John Miller
There is no simple way to tell if a mushroom is poisonous or not. Many mushrooms are not poisonous, and some are even edible. However, there are toxic mushrooms that can cause mild nausea and vomiting, or even life-threatening seizures or liver failure. Some toxic mushrooms even contain psychoactive substances. Since many edible and poisonous mushrooms look alike, it can be hard to tell the difference. To identify a mushroom, it is important to learn about its characteristics and the environment it grows in.
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What You'll Learn
Learn the characteristics of the mushroom family
Learning the characteristics of the mushroom family is a good way to identify mushrooms. Here are some examples of mushroom families and their characteristics:
Agarics
The edible members of the Agaric family have pink to brown/black gills, a white cap, and usually a stout stem with a skirt. There are, however, toxic members of this family that look very similar. If you bruise the cap and it stains bright chrome yellow, it is likely poisonous. If it stains pale yellow, pink, or red, it is probably edible. Edible Agarics smell pleasantly of mushroom, some with hints of aniseed or almond, whereas toxic mushrooms smell of Indian ink or iodine or just chemically and unpleasantly.
Boletes
The Boletus, Suillus, and Leccinum families are easy to identify as they don't have gills but sponge-like pores and generally stout stems.
Chanterelles
Chanterelles have folds, whereas the toxic Jack O'Lantern has gills. The gills of the Jack O'Lantern end abruptly all at the same spot along the stem, whereas the folds of most Chanterelles run along the stem of the mushroom, ending unevenly at various points. Eating a Jack O'Lantern mushroom will cause vomiting and diarrhea but is not deadly.
Morels
Morels are highly sought-after edible mushrooms in North America, but there are poisonous "false morels" that resemble them. Morels have a honeycombed cap and are hollow inside, whereas false morels contain a highly toxic and carcinogenic chemical called gyromitrin.
Amanitas
Amanita is a very common genus of mushroom, and some of the most toxic types of mushrooms belong to this group. Amanita mushrooms can be identified by their white gills and dry, umbrella caps.
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Identify the individual mushroom
Identifying a toxic mushroom can be a challenging task, even for experts. There are between 50 and 100 species of mushrooms that may be toxic to humans, and many of them closely resemble edible mushrooms. Therefore, it is crucial to be cautious and well-informed before consuming any wild mushrooms. Here are some detailed guidelines to help you identify individual mushrooms and reduce the risk of poisoning:
Examine Visual Characteristics:
Take time to inspect the physical attributes of the mushroom. Pay attention to its colour, size, shape, texture, and gills. Mushrooms with white gills and dry, umbrella-like caps, such as those from the Amanita genus, are often poisonous. Red mushrooms should also be treated with caution, as many of them are toxic. Additionally, look for ridges or fine-edged gills under the cap; some toxic mushrooms have distinct features in these areas.
Check the Odour:
Smell the mushroom. Poisonous mushrooms often have an unpleasant, acrid, chemical, or fishy odour. On the other hand, most edible mushrooms have a pleasant, earthy aroma.
Study the Habitat and Surroundings:
Consider the location and environment in which the mushroom is growing. Take note of the season, surrounding plants, and nearby potential sources of pollution. Avoid picking mushrooms near roads, industrial sites, or contaminated areas, as they may absorb harmful environmental pollutants.
Use Field Guides and Expert Resources:
Invest in a detailed guidebook that illustrates the characteristics of both edible and toxic mushrooms. Online resources and mobile mushroom recognition apps can also be helpful, but they should be used with caution and in conjunction with other identification methods. Joining local mycological groups or consulting experienced mycologists can provide valuable knowledge and reduce the risk of misidentification.
Spore Print Analysis:
Creating a spore print is a reliable method to distinguish similar-looking mushrooms. Place the mushroom's cap (underside facing down) on a piece of paper or glass. After several hours, the colour of the spore print can help identify the species. For example, the toxic green-spored parasol mushroom produces a green or grey spore print, while the edible shaggy parasol yields a cream-coloured print.
Exercise Caution:
When in doubt, always err on the side of caution. Only consume mushrooms that you have identified with absolute certainty as being safe. If you are unsure about a mushroom's edibility, separate it from your edible collection and seek expert advice. Remember, consuming even a small piece of a toxic mushroom can have severe consequences.
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Check for gills and ridges
Checking for gills and ridges is a crucial step in identifying toxic mushrooms. While there are edible gilled mushrooms, some of the most poisonous varieties also have gills. Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid consuming gilled mushrooms unless you are absolutely certain of their edibility.
Amanita mushrooms, one of the most toxic mushroom groups, typically have white gills. Specifically, the Amanita phalloides, also known as the death cap, has white gills and is responsible for the highest number of mushroom poisonings worldwide. The destroying angel, another deadly Amanita variety, has pure white stalks and caps, with white gills underneath. The Lepiota Brunneoincarnata is also easily identifiable by its brownish-red cap and white gills, and it contains high concentrations of amatoxins, which can lead to severe reactions when consumed.
