Sarah Brown
Foraging for wild mushrooms can be an intimidating and dangerous activity, especially for beginners. However, with the right knowledge and preparation, it can be a mysterious and satisfying experience. Before heading out into the great outdoors, it is crucial to invest in a reliable mushroom identification guidebook to help distinguish between the various types of mushrooms. Some recommended guidebooks include All That the Rain Promises and More by David Arora and Mushrooms of the Northeast by Teresa Marrone and Walt Sturgeon, which provide detailed descriptions and images for easy reference. Additionally, understanding the characteristics of specific mushrooms, such as the distinctive honeycomb-like cap of morel mushrooms or the unique appearance of lobster mushrooms, can make identification easier and ensure a safe and rewarding foraging journey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cap | Pitted and deeply ridged, honeycomb-like structure (Morel) |
| Gills | Can be tricky to identify; several similar-looking mushrooms are poisonous |
| Colour | Red to orange exterior, white interior (Lobster) |
| Habitat | South-facing hillsides, sunny patches, recently burned areas (Morel) |
| Texture | Completely hollow when cut in half (Morel) |
| Edibility | Always cook Morel mushrooms before eating; False Morels cause gastric distress |
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What You'll Learn
Buy a mushroom identification guidebook
Foraging for mushrooms can be intimidating, especially for beginners. It is dangerous, too, as some mushrooms are poisonous or may cause gastric distress. Before you head out on your mushroom hunt, it is important to educate yourself on how to identify wild mushrooms. A great way to do this is to buy a mushroom identification guidebook.
There are several guidebooks available that can help you identify mushrooms. Some popular options include "All That the Rain Promises and More" by David Arora and "Mushrooms of the Northeast" by Teresa Marrone and Walt Sturgeon. These books provide detailed descriptions and good pictures of mushrooms, all in a portable package that you can easily carry on your foraging trips. Another option is the "Field Guide to North American Mushrooms" from the National Audubon Society.
When identifying mushrooms, it's important to remember that mushrooms with gills can be very difficult to distinguish from one another, and several of them are poisonous. Therefore, it is crucial to have a reliable guide to help you differentiate between similar-looking mushrooms. Guidebooks can provide illustrations and detailed descriptions of mushrooms, including information on their size, shape, color, and any unique characteristics.
Additionally, some mushrooms have look-alikes that can be confusing. For example, there are mushrooms called "false morels" that resemble the edible and easily identifiable morel mushrooms. However, false morels are not hollow and can cause gastric distress if consumed. By consulting a mushroom identification guidebook, you can learn about the key differences between similar-looking mushrooms and make informed decisions about which mushrooms are safe to forage.
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Identify morel mushrooms
Morel mushrooms are one of the easiest types of mushrooms to identify. They typically grow in the spring, once daytime temperatures reach the 60s and nighttime temperatures are in the 40s or higher, and after a few days of rain. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, along waterways, in recently burned areas, and along path edges. They tend to grow singly or in small groups.
When identifying morel mushrooms, the two most important features to examine are the cap shape and whether the interior is hollow. Morels have a distinct cap that is ridged and pitted inward, resembling a honeycomb. The cap is attached to the stem and does not hang free. The overall body of the mushroom is pointed, and when cut in half, morels reveal a hollow interior from the tip of the cap to the bottom of the stem.
It is important to distinguish true morels from false morels, as the latter can be poisonous. True morels have caps that are pitted with little hollows, while false morels may be ridged, wrinkled, waved, or smooth, but they do not have hole-like pits. False morels also have a free-hanging cap that is not attached to the stalk, while true morel caps are connected to the stalk. Some common false morel species to look out for include Gyromitra esculenta, often called the "brain mushroom," and Verpa bohemica, or the "early false morel."
There are over 18 morel species in North America, and they can vary in colour depending on the species and habitat. The common morel, also known as the white or grey morel, can range from light cream to yellowish-brown. The black morel, or eastern black morel, varies from grey in younger specimens to almost black in older ones.
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Look out for false morels
False morels are some of the most commonly misidentified mushrooms, and some varieties are toxic even after cooking. It is important to know how to distinguish them from true morels, which are safe to eat. False morels are larger than true morels, ranging from 3 to 7 inches tall and wide. They can be found at different times of the year, not just in spring. They have lumpy, wrinkled caps that can be black, grey, white, brown, or reddish. The caps do not have the honeycomb appearance of true morels, with their ridges and pits, but instead bulge outwards. False morel caps also have a "cerebral" or brain-like appearance due to multiple wrinkles and folds.
