Australian Mushroom Guide: Identify Your Pickings

Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient packed with flavour and health benefits, and they are a favourite of Australians. However, foraging for mushrooms in Australia can be a dangerous affair. It is estimated that Australia is home to over 250,000 species of fungi, but only around 5,000 have been described, and only a tiny fraction of those have been assessed as safely edible. The Death Cap, or Amanita phalloides, is responsible for 90% of mushroom-related deaths worldwide, and has caused four deaths in Australia since 2002. Other poisonous species include Agaricus xanthodermus, Omphalotus nidiformis, Chlorophyllum brunneum, and species of Scleroderma.

Common edible mushrooms in Australia

Australia is home to over 250,000 species of fungi, but only around 5,000 have been described, and only a tiny fraction of those have been assessed as safely edible. For this reason, it's important to exercise caution when foraging for mushrooms in Australia. The Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), for example, is responsible for 90% of mushroom-related deaths worldwide, and has caused at least four deaths in Australia since 2002. Other dangerous varieties include Agaricus xanthodermus (Yellow Stainer), which has hospitalised many people in Australia, and Omphalotus nidiformis (Ghost Fungus).

Despite these dangers, foraging for edible mushrooms is a popular pastime in Australia, and there are some varieties that are generally considered safe to eat. The Saffron Milkcap (Lactarius deliciosus) is a favourite among Australian foragers, and other edible species include Birch Bolete, Wood Ear, Wood Blewit, and Lawyers Wig. These species grow in different climates and environments, so it's important to do your research before heading out to forage.

Some of the easiest edible mushroom species for novices to identify in Australia are the Saffron Milkcap, Slippery Jack (Suillus luteus), and Weeping Bolete (S. granulatus). These species grow predominantly with the roots of Pinus radiata, so foraging around pine plantations is a common practice. Another edible mushroom that can be found in pine plantations during the winter in Western Australia is Rhizopogon, which is a truffle-like fungus that grows on the top of the ground or sometimes almost buried.

In addition to these wild varieties, there are several types of cultivated mushrooms that are commonly consumed in Australia, including button mushrooms, cups, Swiss browns, Portobello, and exotic mushrooms like oyster mushrooms.

Poisonous and toxic mushrooms in Australia

Australia is home to a wide variety of wild-growing mushrooms, many of which are edible. However, some mushrooms found in Australia are poisonous and can even be deadly. The most common cause of poisoning due to ingestion in Australia is the Yellow-staining mushroom (Agaricus xanthodermus). This mushroom is similar in appearance to the field mushroom (Agaricus campestris) and the cultivated mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). It typically grows in lawns and gardens and can be identified by its cap and stem staining yellow when damaged, later fading to brown. Poisoning symptoms include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

The Death Cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) is another well-known toxic mushroom in Australia, responsible for several fatalities in Melbourne and Canberra. Consuming just one Death Cap mushroom can be fatal for an adult. It typically grows under oak trees and has a cap ranging in colour from pale yellow to green and olive brown. Symptoms of poisoning include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, typically occurring 6 to 24 hours after ingestion. These symptoms may then temporarily subside, giving a false sense of recovery, but the toxin continues to cause serious harm, particularly to the liver and kidneys. Ultimately, death can occur within 48 hours.

Other toxic mushrooms found in Australia include Galerina, Gyromitra, Lepiota, Conocybe, and Cortinarius species, some of which have similar toxins to the deadly Amanita mushrooms. Paxillus involutus is another dangerous mushroom that can cause acute sensitisation, leading to death in certain cases. Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria), easily recognised from its presence in fairy stories, will cause gastrointestinal upsets but is unlikely to cause poisoning as it is widely known to be poisonous.

It is important to note that the edibility of most Australian mushroom species is untested, and many poisonous species closely resemble safe varieties. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid consuming wild mushrooms unless you are an expert or are with an expert guide. If you suspect mushroom poisoning, do not wait for symptoms to occur and seek immediate medical attention. Contact your local poisons information centre for advice, and if necessary, proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department.

How to identify mushrooms in Australia

Australia is home to over 250,000 species of fungi, but only around 5,000 have been described, and only a tiny proportion of those have been assessed as safely edible. Therefore, it's important to treat any mushroom you find as toxic until proven otherwise. The Amanita phalloides, or Death Cap, is responsible for 90% of mushroom-related deaths worldwide, including four deaths in Australia since 2002.

