Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are a diverse group of fungi, with over 14,000 species worldwide, and only 1-2% are poisonous. However, the consequences of misidentifying a mushroom can be severe, and even deadly. While some rules help avoid poisonous mushrooms, such as avoiding those with white gills or bulbous bases, there is no standard identifier for poisonous mushrooms. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately identify individual mushrooms before consumption. Some non-poisonous mushrooms include the Giant Puffball, Beefsteak Fungus, and Chanterelles, but these also have poisonous look-alikes, such as the Jack O'Lantern mushroom. Learning about mushroom families and characteristics can help identify safe mushrooms for consumption.
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What You'll Learn
Chanterelles are non-poisonous, but similar to poisonous Jack O'Lanterns
Chanterelles are a non-poisonous variety of mushrooms. They have a fruity taste and scent, reminiscent of peaches or apricots. However, they can be confused with the poisonous Jack O'Lantern mushrooms, which are toxic to humans. Jack O'Lanterns are bright orange or pumpkin-coloured mushrooms that grow in hardwood forests, typically in large clusters on the forest floor. They grow on decaying roots, stumps, and the bases of hardwood trees.
Chanterelles and Jack O'Lanterns share some similarities in appearance, but there are a few distinguishing features. Chanterelles have folds, while Jack O'Lanterns have gills. The gills of the Jack O'Lantern end abruptly at the same spot along the stem, whereas the folds of most Chanterelles run along the stem, ending unevenly at various points. Additionally, the stem of the Jack O'Lantern is the same shade of orange as the outer flesh, while the Chanterelle is paler on the inside of the stem.
Jack O'Lantern mushrooms are also known as foxfire mushrooms or Omphalotus species. They are notable for their bioluminescent properties, emitting a soft greenish light at night. While they are toxic, causing severe gastrointestinal distress, people who have consumed them report that they taste pleasant.
It is crucial to accurately identify mushrooms before consumption, as some poisonous varieties can be deadly. Chanterelles are often recommended as a good starting point for beginner foragers, but it is important to be aware of their poisonous lookalikes, such as the Jack O'Lantern mushroom.
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Agarics are edible, but toxic lookalikes exist
Mushrooms can be nonpoisonous and safe for consumption, but it is critical to accurately identify them to avoid poisoning. Fungi are incredibly diverse, and different species can look very similar, so attention to detail is crucial even for experienced mycologists.
Some mushrooms, like the Giant Puffball, Beefsteak Fungus, Porcelain Fungus, Cauliflower Fungus, Dryads Saddle, Hedgehog Fungus, Truffle, Wood Ears, and Chicken of the Woods, are considered safe for novice foragers as they have no dangerous lookalikes. However, it is still important to learn what these mushrooms look like to forage safely.
Agarics, for example, are edible and have pink to brown/black gills, a white cap, and usually a stout stem with a skirt. However, toxic members of this family exist and look very similar. To distinguish between edible and toxic Agarics, bruise the cap. If it stains bright chrome yellow, it is likely poisonous, but if it stains pale yellow, pink, or red, it is probably edible. A further test is to smell the mushroom; edible Agarics smell pleasant, sometimes with hints of aniseed or almond, while toxic varieties smell of Indian ink, iodine, or chemicals.
Other mushroom varieties also have toxic lookalikes. For instance, Chanterelles can be confused with the poisonous Jack O'Lantern Mushroom, which causes severe gastrointestinal distress. Shaggy Mane, or Coprinus comatus, is edible but has deadly toxic lookalikes, including Amanita virosa and Amanita bisporigera.
Some general rules to avoid poisonous mushrooms include avoiding those with red anywhere on the cap, stem, or pores, and those that rapidly stain blue when cut in half vertically. Additionally, most Milkcaps, which exude a milky substance from their gills, are toxic and should be avoided unless you are an expert.
It is important to remember that taste-testing mushrooms is not a safe method to determine their edibility, as some poisonous mushrooms can kill. Always accurately identify mushrooms before consumption and, when trying a new species, consume a small amount to check for allergies or sensitivities.
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Boletes are edible, but some are poisonous
While foraging for mushrooms, it is important to be able to identify the individual mushroom and be absolutely certain of its edibility. Some poisonous mushrooms can be deadly, and even non-fatal poisonous mushrooms can cause severe gastrointestinal distress. There are some rules of thumb to avoid poisonous mushrooms, such as avoiding those with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, and a bulbous base. However, these rules are not foolproof, and the only way to be completely sure is to be able to identify the mushroom accurately.
Boletes are a type of mushroom that can be either edible or poisonous. They are typically large, fleshy mushrooms with various cap colours and thick or bulbous stems. They have sponge-like pores instead of gills under their caps and generally have stout stems. There are a few rules to identify whether a Bolete is edible or not. Firstly, if there is any red colouring on the mushroom, including the stem, pores, or cap, it is best to avoid it as this can indicate a toxic Bolete. Secondly, cut the mushroom in half vertically; if the flesh stains blue, it is poisonous. If a Bolete passes these tests, it is safe to consume.
