John Miller
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. They are commonly associated with death and decay, as they often grow on decomposing organic matter. This association has led to their symbolic representation in various cultures and folklore, sometimes signifying the end. However, it's important to note that mushrooms also signify life and renewal, as they play a crucial role in ecosystem maintenance and have been used ceremonially and medicinally for thousands of years. Additionally, certain types of mushrooms, known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, contain psychoactive compounds like psilocybin and psilocin, which can induce hallucinations and altered states of consciousness. While these mushrooms are mostly illegal in the US, there is ongoing research into their potential therapeutic benefits for various mental health conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Symbolism | Unlike other signifiers of death, mushrooms do not necessarily indicate an end. Instead, they insinuate a tortured continuation. |
| Folklore | Dutch folk tales, French folklore, and German folklore associate mushrooms with the Devil, witchcraft, and fairies. |
| Health Benefits | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring chemical in certain psychedelic mushrooms, is being studied for its ability to help people suffering from psychological disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. |
| Health Risks | Mushrooms can cause hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, distorted sense of time, place, and reality, and in rare cases, death. |
| Legality | Psilocybin mushrooms are mostly illegal in the United States and are classified as a Schedule I drug, but possession has been decriminalized in a few cities. |
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What You'll Learn
- Many species of mushrooms look similar, so it's important to pay attention to detail when identifying them
- The underside of a mushroom can help distinguish between edible and poisonous varieties
- The shape, size, colour, and texture of mushroom caps vary, and can be useful for identification
- Some mushrooms are toxic and can cause sickness or even death
- Mushrooms can be preserved by freezing, but this affects their texture and nutritional value
Many species of mushrooms look similar, so it's important to pay attention to detail when identifying them
One example is the Chanterelle, a popular species of mushroom known for its apricot-like scent and trumpet-like shape. While it is a sought-after edible mushroom, there is a non-edible lookalike called the False Chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca), which grows throughout North America. The primary way to distinguish between the two is by examining the underside of the cap. True Chanterelles have "folds" that look like wrinkles, while false Chanterelles have true gills, or plate-like blades.
Another example is the Shaggy Mane, an edible mushroom for experienced foragers. It has a shaggy texture on its cap and is distinguishable from its toxic look-alike, the Alcohol Ink Cap, which lacks this shaggy texture. The Alcohol Ink Cap contains "coprine", a toxic component that is highly reactive with alcohol, causing extreme nausea, headaches, and other unpleasant symptoms.
Morels are another type of mushroom with edible and toxic varieties. The true morel has a pitted cap and a smooth, hollow stem, while the false morel has a wavy and crumpled cap with a solid stem. Cutting each mushroom vertically can help reveal these important diagnostic traits.
Even within the same species, mushrooms can vary in appearance depending on factors such as their growing environment, age, and weather conditions. Therefore, it is essential to consider multiple identification methods and consult various guides or pictures when trying to identify a mushroom.
Some additional ways to identify mushrooms include examining their growing environment, such as whether they are found in grasslands or woods, and the type of trees they grow on or under. The size, shape, and texture of the stem, the presence of a ring or skirt, and any markings on it are also important details to note. The colour of the spore print can also be a helpful indicator.
Furthermore, certain mushrooms with toxic compounds may have distinctive colours, possibly serving as a warning to potential predators. However, this is not always a reliable indicator, as some toxic mushrooms may resemble their edible counterparts.
In conclusion, the vast array of mushroom species and their similar appearances underscore the importance of meticulous observation and knowledge when identifying them. By employing multiple identification methods and staying vigilant, one can better distinguish between edible and toxic varieties.
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The underside of a mushroom can help distinguish between edible and poisonous varieties
The underside of a mushroom, or the gills, can be crucial in distinguishing between edible and poisonous varieties. The gills produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface. The colour of the spores, or the spore print, is useful in classifying and identifying mushrooms. While white is the most common spore print colour, other colours include brown, black, purple-brown, pink, yellow, and creamy, but almost never blue, green, or red.
Some general rules of thumb when it comes to identifying poisonous mushrooms include avoiding those with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, and a bulbous or sack-like base called a volva. Mushrooms with red on the cap or stem are also best avoided. The Agarics family, for instance, has both edible and toxic members. Edible Agarics have pink to brown/black gills, a white cap, and a stout stem with a skirt. If you bruise the cap of an Agarics mushroom and it stains bright chrome yellow, it is likely poisonous; if it stains pale yellow, pink, or red, it is probably safe to eat. However, there is a further test to establish toxicity: smelling the mushroom. Edible Agarics smell pleasant, with hints of aniseed or almond, whereas toxic mushrooms smell of Indian ink, iodine, or chemicals.
Another example of distinguishing edible and poisonous mushrooms by their undersides is the Chanterelle and Jack O'Lantern species. Chanterelles have "folds" instead of gills, while Jack O'Lanterns have gills that glow a soft greenish light at night. The gills of the Jack O'Lantern also end abruptly at the same spot along the stem, whereas the folds of Chanterelles run along the stem, ending unevenly at various points.
Lastly, the Yellow Morel, or Morchella Americana, is a distinctive edible mushroom that fruits in early spring among hardwood trees. Its poisonous look-alike, Gyromitra spp., can be distinguished by its lack of true gills and the presence of gyromitrin, a toxic and carcinogenic chemical.
