Emma Wilson
Identifying mushrooms is a challenging task that requires keen observation and knowledge of various factors. While some mushrooms are easily recognisable, many others require a detailed examination of their characteristics. From the shape and colour of the cap and stem to the presence of gills, pores or teeth on the underside of the cap, each feature plays a crucial role in determining the identity of a mushroom. Additionally, factors such as the substrate it grows on, its odour, and its reaction to specific chemicals are also important considerations. Misidentifying mushrooms can have serious consequences, including fatalities, hence seeking expert guidance and hands-on experience through local mycology associations is recommended for those interested in mushroom identification.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gills | None, white, attached to the stem, or gills running down the stem (decurrent) |
| Cap | Convex, funnel-shaped, flat with a central umbo, vase-shaped, or a series of overlapping, shelf-like fruiting bodies |
| Stem | Fibrous, long and thin, smooth, equal in width throughout, with or without a ring, or no stem |
| Spore print colour | White, greenish, or cream |
| Colour | White, cream, yellow, purple, black, pink, purple-brown, brown, grey, or beige |
| Smell | Aniseed, musky, or pungent |
| Taste | Fear of tasting is common, but it is safe |
| Habitat | Grasslands, meadows, wooded areas, or on a dying maple tree |
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What You'll Learn
Spore print colour
Spore prints are an important tool for mushroom identification. The colour of the spores, when viewed en masse, is one of the best ways to determine the mycological family of the specimen. Spore prints are usually white to cream, black, or shades of red, purple, or brown. However, the poisonous false parasol (Chlorophyllum molybdites) has a green spore deposit.
To make a spore print, the first step is to collect a mushroom and remove the stem at the cap. The spore-producing surface should be placed flat on a sheet of paper or a stiff piece of plastic. The colour of the paper depends on the colour of the mushroom gills—dark paper for light gills and light paper for dark gills. If the colour is uncertain, half of the cap can be placed on dark paper and half on light. The mushroom is then covered with a bowl or container to prevent air currents from disturbing the print. After a few hours, or overnight, the mushroom is removed, and the colour of the spores can be examined.
It is important to note that spore print colour can vary depending on the thickness of the print. For example, in the genus Lactarius, thin deposits are usually white, while thick deposits are cream to yellow. Additionally, while spore print colour can help narrow down the possibilities, it is not the only tool for mushroom identification. Field guides and online research are also recommended for making a positive identification.
Creating spore prints for mushrooms with different types of fruit bodies also requires specific techniques. Boletoid and Hydnoid fungi, which produce spores within tubes and on spines, respectively, can be treated the same as gilled fungi. Cup fungi, such as Peziza species, should be placed with the fertile (inner) surface downwards. Flask fungi, like Daldinia species, throw their spores around their complex fruit bodies, so the print pattern is made close to, but not directly beneath, the fungus specimen.
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Shape and colour
Mushrooms come in a variety of shapes and colours, and these characteristics are significant in identifying the type of mushroom.
Cap and Stem Shapes
The cap and stem of a mushroom can be cylindrical, conical, or convex. The cap may be flat or have a central umbo, giving it a distinctive appearance. Some mushrooms have a separate cap and stem, while others have a cap with no stem. The cap can also vary in shape, from convex to funnel-shaped, or even vase-shaped. The underside of the cap can be smooth or have a layer of woolly scales.
Colour
The colours of mushrooms can vary, with common colours being white, cream, yellow, purple, black, pink, and purple-brown. Mushrooms with white gills typically have white spore prints, while those with greenish gills will have greenish spore prints. Mushrooms that exude a milky-white liquid when damaged can be white, beige, or brown. Oyster mushrooms, which grow on wood or debris, are typically brown, grey, white, or yellow.
Other Characteristics
In addition to shape and colour, other characteristics can aid in mushroom identification. These include the presence of gills, pores, or teeth on the underside of the cap, the texture of the stem, and the presence of a ring or partial veil. The size of the mushroom, whether it grows on the ground or on trees, and its habitat can also provide valuable clues.
It is important to note that mushroom identification can be challenging, especially for beginners. It is recommended to use multiple sources and field guides to compare the observed characteristics with those of known mushroom species.
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Smell and taste
Some general guidelines to keep in mind are that edible mushrooms typically have brown or tan gills, while mushrooms with white gills are often poisonous. Additionally, mushrooms with a ring of tissue beneath the cap, resembling a mini-cap, are often poisonous and should be avoided.
When it comes to smell, the Agaric family provides a good example of how scent can be indicative of edibility. The edible members of this family have a pleasant mushroom smell, sometimes with hints of aniseed or almond, while the toxic members have an unpleasant, chemical odour, resembling Indian ink or iodine. Another example is the Russula family, where any hot-tasting mushrooms are poisonous, and any mild-tasting ones are edible.