Some edible Boletes include the Penny Bun, Boletus edulis, also known as the Cep, Porcino, or King Bolete. It is considered one of the best edible mushrooms and is prized for its taste and versatility. The fruit bodies of B. edulis can grow up to 30 cm in diameter and have a whitish pore surface when young, turning greenish-yellow with age. Another edible Bolete is the Queen Bolete (Boletus regineus), which is generally smaller than B. edulis and is typically found in mixed forests. The Spring King Bolete (Boletus rex-veris) is also edible and is found throughout western North America.
Other edible Boletes include the Bay Bolete (Boletus badius), the Dark Bolete (Boletus aereus), and the Orange Birch Bolete (Leccinum versipelle), which is one of the most nutritious fungi growing in the UK. Leccinums should be well cooked before consumption, and the Orange Birch Bolete is reported to have a better flavour if the pores are removed and the mushroom is sliced and dried. The Cracked Cap Boletus and Red-cracked Boletus (Boletus chrysenteron) are also edible and have an acidic, earthy taste when raw.
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Milkcaps are toxic, but some are edible
Mushrooms are a fun and exciting way to connect with nature, but it is important to be able to identify them correctly before consuming them. Many poisonous mushrooms bear an unfortunate resemblance to edible species, and some can be deadly. For example, the Death Cap mushroom, perhaps the deadliest of all mushrooms, closely resembles edible straw mushrooms and Caesar's mushrooms. Its heat-stable amatoxins withstand cooking temperatures and quickly damage cells throughout the body, causing severe symptoms including violent abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhoea.
Milkcaps, also known as Lactarii, are from the Lactarius family and are mushroom-forming fungi that exude a milky substance from their gills when touched or damaged. This milk can be very acrid and/or hot, and most Milkcaps are toxic. However, some varieties are edible and even tasty when cooked thoroughly, such as those in the L. deliciosus group, which are known as saffron milk caps or red pine mushrooms. These have a pleasant taste and often display zonate concentric coloration on the cap. In Europe and North America, all Lactarius are edible when thoroughly cooked, except for the green/green-brown species around Lactarius necator/atroviridis/tunipes. Even the acrid ones can be edible when cooked, although a bitter taste may remain. However, some sources advise avoiding L. vinaceorufescens, as it is listed as poisonous.
It is important to note that while cooking can render some toxic mushrooms edible, consuming mushrooms without being 100% sure of their identity can be extremely dangerous. Some poisonous mushrooms can kill, and it is important to be able to accurately name the fungus before consumption. It is recommended to learn about the different families of fungi to help with identification. There are some rules of thumb for avoiding poisonous mushrooms, such as avoiding those with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, and a bulbous or sack-like base. Additionally, some mushrooms that are safe for one individual may not be safe for another due to allergies or sensitivities. It is always recommended to try a small amount of any new mushroom species before consuming a full meal.
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UK examples of non-poisonous mushrooms
There are many different types of non-poisonous mushrooms in the UK. Here are some examples:
Giant Puffball
The Giant Puffball mushroom is easy to identify and quite safe to eat. It is typically found deep in the forest or on streambanks.
Beefsteak Fungus
The Beefsteak Fungus is another UK mushroom that is safe to consume. It often grows in grassy, sunlit meadows.
Porcelain Fungus
The Porcelain Fungus is a distinctive-looking mushroom that is non-poisonous and edible.
Cauliflower Fungus
The Cauliflower Fungus is a unique-looking mushroom that is safe to eat. It is often found in woodland areas.
Dryad's Saddle
This mushroom, also known as Pheasant's Back, is easily identifiable by its large, flat, brown caps with white fringes. It is typically found on hardwood stumps, especially oak.
Hedgehog Fungus
The Hedgehog Fungus is a non-poisonous mushroom that gets its name from its spiny, hedgehog-like appearance. It is usually found in deciduous woodland, often near beech trees.
It is important to remember that not all mushrooms are safe to eat, and proper identification is crucial before consuming any wild mushroom. Some poisonous mushrooms can closely resemble non-poisonous ones, so it is always best to be cautious and seek expert guidance if unsure.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no standard identifier for poisonous mushrooms, but there are some rules of thumb to help you decide. If the mushroom has any red on it, or if it stains blue when cut in half, it is likely poisonous. If it has white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, or a bulbous base, it is also best avoided. If you are a novice, stick to easily identifiable mushrooms with no dangerous lookalikes, such as the Giant Puffball, Beefsteak Fungus, and Chicken of the Woods.
Some of the most poisonous mushrooms include the Death Cap, Web Cap, Destroying Angel, Deadly Webcap, Autumn Skullcap, and Funeral Bell.
The symptoms of mushroom poisoning vary depending on the type of mushroom consumed. Some mushrooms cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea, while others cause symptoms similar to the flu, eventually leading to kidney failure and death if left untreated.
