Laura Smith
Mushroom hunting can be dangerous, as some species contain compounds that can be seriously damaging to health, even causing organ failure and death. However, it can also be extremely rewarding. If you are a beginner, it is important to familiarise yourself with poisonous species and avoid picking mushrooms that are difficult to identify, such as lactarius and russula species. You should also avoid puffballs, as they can easily be confused with poisonous amanitas. It is beneficial to take photographs of mushrooms before picking them and to make spore prints to help with identification. You should also consult field guides and, if you are hunting on government land, you may need a permit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Equipment | Mushroom identification chart, field guide, mushroom identification app, mushroom spore print, camera, tripod, wax paper/paper bag, spoon/trowel, water, snacks |
| Knowledge | Learn about dangerous mushrooms, their habitat, physical traits, and toxic look-alikes; know the legal situation in your area |
| Safety | Avoid jumping to conclusions, misleading information online, and plastic bags; be aware of poisonous species, potential poisoning factors, and the ecological impact of overpicking |
| Planning | Identify a genus, choose species that are not easily confused with poisonous fungi, consult experts, obtain permits, and check picking rules |
| Identification | Observe the mushroom's shape, texture, gills, smell, colour, bruising, size, base, and tap roots |
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What You'll Learn
- Know the dangers: Learn to identify poisonous mushrooms and avoid them
- Use a guide: Carry a field guide or identification chart to help recognise mushrooms
- Take photos: Photograph mushrooms from multiple angles to help with identification
- Check the habitat: Know the type of habitat your desired mushrooms grow in
- Be mindful: Only pick mushrooms you are certain are edible
Know the dangers: Learn to identify poisonous mushrooms and avoid them
Picking mushrooms can be dangerous, and it is important to learn how to identify poisonous mushrooms before consuming any wild mushrooms. Some species of mushrooms contain compounds that can be seriously damaging to health, even causing organ failure and death.
Amanita is a very common genus of mushroom, and some of the most toxic types of mushrooms belong to this group. The vast majority of mushroom-related deaths are caused by species in this genus, often due to mistaken identification. Amanita mushrooms usually have white or very pale gills, which is an easy way to distinguish them from other mushrooms. Other poisonous species to avoid include galerina, jack o'lantern, shaggy parasols, and false morel mushrooms, which all have edible look-alikes.
To identify poisonous mushrooms, you can use a field guide and join a local mycological group. You can also take photographs of mushrooms before picking them and compare them to the field guide or show them to experts. It is beneficial to take photos from multiple angles, including the entire mushroom, a close-up of the top, and the underside of the mushroom. Making a spore print can also help with identification, as the colour of a mushroom's spores is useful for identification. Cut off the stem of the mushroom and place the cap down on a piece of paper. Place a cup over the mushroom and wait overnight. If the mushroom is dropping spores, you will see them on the paper.
It is important to be cautious and avoid consuming any mushrooms that you are uncertain about. If you are a beginner, it is recommended to avoid picking lactarius and russula species, as well as puffballs, which can be easily confused with poisonous amanitas.
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Use a guide: Carry a field guide or identification chart to help recognise mushrooms
Carrying a field guide or identification chart is a great way to help recognise mushrooms when out foraging. It is important to get a good understanding of the fundamentals of mushroom picking, and a field guide will offer specific tips for your region. For instance, a good introductory book is 'How to Identify Edible Mushrooms' by Tony Lion and Gill Tomblin, and 'Mushrooms' by Roger Phillips is also recommended.
However, it is important to note that some mushrooms can be extremely challenging to identify, even for experienced mushroom hunters. So, it is a good idea to focus on identifying the genus first. A genus is a group of species that share the same characteristics, such as the magic mushrooms genus Psilocybe. By identifying the genus, you have a better chance of finding what you are looking for without poisoning yourself.
Field guides will often include details that may be easily missed when out foraging, so it is worth taking photographs of the mushrooms you find, including close-ups of the top and underside, as well as the surrounding landscape. You can then compare these photos to the images in your field guide. It is also beneficial to take notes on the physical traits of the mushrooms you come across, such as their size, texture, colour, and smell.
It is important not to skip any steps in the identification process, and to avoid jumping to conclusions. Some mushrooms may look similar to those you are familiar with, but could be toxic look-alikes. For example, Volvariella speciosa, an edible species in Asia, can be confused with Amanita phalloides, a deadly poisonous species in North America and Europe. Always be sure to check for dangerous mushrooms in your field guide, and avoid picking any that you are unsure about.
