Emma Wilson
Mushroom hunting is a popular activity in Maryland, with the state being home to thousands of different types of mushrooms. The springtime months of April and May are the best time to find the highly sought-after morel mushroom, which tends to grow in wooded areas. However, it is important to be able to distinguish between the edible morel and the poisonous false morel, as well as other toxic varieties, before consuming any wild mushrooms. Other common mushrooms found in Maryland include the chanterelle, honey mushroom, and common puffball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of mushrooms | Morels, Chanterelles, Honey Mushrooms, Mica Cap, Common Puffballs, Turkey-tail, Lion's Mane, Earthstars, Birds Nest Fungi |
| Mushroom characteristics | Distinctive honeycomb-like ridges, bell-shaped caps, bright white coloring, stacked pattern, multicolored caps |
| Mushroom hunting season | April to May, with sightings from early April to mid-May |
| Mushroom hunting tips | Use a map, compass, and phone with GPS tracking; bring mace or pepper spray; avoid picking every mushroom |
| Edibility | Some mushrooms are edible, while others are toxic or poisonous; always consult an expert before consuming |
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What You'll Learn
Morel mushrooms: when to find them
Morel mushrooms are among the most desired wild mushrooms worldwide. They are distinctive-looking, with narrow caps as deeply pitted as a honeycomb, and are usually black or yellow. They are often found in the woods, as they are more closely related to truffles than other mushrooms. They are highly prized, selling commercially for around $30 a pound.
In Maryland, morel mushrooms are typically found in April and May, with some reports of sightings as early as February. The timing of the morel mushroom season is heavily influenced by weather patterns. An early start to warm spring temperatures can cause morels to start popping out of the ground. Morel hunters in Maryland reported sightings as early as April 6 or 7, with some finding them as late as April 11.
It is important to be able to distinguish between edible morels and poisonous false morels, as consuming the wrong variety can lead to illness or even death. Additionally, it is recommended to leave some morels behind to allow for spore propagation and ensure a continued supply for future foraging.
To aid in the hunt for morel mushrooms, resources such as The Great Morel provide an interactive sightings map. This map collects morel mushroom sightings by state, city, and ZIP code, as well as the date found. When venturing into the woods to hunt for morels, it is advisable to bring a map, a compass, a phone with GPS tracking, and perhaps even some mace or pepper spray for unexpected encounters with wildlife.
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How to identify edible mushrooms
Mushroom hunting is a popular activity in Maryland, with the state's varied landscape providing a diverse range of fungi to discover. While it can be tempting to pick and eat wild mushrooms, it is essential to exercise caution. Mushroom identification can be challenging, and consuming the wrong variety can have serious consequences. Here are some guidelines to help you identify edible mushrooms safely:
Understand the Risks
Mushrooms are fascinating organisms, but they can also be dangerous. Most mushrooms are non-poisonous, but there are a few deadly varieties. Even a small bite of certain mushrooms can lead to severe illness or worse. Therefore, it is crucial to identify mushrooms with absolute certainty before consuming them.
Consult Expert Sources
When it comes to mushroom identification, it is best to seek guidance from knowledgeable sources. Consider purchasing a mushroom field guide specific to your region, as this can help you become familiar with the common edible and poisonous varieties in your area. Additionally, online forums and Facebook groups dedicated to mycology often provide valuable information and expert advice. Joining local mycological societies or taking identification classes can also enhance your knowledge and skills in mushroom identification.
Distinguish Key Characteristics
Edible mushrooms typically possess certain characteristics that can help you identify them. Generally, they have brown or tan gills, while mushrooms with white gills are often toxic. Choose mushrooms with tan, brown, or white caps and stems, avoiding those with red hues. Edible varieties usually lack scales on the cap or a ring around the stem. However, it is important to remember that no single trait will tell you if a mushroom is poisonous, and even similar-looking mushrooms can have different levels of toxicity.
Practice Safe Foraging
When foraging for mushrooms, always carry two baskets. Use one basket for mushrooms you are confident are edible and the other for those you are unsure about. Do not consume any mushrooms from the "unsure" basket without having them identified by an expert. Additionally, it is recommended to take a friend with you when foraging and carry a map, a compass, and a phone with GPS tracking. Be cautious when sharing information about prime foraging spots, as seasoned foragers can be secretive about their favourite locations.
Know the Varieties
In Maryland, morel mushrooms are a highly prized delicacy. They typically appear in April and May and can be identified by their narrow, deeply pitted caps, resembling a honeycomb. However, they have toxic look-alikes called false morels, which can cause illness or even be fatal. Chanterelles are another easily recognisable group due to their distinctive trumpet shape with ridges. Maryland is home to several chanterelle species, including the Red Chanterelle, Smooth Chanterelle, and Small Chanterelle. Honey mushrooms are also considered edible, but they can be toxic to a small number of people, so they are no longer recommended for consumption by some authorities. Maryland has two species: the Bulbous Honey Mushroom and the Honey Mushroom, both brownish in colour.
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Common poisonous mushrooms
In Maryland, morel mushrooms are considered a delicacy and can be found in the woods in April and May. However, there are poisonous false morels that can make you very sick or even kill you. These false morels are toxic lookalikes of the edible variety. True morels (Morchella) are often confused with false morels (Gyromitra Esculenta). The danger of the false morel is the chemicals (gyromitrin) they contain, which the body converts to Monomethylhydrazine (MMH). MMH interferes with the body’s ability to produce certain chemical signals in the brain, leading to weakness, tiredness, incoordination, confusion, coma, and seizures. In addition, there can be nausea, vomiting, and damage to the liver and kidneys.
