Emma Wilson
Mushroom season in Victoria, Australia, typically occurs between late February and late May. During this time, the weather becomes wetter and cooler, creating the ideal conditions for mushrooms to grow. While there are many poisonous mushrooms in Victoria, such as the death cap and yellow-staining mushrooms, there are also edible varieties that can be foraged during this season, including the saffron milk cap and slippery jack. These mushrooms are often found in pine forests such as the Macedon Rangers and Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Season | Late February to late May |
| Mushroom types | Saffron Milk Cap, Slippery Jack, Death Cap, Yellow-staining mushrooms |
| Locations | Mornington Peninsula, Macedon Rangers, Mt Oberon in NSW |
| Weather | Wetter and cooler |
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What You'll Learn
Mushroom season in Victoria is between late February and late May
For those interested in mushroom picking, it is important to take necessary precautions. It is recommended to obtain mushrooms from a reputable supermarket, grocer, or market. However, if one chooses to forage for wild mushrooms, it is crucial to get advice from relevant books or experienced individuals. Additionally, keeping a sample of the mushroom and taking photographs from different angles, including the top, stem, underside, and base, can help with identification in case of any adverse reactions.
Mornington Peninsula, located in Southern Victoria, is a popular destination for mushroom foragers during the autumn months. The area's ideal climate and European Pines create prime conditions for a variety of forest fungi to flourish. Among these is the Saffron Milk Cap, which grows in association with pines and spruce. The process of preparing and cooking Saffron Milk Caps is described by some as an enjoyable experience, enhancing the overall appeal of mushroom foraging.
While mushroom foraging can be a captivating and rewarding activity, it is essential to prioritize safety. Victoria has a variety of poisonous mushrooms that can cause serious health issues. By obtaining mushrooms from reputable sources or, when foraging, taking proper precautions and seeking expert advice, individuals can minimize the risks associated with mushroom consumption.
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Saffron milk cap mushrooms grow in Victoria
Saffron milk cap mushrooms, also known as pine mushrooms, are native to Europe but have been introduced to other countries, including Australia, along with pine trees. They are one of the best-known members of the milk-cap genus Lactarius in the order Russulales. They are quite firm, meaty mushrooms with a slightly peppery flavour. They are orange-red when young, with a white-cream-coloured flesh, and can grow to the size of a dinner plate in favourable conditions. They are commonly found in Victoria, particularly in the pine forests of the Macedon Ranges and Mornington Peninsula.
The season for mushroom foraging in Victoria is typically from late February to late May. However, Saffron milk cap mushrooms are often harvested in October following the late August rains. They grow under conifers on acidic soils and have a symbiotic relationship with their host tree. In Victoria, they are especially popular among people of Eastern European and Mediterranean ancestry, who spend days in pine forests celebrating this cultural tie.
When foraging for Saffron milk cap mushrooms, it is important to look for genuine pine trees, as they are intimately tied to authentic exotic pine trees for their habitat. They are characterised by their orange-red cap with concentric circles and reddish-orange markings, a stout and hollow stalk that tapers at the base, and orange gills that bruise easily and turn green-blue. It is recommended to use a sharp knife to cut the stem low down rather than pulling the mushroom from the soil, as this can disturb the mycelium.
Saffron milk cap mushrooms are a popular ingredient in various cuisines, including Spanish, Catalan, Russian, Polish, Provençal, and Indian. They can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as frying, grilling, sautéing, or stewing, and are often served with ingredients like olive oil, garlic, parsley, butter, cream, or onions. In Russian cuisine, they are traditionally preserved by salting.
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Slippery Jack mushrooms are found in Victoria
Slippery Jack mushrooms, also known as Suillus luteus, are commonly found in Victoria, Australia, particularly in the Macedon Ranges, Mornington Peninsula, and Mt Oberon in NSW. They are typically found in pine forests or near pine trees, as they have an exclusive relationship with pine trees. Slippery Jacks are usually found in clusters, growing one on top of the other. They have a distinctive appearance, with a brown cap that becomes slimy in wet conditions, giving them their name. The fruit body cap often has a conical shape before flattening with age, reaching up to 13 cm in diameter. They are considered a delicacy and can be prepared in various dishes, such as soups, stews, and fried dishes. However, it is important to properly identify them before consumption, as there are other similar-looking mushrooms that are inedible or poisonous. The best time to find Slippery Jacks in Victoria is during mushroom season, which typically falls between late February and late May.
Suillus luteus is a bolete fungus and is the type species of the genus Suillus. It is commonly found in coastal and mountainous pine forests and exhibits a tolerance for northern latitudes. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is found in South America, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. In Australia, it is particularly prevalent in southwestern regions with high annual rainfall and has been spotted as far north as southern Queensland.