False morels typically have stocky stems that can be smooth or ribbed. The easiest way to distinguish false morels from true morels is to slice them in half. False morels are chambered, not hollow, and have pale flesh inside. Verpa species, which can be mistaken for true morels, are also not hollow but contain a cottony substance inside their stems.
Gyromitra esculenta, a type of false morel, is particularly dangerous and has been reported to cause up to 23% of mushroom fatalities in Poland each year. It has a cap that is usually reddish-brown but can also be chestnut, purplish-brown, or dark brown. Gyromitra caroliniana is another species of false morel that is often referred to as a false morel. It is a more southern species and can be quite large.
It is important to be able to correctly identify false morels to avoid potential poisoning, severe gastrointestinal issues, loss of muscular coordination, or even death.
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Find lobster mushrooms
Lobster mushrooms (Hypomyces lactifluorum) are parasitic fungi that attack the fruiting bodies of other fungi, such as Lactarius and Russulas. They transform these mushrooms into brilliant orange, reddish-orange, or coral-coloured, upside-down cones with white flesh, bearing a vague resemblance to their original host. They have a distinct seafood aroma and are usually found in woods and forests across the USA, especially under hemlock trees, typically in September or October.
To find lobster mushrooms, look for places where Russula or Lactarius mushrooms grow. In the Midwest, lobsters grow in mixed woods with birch, aspen, and red pine, while in Southern Minnesota, they favour mixed hardwood and oak forests. Lobster mushrooms often grow singly, in pairs, or in clusters, and they often lift up dirt as they grow out of the soil, so some cleaning may be required. They usually grow in the fall, after rains, and can be identified by their deformed, sometimes cracked caps that resemble a vessel or upside-down pyramid, and their blunt ridges with tiny pimples instead of gills.
When hunting for lobster mushrooms, it's important to exercise caution. While lobster mushrooms are edible and well-loved for their strong flavour, the underlying Russula mushroom can sometimes be poisonous. If the Russula the Hypomyces parasitic fungus attacks is poisonous, the resulting lobster mushroom will also be poisonous. Therefore, it is crucial to properly identify lobster mushrooms before consuming them. Additionally, specimens with white mould should be discarded as they may be past their prime and no longer safe for consumption.
Lobster mushrooms are not just sought after for their culinary uses but also for their ability to create natural dyes. Even old and smelly lobster mushrooms can be used to create a strong dye bath by simmering them, straining out the mushroom, and adding yarn. This process can yield colours ranging from pink to coral to yellow, depending on the pH of the bath.
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Chanterelle mushrooms
Chanterelles are usually easy to spot due to their vibrant colour. They can range from almost white to deep yellow or golden yellow-orange, with a white interior. When young, they resemble little gold buttons or egg yolks on the forest floor, maturing into a distinct vase-like or funnel shape with wavy, irregular edges. The caps of chanterelles are smooth, and the stems are fleshy and the same colour as the caps.
One of the key identification features of chanterelles is their false gills, which are actually forked ridges that extend down the stem. These ridges are light-coloured and rubbery to the touch. False chanterelles, on the other hand, have deeper, forked orange gills that move when stroked. Additionally, false chanterelles lack the conical shape of true chanterelles and have a more consistent stem thickness.
It is important to accurately identify chanterelles before consuming them, as there are poisonous false species that can cause severe stomach upset. Chanterelles never grow on wood, while false chanterelles grow on the ground, separate from each other. Jack-o'-Lantern mushrooms, which are highly toxic, grow on heavily decayed wood and produce a glowing bioluminescence. Always refer to a mushroom guidebook for your region and practice with a local expert to safely identify chanterelles and other wild mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
The safest way to learn about wild mushrooms is to learn from an expert in the field. You can also join a local mycological society, attend identification classes, or join mushroom Facebook groups focused on your area. When identifying mushrooms, look at the stem, a spore print, what the mushroom is growing on, and the structure of the stem base.
One example of an edible wild mushroom is the chanterelle, which can be identified by its wavy, funnel-shaped cap, and string cheese-like interior. Chanterelles are found on the east and west coasts of the U.S. and can be foraged during the summer and early fall. Another example is the porcini mushroom, which has a medium-sized brown or tan cap and grows near spruces, firs, and pines.
Mushrooms with white gills are often deadly. Many mushrooms with a ring of tissue beneath the cap, resembling a second veil-like cap, are also poisonous. The Amanita phalloides, the world's most poisonous mushroom, grows in BC.