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Take photos: Photograph mushrooms from multiple angles to help with identification
Taking photographs of mushrooms from multiple angles is an important step in helping with identification. It is beneficial to take these photos before disturbing the mushroom, and be sure to include a size reference in the image, such as a coin or a small ruler. You will want photos of the entire mushroom (side profile), a close-up of the top of the mushroom, and the underside of the mushroom.
Some mushrooms will turn colours once they are touched or may even liquefy before you get them home, so it is important to capture these images before any changes occur. It is also useful to include some of the surrounding landscape in some of the shots. This can help with identification, as certain species of mushrooms prefer to grow in specific habitats. For example, certain species of the Psilocybe genus prefer damp fields, while others like to grow on rotting logs.
Once you have taken your photos, you can compare them to a field guide or use online resources to help with identification. However, it is important to note that many mushrooms look very similar, and it can be challenging to identify the exact strain, even for experienced mushroom hunters. Therefore, it is always important to get an expert to validate the identification, especially if you plan to consume the mushroom.
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Check the habitat: Know the type of habitat your desired mushrooms grow in
Knowing the type of habitat your desired mushrooms grow in is crucial for successful mushroom hunting. Different species of mushrooms thrive in specific environments, and understanding their preferred habitats can make your hunting more focused and efficient. Here are some tips to guide you:
First, identify the specific type of mushrooms you are interested in finding. This could be based on their common names, such as penny buns or porcini, or their scientific names, such as the Psilocybe genus for magic mushrooms. Knowing the type of mushroom you seek will help you target the right habitats.
Next, research the typical habitats for the mushrooms you have selected. Some mushrooms prefer damp fields, especially those with cow dung, while others may favour rotting logs or specific types of trees. For instance, certain mushrooms grow near deciduous trees, while others prefer conifers like pines or larches. Some mushrooms, like boletes, can often be found in or just outside woods, near paths, or in clearings with a mix of sunshine and shade. Understanding these habitat preferences will help you narrow down your search locations.
Additionally, consider the time of year and seasonal variations. Different mushrooms may fruit at various times of the year, and knowing when your desired mushrooms are most likely to be found can increase your chances of success. Consult field guides or experts to understand the fruiting patterns of the mushrooms you seek.
Lastly, be mindful of the legal considerations when hunting mushrooms. Laws regarding mushroom hunting vary from country to country, especially for fresh mushrooms containing psilocybin. Ensure that you are aware of and adhere to the regulations in your specific region.
By understanding the habitats and behaviours of the mushrooms you seek, you can greatly increase your chances of finding them. Remember to stay patient and always prioritise safety when hunting mushrooms.
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Be mindful: Only pick mushrooms you are certain are edible
Mushroom hunting can be dangerous. Some species contain compounds that can be seriously damaging to health, even causing organ failure and death. Therefore, it is important to be mindful and only pick mushrooms that you are certain are edible.
To ensure this, you should learn how to identify edible mushrooms and poisonous species that they might be confused with. You can do this by consulting a field guide, such as "How to Identify Edible Mushrooms" by Tony Lion and Gill Tomblin, or "Mushrooms" by Roger Phillips. These guides will tell you what the mushrooms look like, the time of year you are likely to find them, and the surroundings in which they grow. For example, some mushrooms prefer grassland, while others prefer woods. Some wood-lovers prefer deciduous trees, while others prefer conifers. Some conifer-lovers grow on the tree itself, while others grow near it.
Additionally, you can take photographs of the mushrooms before picking them, including a size reference and multiple angles, to compare with your field guide or show to experts for confirmation. You can also obtain a mushroom spore print by cutting off the stem and placing the cap on a piece of paper overnight. The colour of the spores can be useful for identification.
It is also beneficial to join a wild mushroom hunting course or group to build contacts within the hunting community and gain practical experience in hunting safe-to-eat mushrooms. Remember, mushroom identification takes skill and practice, so don't pick anything you are unsure about.
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Frequently asked questions
Identifying mushrooms can be challenging, so it is important to be able to recognise both edible and poisonous species. It is recommended to use a field guide or a mushroom-identification chart to help with identification. You can also take photographs of the mushrooms and consult experts.
It is beneficial to take photographs of the mushroom from different angles before picking it. You should also avoid using plastic bags and keep the mushrooms out of direct sunlight. If you are hunting on government land, you may need a permit.
Do not compare the mushrooms to photos in the field guide or on the web, as this often leads to misidentification. Avoid picking puffballs or lactarius and russula species if you are a beginner. Remember to familiarise yourself with dangerous mushrooms and avoid tasting any mushrooms before completing the identification process.
