Emily Johnson
Foraging for mushrooms can be a fun activity, but it is critical to know how to identify the edible varieties to stay safe. There are several books available that can help with this, offering clear and concise information on the key characteristics of mushrooms, bright and bold photographs, and illustrations to help readers identify mushrooms in the wild. Some books also include recipes so you can cook with your foraged mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Book Title | Mushrooms: How to Identify and Gather Wild Mushrooms and Other Fungi |
| Author(s) | Thomas Laessoe, Anna Del Conte, Gary Lincoff |
| Publisher | North Spore |
| Number of Mushrooms Covered | 450 |
| Features | Color photographs, illustrations, overview of mushrooms, tips on collecting, preserving, and cooking, 20 recipes |
| Best for | Beginners and advanced learners |
| Other Similar Books | Fischer and Alan E. Bessette's Edible Wild Mushrooms of North America, Michael Kuo's 100 Edible Mushrooms, Mushrooms (Collins Gem) by Patrick Harding, Collins Complete British Mushrooms and Toadstools by Paul Sterry, Mushrooms by Roger Phillips, The Mushroom Guide and Identifier by Peter Jordan, Mushrooms of Ontario and Eastern Canada by George Barron, Mushrooms of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada by Timothy J. Baroni, An Initial Guide to the Identification of Mushrooms and Toadstools by Paul Nicol, Mushrooms and Other Fungi of Great Britain and Europe |
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What You'll Learn
How to identify edible mushrooms
Identifying edible mushrooms can be tricky, and it is recommended that you leave this task to professional mycologists (scientists who study fungi). However, if you want to learn how to identify edible mushrooms, there are several books available that can help you. These books provide detailed information, illustrations, and photographs to help you distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms. Here are some tips on how to identify edible mushrooms:
Consult a Field Guide or Book:
Purchase a mushroom field guide specific to your region or area. Field guides provide detailed information on common edible and poisonous mushrooms, including descriptions, illustrations, and photographs. Some recommended books include "The Mushroom Book: How to Identify, Gather, and Cook Wild Mushrooms and Other Fungi" by Thomas Laessoe, Anna Del Conte, and Gary Lincoff, and "How to Identify Edible Mushrooms" by Harding, Patrick, Lyon, Tony, and Tomblin. These books offer helpful tips and illustrations to support your identification process.
Observe the Appearance:
Pay attention to the appearance of mushrooms in your area. Edible mushrooms typically have brown or tan gills, while those with white gills are often deadly. Choose mushrooms with tan, brown, or white caps and stems rather than red. Avoid mushrooms with scales on the cap or a ring around the stem. The Agaric family, for example, has edible members with pink to brown/black gills and white caps. However, there are toxic members of this family that look very similar, so further tests are needed.
Smell the Mushroom:
If you've identified a mushroom as belonging to the Agaric family, perform a smell test. Edible Agarics have a pleasant mushroomy smell, sometimes with hints of aniseed or almond. On the other hand, toxic Agarics smell chemically or like Indian ink or iodine.
Check for Red and Blue Staining:
If you suspect a mushroom belongs to the Bolete family, check for any presence of red on the cap, stem, or pores. If you find red, treat the mushroom as poisonous. Additionally, cut the mushroom in half vertically. If the flesh stains blue, it is also considered poisonous.
Taste Test with Caution:
If you are certain that a mushroom belongs to the Russula family, you can perform a taste test. Place a tiny amount on your tongue. If it burns like chilli, the mushroom is poisonous. If it tastes pleasant and mushroomy, it is edible. However, this test should only be attempted with extreme caution and when you are confident about the mushroom's family.
Connect with Experts:
While books and guides can provide valuable information, it is always a good idea to consult knowledgeable experts. Connect with local mycological groups or universities to seek advice and potentially audit mycology classes to improve your mushroom identification skills. Remember, it is crucial to be 100% sure of a mushroom's edibility before consuming it.
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How to identify mushrooms by sight
Identifying mushrooms by sight can be tricky, but there are some key things to look out for. Firstly, it's important to note that mushroom identification is more of an art than a science, and it takes practice to become proficient. That being said, there are some tell-tale signs and characteristics that can help you identify mushrooms with your eyes alone.
One of the most important things to look for is the presence of pores or gills. Boletes, for example, are a type of mushroom defined by their separate cap and stem, with a spongy surface of pores. Chanterelles, on the other hand, are known for their wrinkled folds, or "false gills," which are distinct from the regular gills found on other mushrooms. The color and shape of the cap and stem are also important identifiers. For instance, the Old Man of the Woods mushroom has a unique cap and is orange-yellow in color, while the stems of chanterelles are often vase-shaped and the same color as their caps.
Another key feature to look out for is the habitat in which the mushrooms grow. Some mushrooms, like the Honey Fungus, grow in very specific environments, and knowing these can help you identify them. The size of the mushroom is also a factor, as some species are much larger or smaller than others. Additionally, some mushrooms may display a chemical reaction when exposed to certain substances, which can be a distinguishing feature.
Illustrated guides and field books can be incredibly helpful for mushroom identification. These often include bright, bold photographs and concise text that describe the important features of each mushroom. Some books provide an overview of mushrooms found in a specific region, like North America or Australia, which can be very useful for beginners.
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How to identify mushrooms by touch
While there are many books available that can help you identify mushrooms, this text will focus on how to identify mushrooms by touch.