To identify mushrooms in Australia, it's imperative to know the basic anatomy of fungi. You can use field guides, such as "Wild mushrooming: a guide for foragers" by Alison Pouliot and Tom May, or apps like Audubon Mushrooms and Mushrooms Pro, to help you identify species. These resources will describe the key characteristics to look out for, such as cap shape and margin type, stem shape and surface, gill type and edge, and the presence of scales, warts, or hair.

When identifying mushrooms, it's important to be cautious and take your time. Prolonged field experience is the best teacher, so be prepared to spend several years learning and building your identification skills. Start by using Australian resources to identify a species, and then look up that species in texts and on websites from around the world to learn more about it. Many of the edible species in Australia originally came from Europe, so there may be more informative material available from European sources.

Remember, even when you've identified a mushroom as edible, exercise caution. Some edible mushrooms have toxic lookalikes that can cause serious harm if consumed. Saffron Milkcaps, Weeping Boletes, and Slippery Jacks are three examples of edible mushrooms with no known close toxic doppelgangers.

Where to find mushrooms in Australia

Mushrooms are an Australian favourite, with the country producing several varieties, including button mushrooms, cups, Swiss browns, portobellos, and exotic mushrooms like oyster mushrooms. They are always in season and grown all year round. However, it is important to note that not all mushrooms are edible, and consuming the wrong variety can have severe consequences.

If you are interested in foraging for mushrooms, it is imperative to first educate yourself on the basic anatomy of fungi, as even experts can find it challenging to identify them. There are several resources available for this purpose, including online guides, books, and workshops. Some of the recommended books include "Wild Mushrooming: A Guide for Foragers" by Alison Pouliot and Tom May, and "Rainforests of Australia's East Coast". These guides can help you identify edible mushrooms, such as Saffron Milkcaps, Weeping Boletes, and Slippery Jacks, which have no close toxic lookalikes.

When foraging for mushrooms, it is important to follow a code of practice. This includes seeking permission from the property owner, bringing the right tools like a sharp knife and a small brush, and referring to guidebooks to help identify specimens. It is also crucial to treat the fungi and their environment with respect and minimise any disturbance.

Additionally, it is worth noting that some mushrooms, like Psilocybe subaeruginosa, often known as 'Golden Tops', are hallucinogenic and can be dangerous if consumed in large quantities. These mushrooms may resemble other toxic species, making it challenging to distinguish between safe and poisonous varieties. Therefore, it is always best to consider any mushroom you find as toxic until proven otherwise.

Types of mushrooms in Australia

Australia is home to over 250,000 species of fungi, but only around 5,000 have been described. Of these, only a tiny fraction have been assessed as safely edible. It is, therefore, best to consider any mushroom found in the wild as toxic unless proven otherwise. Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the Death Cap, is responsible for 90% of mushroom-related deaths worldwide and has caused four deaths in Australia since 2002. Other poisonous species in Australia include Agaricus xanthodermus (Yellow Stainer), Omphalotus nidiformis (Ghost Fungus), Chlorophyllum brunneum (Shaggy Parasol), and species of Scleroderma (Earthball).

Some of the most common edible mushroom varieties grown in Australia include buttons, cups, Swiss browns, portobellos, and exotic mushrooms like oyster and enoki. These varieties can be found in most greengrocers and supermarkets. Saffron Milkcaps, Weeping Boletes, and Slippery Jacks are also edible mushrooms found in Australia with no close toxic lookalikes.

Mushroom foraging has become increasingly popular in Australia in recent years, with various tours, identification groups, and recipes emerging. However, it is crucial to properly identify mushrooms before consuming them, as many poisonous species closely resemble safe varieties. For those interested in foraging, it is recommended to gain a solid understanding of mushroom identification and to follow practices that minimise ecological disturbance.

The climate and weather patterns in Australia have been changing drastically, impacting mushroom growth. In south-eastern Australia, edible mushrooms typically flourish in autumn and winter, but species traditionally associated with autumn are now appearing year-round. As a general rule, mushroom hunters can expect to find edible varieties when it's cool enough to require a jumper at night and the conditions are damp enough to require wiping your feet.

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