Mushroom Identification: Uk Foraging

The British Isles are home to a staggering 15,000 species of mushrooms and wild fungi, which can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, and even your own garden. Fungi are neither plants nor animals but play an important ecological role, helping to transfer nutrients from the soil to tree roots and recycling dead organic matter. While some species of mushrooms are edible and considered a delicacy, others are poisonous and even hallucinogenic. Therefore, it is important to be able to identify mushrooms correctly before picking or consuming them.

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Identification guides

Identifying mushrooms can be tricky, and deadly poisonous toadstools can share the same characteristics as many edible fungi. It is always best to know all the specific features of a mushroom before consuming it. If you are ever unsure about the identity of a mushroom, do not pick or eat it.

There are some distinct, common species that are much easier to identify than others. Getting a good identification book can be very helpful. Some mushrooms have familiar and reliable traits, such as the Giant Puffball, which is easily recognisable.

• The cap is usually convex or funnel-shaped, and the gills run down the stem in most species.
• The caps of most species are smooth and become viscid to glutinous when damp.
• 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.
• The species in the Melanoleuca genus are medium to large-sized fungi commonly found in grasslands, meadows, and wooded areas. They have white spore prints, smooth caps that are often flat with a central umbo, and fibrous stems that lack both a ring and a volva.
• The species in this group exude droplets of milky-white, coloured or transparent liquid when damaged. The stem is usually brittle and does not have a ring or partial veil.
• The gills are usually attached to the stem and are often in shades of purple.
• Mushrooms in the Agarics group have white spore prints and white gills. They often have a sac-like structure (volva) or a bulb at the base of the stem, and a rim at the base of the stem.
• Some mushrooms have a greenish spore print, which causes them to have greenish gills.
• In place of gills, some species have spines (stalactite-like projections) under the cap, making it look rather hedgehog-like. The spines are paler than the cap, and the cap is creamy, medium-sized and fleshy.
• Some mushrooms appear like an ox tongue or raw meat and ooze a blood-like substance when cut.
• Common Inkcap: This mushroom has a fawn-grey conical cap that’s grooved and often split at the edges. It has a hollow white stem and grows in tufts from buried decaying wood.
• Shaggy Parasol: The cap is at first egg-shaped and chestnut-brown, then opens flat and the outer skin breaks up into shaggy brown scales on a cream background. The gills are creamy-white, bruising red. The stem is bulbous at the base and has a double ring that can be moved up and down. It smells sweetly aromatic and can grow up to 20cm tall and 15cm across. It is found in woods and shrubberies, often with conifers, from summer to late autumn.
• Collared Earthstar: This looks like a small, brown bulb. The outer skin peels back into 4-8 pointed rays, covered in a fleshy layer. The fleshy layer cracks as the rays bend back and curl under, raising up the spore bag. It is up to 10cm across and is found among leaf litter in deciduous woods, especially beech in chalky soils in the south, from late summer to autumn.
• Common Earthball: Rounded, dirty-yellow to ochre-brown, up to 10cm across. The thick, tough skin is covered in coarse warty scales. Unlike puffballs, the scaly cap splits open to release spores.

Edible vs poisonous

Mushrooms are a type of fungus that can be found in many different environments, from deep in the forest to streambanks and trees. While some mushrooms are edible, others are poisonous and can cause severe health issues or even death. It is important to be able to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms, especially when foraging or spending time in nature. Here are some key considerations when it comes to edible vs poisonous mushrooms in the UK:

Identification

Identifying mushrooms can be challenging, and it requires knowledge and experience. When identifying mushrooms, it is important to consider various factors, including their habitat, growth pattern, size, shape, and texture, stem characteristics, and the presence of gills, pores or spikes under the cap. Additionally, using multiple guidebooks or picture references is essential, as mushrooms can vary in appearance depending on their growing conditions and maturity.

Edible Mushrooms

Edible mushrooms can be found in a variety of environments, including forests, streambanks, and trees. When foraging for edible mushrooms, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of mushroom species and their characteristics to ensure safe consumption. Some commonly foraged edible mushrooms in the UK include the fairy ring champignon *(Marasmius oreades)* and the St. George's mushroom *(Calocybe gambosa)*.