Mushrooms in the Pholiota genus typically grow in large clumps on wood and are characterized by their dry caps, which are often covered in scales or fibers. Some species have caps that are sticky to the touch, while others have very scaly caps. Mushrooms in the Psathyrella group are small to medium-sized and are characterized by their fragile, thin caps and slender stems. They often grow in clumps and have conical caps. Mushrooms in the Stropharia genus are medium to large fungi, characterized by their often colorful, sticky caps, and gills that turn dark as they mature. Many species in this genus have a distinctive ring on their stems.
Mushrooms in the Pleurotus genus, often called "oyster mushrooms," are characterized by their broad, fan-shaped, or oyster-shaped caps. They grow on wood or debris, and the stem is either lateral or almost absent. The gills and flesh are brittle, and the gills are white or creamy. The species are usually brown, grey, white, or yellow and thick-fleshed with a stout appearance. Mushrooms in the Tapinella genus are characterized by their reddish-brown to dark brown velvety caps, decurrent gills, and preference for growing on dead or decaying trees. Instead of gills, these mushrooms exhibit diverse features on the underside of their caps, such as pores, ridges, or a spongy surface.
Boletes are typically characterized by a fleshy, convex cap and a porous or spongy underside instead of gills, although some species have gills. They are often found in forested areas and can range in color from brown to red to blue. Mushrooms in the Morchella genus, also known as morels, have a distinctive honeycomb-like cap and hollow stem.
When identifying mushrooms by touch, it is important to consider not only the characteristics of the cap and gills but also the overall structure and texture of the mushroom, including any rings or bulbs at the base of the stem. Additionally, the growth environment and color of the mushroom can provide important clues for identification. While touch is an important sense for mushroom identification, combining it with visual observation and other sensory information will increase the accuracy of your identification.
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How to identify mushrooms by smell
Smell is a crucial factor in mushroom identification. While it is not the only factor, it can be a quick way to rule out certain species. For example, mushrooms with a mealy or bleach-like odour are unlikely to be edible. Likewise, some mushrooms have a strongly unpleasant odour, such as stinkhorns and Lepiota cristata.
To identify a mushroom by smell, it is important to be able to describe the scent. Is it fruity, flowery, earthy, nutty, or phenolic? Some mushrooms have a strong odour, while others are more subtle. Chanterelles, for example, have a slightly fruity or flowery scent, while Russula mushrooms have a bitter taste.
It is also important to consider the context in which you are smelling the mushroom. Is it growing in a group or alone? What is the colour of the cap and stem? What is the shape of the cap and stem? Are there any gills or spines? What is the habitat of the mushroom? All of these factors can help to identify a mushroom by smell.
When identifying a mushroom by smell, it is crucial to be conservative. Do not taste any mushroom unless you are reasonably sure that it is safe to do so. Even then, it is advisable to start with a small piece to test for any adverse reactions. If you are ever in doubt, it is best to err on the side of caution and not consume the mushroom.
In addition to smell, there are other factors to consider when identifying mushrooms. Visual cues such as colour, size, shape, and habitat can all provide important clues. Additionally, taste can be a factor, but it is important to proceed with caution as some poisonous mushrooms can have a pleasant taste. Overall, mushroom identification requires practice and a comprehensive understanding of the various factors involved.
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How to identify mushrooms by location
Mushrooms can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests and woodlands to grasslands, sandy soils, and even challenging locales like high-altitude regions or acidic wetlands. Each habitat has distinct conditions that cater to the specific requirements of different mushroom species. Here are some tips on how to identify mushrooms based on their location:
Forests and Woodlands
Many mushrooms in these habitats are mycorrhizal and form mutualistic relationships with trees. Examples include boletes, chanterelles, and amanitas. Wood-decomposing mushrooms like shiitakes and polypores break down dead trees and branches. You can identify these mushrooms by their habitat and their appearance. For example, chanterelles have a distinct white and gray coloring, with a convex cap and a layer of woolly scales on top.
Grasslands and Meadows
Mushrooms like puffballs, waxcaps, and some agarics are commonly found in grasslands and meadows. These mushrooms may have distinctive features, such as the smooth caps of waxcaps that become viscid to glutinous when damp.
Bogs and Marshes
Certain specialized mushrooms, like those that grow on sphagnum moss, thrive in moist environments. These habitats are home to decomposer fungi like oysters and turkey tails, which can be identified by their distinctive features, such as the tooth-like projections on the underside of their caps.
Urban Areas
Certain mushrooms can even be found in urban habitats, such as on sidewalks, lawns, and in parks. These mushrooms may have adapted to the unique conditions of urban environments, and they can be identified by their ability to grow in these man-made habitats.
It is important to note that regional differences significantly impact fungal diversity. A mushroom species that is abundant in one region may be scarce or absent in another due to factors such as regional climates, soil types, and historical influences. Therefore, when identifying mushrooms by location, it is crucial to consider the specific ecological conditions of that area. Additionally, it is always recommended to use field guides or seek expert advice when identifying mushrooms to avoid confusion between edible and poisonous varieties.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many books available for identifying mushrooms. Some of the best include:
- 'Mushrooms' by Roger Phillips
- 'An Initial Guide to the Identification of Mushrooms and Toadstools' by Paul Nicol
- 'Mushrooms of Ontario and Eastern Canada' by George Barron
- 'The Mushroom Book: How to Identify, Gather and Cook Wild Mushrooms and Other Fungi' by Thomas Laessoe, Anna Del Conte and Gary Lincoff
'Mushrooms' (Collins Gem) by Patrick Harding is a great pocket-sized guide to mushrooms.
'Mushrooms' by Roger Phillips is considered the best photographic guide to identifying mushrooms.