Chanterelle mushrooms are another commonly found variety in Maryland. They are identified by their yellow or orange colour and the ridges on the undersides of their caps, instead of gills. However, they have a poisonous lookalike called the jack-o-lantern (Omphalotus illudens) or false chanterelle. Eating these will not kill you but will cause vomiting and diarrhea for several days.
Meadow mushrooms (Agaricus campestris) are edible mushrooms often found in fairy rings in pastures, garden lawns, and compost piles. However, they have a dangerous doppelgänger, the destroying angel (Amanita bisporigera). These mushrooms are very toxic and cause liver damage and can even be fatal.
Honey mushrooms are another variety considered edible, but they are toxic to a small minority of people who eat them. Maryland has two species: the Bulbous Honey Mushroom (A. gallica) and the Honey Mushroom (A. mellea).
It is important to be able to identify mushrooms correctly before consuming them. Many mushrooms are not poisonous and some are edible, but a few edible species have poisonous lookalikes. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the wild mushrooms in your area before attempting to eat them.
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Mushrooms to avoid
Mushroom hunting is a wonderful hobby, but it must be done with caution and proper knowledge to avoid dangerous mistakes. There is no simple way to tell if a wild mushroom is poisonous, so it is important to identify it and learn about it before consuming it. Here are some mushrooms to avoid when foraging in Maryland:
False Morels (Gyromitra esculenta)
Morels are a highly sought-after edible spring mushroom in North America. However, there are "false morels," which are poisonous look-alikes. False morels contain the chemical gyromitrin, which the body converts to Monomethylhydrazine (MMH). MMH interferes with the body's ability to produce certain chemical signals in the brain, leading to weakness, tiredness, incoordination, confusion, coma, and seizures. Nausea, vomiting, and damage to the liver and kidneys may also occur.
Jack-o-Lantern Mushrooms
Jack-o-Lantern mushrooms are often mistaken for chanterelles, a safe and edible mushroom. Consuming jack-o-lantern mushrooms will result in a few days of vomiting and diarrhea.
Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera)
The Destroying Angel is a dangerous doppelganger to the edible meadow mushroom. They look similar, grow in the same habitats, and are very common. Destroying Angel mushrooms cause liver damage and can be deadly.
Death Cap (Amanita phalloides)
Death Cap mushrooms are toxic and resemble several edible species, including Caesar's mushroom and the straw mushroom. Amatoxins, the class of toxins found in these mushrooms, are thermostable, meaning their toxic effects are not reduced by cooking. Death Cap mushrooms have been linked to fatal poisonings throughout history, including the suspected cause of the War of the Austrian Succession.
Honey Mushrooms
While Honey Mushrooms are considered a prized edible, they are toxic to a small minority of people who consume them. There is no way to know who will react badly, so some authorities no longer consider them edible. Maryland is home to two species of Honey Mushrooms: the Bulbous Honey Mushroom (A. gallica) and the Honey Mushroom (A. mellea).
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Best places to find mushrooms
The best places to find mushrooms in Maryland will depend on the type of mushroom you are looking for, the time of year, and the specific conditions required for that mushroom to grow. Maryland's landscape features coastal plains, rolling hills, and wooded areas, providing an ideal environment for mushroom growth. Here are some tips on where to find mushrooms in the state:
Morel Mushrooms:
Morel mushrooms are one of the delicacies of spring in Maryland. They typically grow in wooded areas and can be found from April to May. Keep in mind that there is only a small window of opportunity to find morels as the temperatures warm up. You can use resources like The Great Morel's interactive morel sightings map to help you pinpoint potential locations.
Chanterelle Mushrooms:
Chanterelle mushrooms have distinctive trumpet shapes with ridges instead of gills. Maryland is home to several chanterelle species, including the Red Chanterelle, Smooth Chanterelle, and Small Chanterelle. To find chanterelles, look for diverse forest areas with a variety of tree species, as Maryland's varied forests create favourable conditions for these mushrooms.
Sulphur Tuft Mushrooms:
Sulphur Tuft Mushrooms can be found in deciduous forests, often growing on fallen logs, tree stumps, and buried roots. They are hardy and can thrive in many environments, even places where other mushrooms won't grow. However, it's important to note that Sulphur Tufts are poisonous to humans, so avoid handling or consuming them.
Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms:
Chicken of the Woods mushrooms are edible and can be found in Maryland. While it's best to purchase them from expert foragers, you may also come across them in your explorations. Just be cautious, as they can be confused with poisonous varieties like Laetiporus huroniensis.
Honey Mushrooms:
Honey Mushrooms are considered a prized edible, but they are toxic to a small minority of people. Maryland is home to two species: the Bulbous Honey Mushroom (A. gallica), which has a swollen stem base, and the Honey Mushroom (A. mellea). Look for them in forested areas with a mix of tree species.
Remember, it's important to properly identify mushrooms before consuming them, as some varieties can be poisonous. Always practice safe foraging practices and be respectful of the environment while mushroom hunting.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom hunting season in Maryland is typically between April and May.
There are thousands of different types of mushrooms in Maryland. Some common types include mica cap, common puffball, turkey tail, morels, and chanterelles.
Yes, there are many poisonous mushrooms in Maryland, such as the false morel and the jack o'lantern. Never eat a mushroom you find in the wild unless you are with a mushroom expert.
Mushrooms grow everywhere in Maryland except in the Chesapeake Bay. They can be found in forests, yards, gardens, roadsides, and forest clearings.
Mushrooms come in various shapes, sizes, and colours. Familiarize yourself with the common types of mushrooms found in Maryland and how to identify them. Look for distinctive features such as shape, size, colour, and the presence of gills or ridges.
