non-deadly fungi. Some species of Galerina bear a striking similarity to the popular Psilocybe subaeruginosa ('Golden Tops'), a hallucinatory mushroom, increasing the possibility of accidental poisoning.
Fortunately, there are a handful of edible mushrooms with no close toxic lookalikes. These include the Saffron Milk Cap (Lactarius deliciosus), the Slippery Jack (Suillus luteus and Suillus granulatus), and the Weeping Bolete. The Slipper Jack (Suillus luteus and Suillus granulatus) is a popular edible species, but the similar-sounding Lepista nuda is toxic if eaten raw.
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Frequently asked questions
It is advised to consider any mushroom you find in Australia as toxic until proven otherwise. Mushroom identification is serious and can have fatal consequences if done incorrectly. There are several resources available to help with mushroom identification, including field guides, websites, and apps. Prolonged field experience is also a great teacher.
Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the Death Cap, is responsible for 90% of mushroom-related deaths worldwide and has caused four deaths in Australia since 2002. Agaricus xanthodermus, or Yellow Stainer, is another toxic mushroom in Australia that has led to many hospitalisations.
Some edible mushrooms in Australia include Saffron Milkcaps, Weeping Boletes, and Slippery Jacks. However, it is important to be cautious as there are toxic lookalikes.