Poisonous Mushrooms

Poisonous mushrooms can be found in almost any habitat in the UK, including gardens, woodlands, meadows, and forests. It is important to be able to identify and avoid these mushrooms to prevent accidental poisoning. Some of the most poisonous mushrooms in the UK include:

• Death Cap (Amanita phalloides): Contains alpha-amanitin, a toxin that causes liver and kidney failure. It is responsible for most fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide.
• Destroying Angel (Amanita): Belongs to the same family as the Death Cap and is highly poisonous.
• Fool's Conecap: Contains alpha-amanitin toxin and is commonly found in gardens, growing in leaf litter, rotting woodchip piles, and compost.
• Deadly Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus): Found in coniferous pine and spruce woods, it contains orellanine, a powerful mycotoxin.
• Funeral Bell (Galerina marginata): Contains amatoxins, which are also found in Death Cap mushrooms, and can cause liver damage and potential death.
• Panther Cap: Brown with white spots, this mushroom causes intense sickness and affects the central nervous system, leading to hallucinations and convulsions.
• Fool's Funnel: Grows in fairy rings, often with edible species, making it a serious risk to inexperienced foragers.
• Ivory Funnel (Clitocybe dealbata): Contains muscarine, a potent toxin, and is commonly found in grasslands, gardens, and parks.

It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive, and there are many other poisonous mushrooms in the UK. Always exercise caution and never consume a mushroom unless you are absolutely certain it is edible. If poisoning is suspected, seek prompt medical attention.

Habitat and seasonality

The UK is home to a variety of wild mushrooms, with different species favouring different habitats and seasons. Mushrooms can be found in woodlands, grasslands, and even gardens. Some species are specific to certain seasons, while others are available year-round.

Woodlands

Woodlands are a common habitat for mushrooms, especially in the autumn when the cooler, wetter weather provides ideal conditions for fungi to flourish. Woodlands near oak, beech, or birch trees are excellent spots for finding mushrooms like porcini and chanterelles. Coniferous woodlands, particularly those with moss, are also good places to look for mushrooms like the Fly Agaric, which has a brown cap with white spots.

Grasslands and Meadows

Grasslands, meadows, and fields are also habitats for certain mushroom species. Some mushrooms, like the field mushroom, favour grassy areas and meadows. The Giant Morel, a larger variant of the Morel mushroom, can be found in grasslands during the autumn. Meadows and heathlands are also fruitful areas for foraging, with varieties like Girolle, also known as the golden chanterelle, abundant during the summer.

Gardens

Some mushrooms, like the Portobello variety, can be found in gardens. The King Oyster mushroom, which prefers warmer temperatures, is also commonly cultivated in gardens during the summer months.

Seasonal Availability

The seasonality of mushrooms in the UK varies, with certain species flourishing during specific times of the year. Mushroom season typically runs from late August to November, with September and October being the peak months for foraging. Varieties such as porcini, chanterelles, and field mushrooms are most abundant during this time. While autumn is the prime season, some mushrooms like the oyster variety and velvet shank can be found during the winter months, and chicken of the woods often appears in summer.

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Physical characteristics

There are roughly between 14,000 to 15,000 types of wild fungi in the UK. Mushrooms (or toadstools) are fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of certain fungi. They vary widely in size and form, from the microscopically small to the largest organisms on Earth. Some common types of mushrooms include:

Oyster Mushrooms

Mushrooms in the Pleurotus genus, often called "oyster mushrooms," are characterised by their broad, fan-shaped or oyster-shaped caps. They grow on wood or debris. The stem is either lateral or almost absent. The gills and flesh are brittle, the gills white or creamy, and the stem does not have a ring or partial veil. The species in this group are generally brown, grey, white or yellow and thick-fleshed with a stout appearance.

Agrocybe Mushrooms

Agrocybe mushrooms are typically small to medium-sized, with brown spore prints and dry caps. Their caps can be convex, bell-shaped, or nearly flat, and their colours range from yellow-brown to tan. They grow on grass, wood chips, dung, garden mulch, or in woods.