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The shape, size, colour, and texture of mushroom caps vary, and can be useful for identification
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours. The shape, size, colour, and texture of mushroom caps vary depending on the species and are useful for identification. The cap is the rounded, often umbrella-shaped top of the fruiting body. It is supported by a cylindrical stem that varies in length and thickness.
The cap surface of a mushroom is one of the most crucial attributes for identifying and classifying various species. The surface of the cap can range from smooth and unblemished to intricately textured, with a range of distinctive features that can be used to differentiate one species from another. For example, the caps of young fruiting bodies are often bulbous, while mature caps are typically flatter and more convex. The caps of some mushrooms are smooth, while others are covered in scales or teeth. Lion's mane mushrooms, for instance, are tooth fungi with "teeth" or shaggy hair-like structures that produce spores.
Colouration is another essential characteristic used to identify different mushroom species. Cap colour varies depending on the species, age of the mushroom, environmental conditions, and genetic differences between strains. Some mushrooms with unpalatable or toxic compounds have distinctive colours, perhaps serving as a warning to potential predators. For instance, white or cream-coloured caps are common, with the culinary favourite—Agaricus bisporus (the Button Mushroom)—falling into this category. Brown is also one of the most prevalent cap colours, with various shades occurring in mushroom caps.
Additionally, the underside of a mushroom can be crucial for identification. It can be the only way to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms. The underside can have gills, teeth, ridges, or pores. Gills are small, thin-walled structures that surround the mushroom's stem and are composed of two layers: lamellae and lamellulae. The characteristics of gills, such as their shape and attachment to the stem, can aid in mushroom identification.
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Some mushrooms are toxic and can cause sickness or even death
The risk of consuming toxic mushrooms is not limited to humans; pets can also become ill from eating wild mushrooms, and in some cases, it can be life-threatening. It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect mushroom poisoning and not wait for symptoms to occur. While most mushrooms are commercially farmed today, foraging for mushrooms is gaining popularity as a recreational activity. However, misidentifying a poisonous mushroom as edible can have severe consequences. For example, the death cap (Amanita phalloides) is a highly toxic mushroom that can cause liver and kidney damage and even death within 48 hours of ingestion. Other deadly mushrooms include the destroying angels (A. virosa, A. bisporigera, and A. ocreata) and the fool's mushroom (A. verna).
It is worth noting that not all mushrooms are harmful. Psilocybin mushrooms, often referred to as ""magic mushrooms" or "shrooms," have been used by humans for thousands of years for ceremonial and medicinal purposes. While they are illegal in many places due to their hallucinogenic properties, they are being studied for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating psychiatric and behavioral conditions. However, consuming large or strong batches of these mushrooms can lead to adverse effects, including hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. In rare cases, a high dose of psilocybin mushrooms can lead to psychosis or even death.
Identifying poisonous mushrooms can be challenging, and there is no simple home test. Visual cues, such as colour, and olfactory signals, such as odour, may deter some predators from consuming toxic mushrooms. However, for humans, it is crucial to have knowledge about local edible and toxic mushroom species, especially when foraging for wild mushrooms. Unless one is an expert, it is recommended to only consume mushrooms purchased from reputable sources, such as supermarkets or greengrocers.
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Mushrooms can be preserved by freezing, but this affects their texture and nutritional value
Mushrooms are a highly perishable food, so preservation methods are essential to extend their shelf life. Freezing is one of the best methods to preserve mushrooms, but it can affect their texture and nutritional value.
Mushrooms have a high water content, typically between 85% and 95%. This makes them delicate when it comes to freezing because water expands during freezing, which can damage the cell walls and lead to a mushy texture after thawing. Raw mushrooms tend to become limp and watery after thawing due to their high water content and delicate texture.
Freezing mushrooms without preparation is possible but not recommended. Blanching mushrooms before freezing helps preserve their colour, flavour, and texture better than freezing raw. This involves boiling them briefly and then cooling them rapidly in ice water. This method reduces cell damage during freezing, making the mushrooms more suitable for later cooking or eating with minimal texture loss. Sautéing mushrooms before freezing also helps retain their texture and flavour.
Freezing generally preserves most nutritional components of mushrooms quite well. Minerals remain largely unaffected by freezing processes, and amino acids and antioxidants retain most of their activity post-freeze. However, freezing can reduce the content of some water-soluble vitamins.
In conclusion, mushrooms can be preserved by freezing, but this can affect their texture and nutritional value. Proper preparation, such as blanching or sautéing before freezing, can help minimise these effects.
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Frequently asked questions
The gills underneath mushrooms, known as lamellae, are used as a means of spore dispersal. The formation of gills increases the hymenium surface area by a factor of 7.0 (lowest) in Russula citrina (Russulales) and 20.0 (highest) in Agaricus campestris (Agaricales).
Mushroom spores are similar to plant seeds and are used for reproduction. The spores are developed in a sexual reproductive structure called a basidia where they are shot off and ejected into the air.
Spores are propelled horizontally from the gill surface by a mechanism called the surface tension catapult. The spores then continue to fall vertically between the gills for a few seconds before reaching the airflow swirling underneath the cap.