On the other hand, chanterelles, which are safe to eat, have blunt, gill-like ridges on the underside of their caps. Their false gills cannot be separated from the cap without breaking. In contrast, the toxic jack-o'-lantern mushrooms have true, sharp, non-forking, and deep-set gills that can be removed without damaging the cap. Additionally, the jack-o'-lantern's cap has a shiny, almost waxed appearance, while the chanterelle's cap is rougher in texture.
While not all toxic mushrooms will have gills, this is an important characteristic to look out for. Always exercise caution and familiarize yourself with the mushrooms in your region before consuming any foraged mushrooms.
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Take a spore print
Spore prints can be a great first step in identifying mushrooms and getting to know different species. Mushroom spores are very small and can only be seen individually with a microscope. However, the prints they create can be intricate, symmetrical, and impossibly fine.
To make a spore print, start by choosing a mushroom with visible gills. Cut off the stem right up to the gills so that the cap can sit flat. Place the mushroom gill-side down on a piece of paper, foil, or glass. Black paper works well for mushrooms with pale gills, and white paper for darker-gilled mushrooms. If you are using foil or glass, you can angle it in the light to see the spores reflect. Cover the mushroom gently with a glass or bowl to keep out breezes and help the humidity. You can also add a drop of water to the top of the cap to help release the spores. Leave the mushroom covered for anywhere from 2 to 24 hours, depending on the humidity and the freshness of the mushroom. When you take the cover off and remove the mushroom, there should be a coloured print of spores left on the paper. This is your spore print.
If you only have one specimen to study, you can use just a portion of the cap. If you don't want to separate the cap from the stem, make a hole in an index card, place the card on a paper cup, and slide the stem of the mushroom through the hole until the underside of the cap is resting on the card.
Spore prints can be preserved on paper or foil by spraying them lightly with an artist spray or hairspray. If you want to study the spores under a microscope, scrape some of the spores from your print with a needle or scalpel and place them on a microscope slide.
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Smell the mushroom
Smelling a mushroom can be one way to identify whether it is toxic or not. However, it is not a definitive test and should not be relied upon.
Some toxic mushrooms have a strong, unpleasant smell, like disinfectant, iodine, or kerosene. This smell can be even stronger if the mushroom is cooked. Other toxic mushrooms have a mild or pleasant odour, so smelling a mushroom is not a reliable way to determine whether it is safe to eat.
It is important to note that even mushrooms that smell nice can be toxic. For example, the deadly Amanita phalloides mushroom reportedly has a mild and honey-sweet smell when it is fresh and young. On the other hand, some edible mushrooms, like stinkhorn mushrooms, have a very strong odour.
While smell can sometimes be an indicator of toxicity, it is not always accurate. The Agaricus genus of mushrooms, for example, tends to have inedible species that smell phenolic and edible species that smell mild or almondy. However, this does not hold true for all genera of mushrooms, and relying solely on smell to determine edibility can be dangerous.
The only truly safe way to identify whether a wild mushroom is edible is to have it identified by a mushroom expert (mycologist) or to only eat mushrooms purchased from a reputable source, such as a supermarket or greengrocer. Touching or smelling a mushroom will not cause harm, but consuming the wrong type of mushroom can be dangerous and even deadly.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no simple way to tell if a mushroom is toxic. It is important to identify the individual mushroom and learn about it. Many mushrooms are not poisonous, and some are even edible. However, some toxic mushrooms can kill, so it is crucial to be 100% sure of what it is before consuming it.
Some of the most toxic types of mushrooms belong to the Amanita genus. The "death cap" mushroom, for instance, contains amanitin toxin, which leads to rapid cell death and multisystem organ failure. Other toxic mushrooms include the false morel, which contains a highly toxic and carcinogenic chemical called gyromitrin, and the jack o'lantern, which causes severe gastrointestinal distress.
Learning how to identify poisonous mushrooms is crucial if you plan on foraging for edible mushrooms. One way to identify mushrooms is by learning which family they belong to. For example, the Agarics family has both edible and toxic members that look very similar. However, if you bruise the cap of an Agaric mushroom and it stains bright chrome yellow, it is probably poisonous. Another identification method is to take a spore print. For instance, the toxic green-spored parasol mushroom will produce a green or grey spore print, while the edible shaggy parasol will produce a cream spore print.
If you or someone you know accidentally ingests an unidentified mushroom, call your local poison control center or seek medical care immediately, even if there are no symptoms. It is helpful to bring a sample of the mushroom in a sealed bag to assist healthcare providers in determining the next steps.