Woodwaxes/Waxy Caps

The gills run down the stem (decurrent) in most of the species, and the cap is usually convex or funnel-shaped. The caps of most species are smooth and become viscid to glutinous when damp, though not all exhibit this trait. The lamellae beneath the cap are typically distant, thick, waxy, and broadly attached or decurrent. They usually have rings on the stems and scales on the caps. Some are very large, some small. The stem is fibrous and gills are usually attached to the stem and are often in shades of purple.

Melanoleuca Genus

The species in this group exude droplets of milky-white, coloured or transparent liquid when damaged. The stem is usually brittle and does not have a ring or partial veil. The species in this group are mostly small and white with tough flesh. The stem is typically long, thin, and tough, with a smooth or slightly fibrous texture. It is usually equal in width throughout and does not have a ring or partial veil. Melanoleuca genus are medium to large-sized fungi commonly found in grasslands, meadows, and wooded areas. They have white spore prints, smooth caps that often are flat with a central umbo, appearing in shades of white, beige, or brown, and fibrous stems that lack both a ring and a volva.

Common Inkcap

Common inkcap is very common and appears after rain. It has a fawn-grey conical cap that’s grooved and often split at the edges. It has a hollow white stem and grows in tufts from buried decaying wood. It can grow up to 17cm tall and is found in pastures, parks and gardens, tree stumps and pavements - wherever there is buried wood.

Fly Agaric

Fly agaric is probably the most familiar toadstool, with a brilliant scarlet or orange cap covered with white, wart-like spots. Underneath the cap, the gills are white.

Warted Puffball

Also known as the gem-studded puffball or the devil's snuff-box, this species has an upturned pear-shape that usually grows to 3–6 cm across and 4–9 cm tall. It has tiny pearl-like dots covering the outer surface. Common puffballs are initially white, later turning yellow, olive or brown with age. When mature, the spores escape through a hole in the top. They often grow in groups on the ground in leaf litter in woodland and pasture.

Scarlet Elf Cups

Scarlet elf cups are cup-shaped to saucer-shaped, up to 4 cm across. The upper surface is a brilliant scarlet red, fading with age to orange. The underside is paler and downy. They are attached by a little stalk and are found on decaying sticks and branches buried in leaf litter or moss in damp places on the woodland floor. They are more common in the wetter west side of the UK.

Consumption advice

The UK is home to roughly 15,000 types of wild fungi, and it is imperative to identify mushrooms with absolute certainty before consuming them. Misidentification can lead to accidental poisoning or unintended psychedelic experiences.

• Accurate identification is critical: Properly identifying the species of a mushroom is the only safe way to ensure edibility. Never consume mushrooms unless you are 100% certain of their identity. Do not rely on a single source for identification, and always use multiple sources or advanced techniques such as chemistry or microscopy if needed.
• Understand the regulations: In the UK, the sale, cultivation, and consumption of mushrooms are subject to regulations. For example, Lion's Mane mushrooms must adhere to Food Standards Agency (FSA) regulations, including proper labelling, hygiene standards, and compliance with import/export laws.
• Foraging considerations: If foraging for wild mushrooms, always seek permission from landowners before entering private or protected land. Some recommended mushrooms for novice foragers in the UK include the Giant Puffball, Beefsteak Fungus, and Cauliflower Fungus, as they have no dangerous lookalikes.
• Cooking and preparation: Cooking mushrooms can improve their texture and reduce trace levels of toxic hydrazines. Common cooking methods include frying, roasting, baking, and microwaving. Cooking also increases the content of certain nutrients, especially dietary minerals. Avoid consuming Coprinopsis atramentaria (common inkcap) with alcohol due to the presence of coprine, which can be toxic when combined with alcohol.
• Psychedelic mushrooms: The consumption of hallucinogenic mushrooms, often referred to as \"magic mushrooms,\" is not uncommon in the UK. While it is not illegal for these mushrooms to grow naturally in the wild, it is illegal to 'prepare them for consumption', which includes picking them. However, the interpretation of the law regarding possession and consumption can be complex.

In summary, consuming mushrooms in the UK requires accurate identification, adherence to regulations, safe foraging practices, proper cooking and preparation, and an understanding of the legal status of hallucinogenic varieties. Always prioritise safety and certainty when consuming mushrooms.

Frequently asked questions