In some cases, the smell of a mushroom can be indicative of its taste. For instance, a mushroom with a mealy or bleach-like odour will most likely taste unpleasant. On the other hand, some mushrooms may have an appealing smell but an unappealing taste. For example, a mushroom found on a dying maple tree had a fruity smell but a very bitter taste.
While smell and taste can provide clues about a mushroom's identity, it is important to consider multiple factors when identifying mushrooms. Other characteristics to observe include the colour, size, shape, and habitat of the mushroom, as well as the appearance of its gills, caps, and stems.
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Cap and stem
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that develop a "
The gills, which are located on the underside of the cap, can vary in length, with some species having free gills that do not reach the stem. In some mushrooms, the gills are covered by a universal veil when the mushroom is in its button stage. As the mushroom grows, this veil ruptures and may leave traces such as a cup-like structure around the base of the stem or ridges on the cap. A partial veil, or cortina, may also cover the gills of an immature mushroom, extending from the edge of the cap to the stem. This veil can also break as the cap expands, leaving remnants such as a ring of tissue around the stem.
The caps of mushrooms can vary in shape and colour, ranging from bell-shaped to conical or flat, and from brown to yellow-brown, red, purple, or white. The stems of mushrooms can be thin or stout, and may or may not have a ring or partial veil. Some mushrooms, like oyster mushrooms, have a lateral or almost absent stem.
While both the cap and the stem contain psilocybin, the primary psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, there has been debate about which part is more potent. Some people believe that the caps are stronger due to their higher density and the presence of spores. However, scientific evidence suggests that the psilocybin concentration is generally evenly distributed throughout the mushroom, and the potency of a mushroom depends on factors such as strain, growing conditions, dosage, and individual response.
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Habitat
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. They can be found in a wide variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, grasslands, meadows, bogs, marshes, beaches, dunes, caves, and even on or within other organisms. Each species of mushroom has its own preferred habitat and fruiting period, though most mushrooms find the moderate conditions of spring and fall particularly conducive to growth.
Forests and Woodlands are common habitats for many mushrooms, including mycorrhizal mushrooms that form mutualistic relationships with trees, such as boletes, chanterelles, and amanitas. Wood-decomposing mushrooms, like shiitakes and polypores, are also found in these habitats, breaking down dead trees and branches. Grasslands and meadows are home to mushrooms like puffballs, waxcaps, and some agarics. Bogs and marshes provide a moist environment for certain specialized mushrooms, such as those that grow on sphagnum moss.
Decaying logs, branches, and stumps are ideal habitats for wood-decomposing mushrooms like shiitakes and turkey tails. Leaf litter is frequented by decomposer fungi like Mycena and Marasmius, while manure-loving species like certain Agaricus or Panaeolus are often found in dung. Dead roots are inhabited by root rot fungi, and standing dead trees (snags) are common habitats for fungi like the Tinder Fungus or Artist's Conk.
Urban areas, including sidewalks, lawns, and parks, can also be habitats for certain mushrooms. Agricultural areas, such as fields and gardens, may contain mushrooms associating with cultivated plants or thriving in disturbed soils. Caves are home to a few fungi that grow on bat or bird guano. Some mushrooms, like Cordyceps, parasitize insects, with fruiting bodies emerging from the consumed host.
The nutritional requirements of mushrooms play a crucial role in their habitat selection. Ectomycorrhizal mushrooms, for example, are always found in association with woody plants, especially trees. When collecting mushrooms, it is important to note the nearby woody plants as most mushrooms are selective about the trees they associate with. This information can help avoid dangerous misidentifications, as some mushrooms that grow near trees may be poisonous.
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Frequently asked questions
Identifying mushrooms is tricky and requires a lot of practice. It's important to look beyond colour and size and pay attention to details like gills, stems, caps, habitat, smell, taste, and bruising. You can also make a spore print to help with identification. If you're a beginner, it's a good idea to get a guidebook specific to your region.
Chanterelles are often recommended as a good starting point for beginners. They have distinct characteristics, like wrinkled folds called "false gills", vase-shaped orange-yellow caps, and a fruity or flowery smell. They are typically found on the ground at the edge of trails in mixed hardwood forests.
It's crucial to be cautious as some mushrooms have toxic look-alikes. For example, the Shaggy Mane resembles the "Alcohol Inky Cap", but the latter can cause severe symptoms like extreme nausea if consumed with alcohol. Most mushroom-related deaths are due to species in the Amanita genus, often from misidentification. Always verify multiple sources and characteristics before consuming any wild mushroom.
Some mushrooms exhibit unique behaviours, such as chemical reactions to certain substances or displaying microscopic features. Other characteristics to note include the presence or absence of gills, the shape and texture of the cap, the structure of the stem, bruising colour changes, habitat, and spore print colour.