The Slippery Jack mushroom is a delicious treat, but it is important to prepare it properly before consumption. The brown sticky part of the mushroom should be removed, as it is not easily digestible. Additionally, the spore or sponge-like underside, which is off-white to dirty yellow, may also be taken off. This variety of mushroom does not dry well due to its high water content, but it is excellent for frying or cooking in stews and soups.
Foraging for Slippery Jack mushrooms can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it is crucial to do your research beforehand. Make sure you are clear about the characteristics of the mushroom you are seeking and be aware of any toxic 'look-alikes' that may be present in the same environment. It is recommended to bring a relevant book or seek advice from an experienced forager. Taking photos of the mushrooms and their growing environment can also be helpful for identification purposes.
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Death cap mushrooms are poisonous and found in Victoria
Mushroom season in Victoria is between late February and late May. However, poisonous death cap mushrooms can be found in Victoria during autumn, and sometimes winter, as the weather becomes wetter and cooler. They grow under oak trees in parks and gardens, and have been reported in many suburbs across Melbourne, including Ashburton, Burwood, Camberwell, Canterbury, Clayton, Deepdene, East Malvern, Emerald, Heathmont, Heidelberg, Kew, Sandringham, South Yarra, Surrey Hills, and Wheelers Hill. In regional Victoria, they have also been reported from Bendigo, Bright, Castlemaine, Gisborne, and Wandiligong.
Death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) are highly poisonous and can be deadly. The toxin is not inactivated by cooking, peeling, drying, or soaking, and symptoms of poisoning typically appear 6-24 hours after ingestion, with abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhoea. These symptoms may subside for a period, but eventually, there is a high mortality rate due to organ damage, particularly liver failure, and sometimes kidney failure.
If you suspect that you or anyone in your care may have eaten a poisonous mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Call the Victorian Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26 for advice. If the person who has eaten the mushroom has collapsed, stopped breathing, is having a fit, or is suffering an anaphylactic reaction, immediately call 000 for an ambulance.
The safest way to obtain mushrooms is from a reputable supermarket, grocer, or market. If you choose to forage for wild mushrooms, get advice from a relevant book or an experienced person, keep a sample of the mushroom, and take lots of photos, including where they grow and different angles of the mushroom.
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Yellow-staining mushrooms are poisonous and found in Victoria
Mushroom season in Victoria is between late February and late May. However, poisonous yellow-staining mushrooms can be found in Victoria during autumn, as the weather becomes wetter and cooler.
Yellow-staining mushrooms Agaricus xanthodermus are the most commonly eaten poisonous mushrooms in Victoria. They are similar in appearance to edible mushrooms such as the field mushroom (Agaricus campestris) and the cultivated mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). They are also similar to pine mushrooms (also known as saffron milk caps). Pine mushrooms are one of the two types of wild edible forest mushrooms found in Victoria. The other type is Slippery Jack (Boletus portentosus).
Yellow-staining mushrooms commonly grow wild in lawns and gardens in Victoria. They can grow in large troops and emit a chemical-like smell, such as disinfectant, iodine or kerosene. This smell can be stronger if the mushrooms are cooked. The cap of the mushroom is usually white but can become brown with age. The cap of young mushrooms looks a little square and ranges in colour from pale yellow to green to olive brown. The gills (ridges on the underside of the cap) are white. The base of the stem has a membranous 'cup'. When damaged, the cap and stem stain yellow, fading to a brownish colour.
If you suspect that you or anyone in your care has eaten a yellow-staining mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Contact the Victorian Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26. Symptoms of yellow-staining mushroom poisoning include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, headache, dizziness, sweating and drowsiness. The severity of symptoms varies with the amount eaten.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom season in Victoria is during autumn, from late February to late May.
Victoria is home to many types of mushrooms, including poisonous varieties such as the death cap and yellow-staining mushrooms, which can cause poisoning and even death if consumed. There are also edible varieties that grow in Victoria, including the saffron milk cap and slippery jack, which can be found in some pine forests.
Mushrooms can be found in various locations across Victoria, including the Mornington Peninsula, Macedon Ranges, and Mount Oberon. These areas provide the ideal climate and tree species, such as European Pines, that support mushroom growth.
Identifying mushrooms can be challenging, and it is essential to exercise caution as many mushrooms are toxic. Consider factors such as the mushroom's growth pattern, odour, colour, shape, size, and texture. However, the only way to be completely sure of a mushroom's identity is to examine its spores under a microscope.
If you suspect that you or someone in your care has ingested a poisonous mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Contact the Victorian Poisons Information Centre immediately at 13 11 26. Keep a sample and photograph of the mushroom to aid in identification. If the person is experiencing breathing difficulties, seizures, or anaphylaxis, call 000 for emergency medical assistance.
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