How to Recognize Edible Mushroom Species

In this busy, highly civilized world, there are few natural pleasures left to most of us. Growing or finding your own food is one of these that is increasingly scarce -- but can bring you a real sense of joy! Mushrooms are incredibly easy to both grow, using a mushroom grow kit, and also to find in the woods. Mushroom foraging is fraught with potential danger though -- today we are looking at how to separate the edible from the poisonous species, and enjoy your natural food without adverse health effects!

The Most Important Species

The most important species of mushroom to be able to identify is the Death Cap mushroom, or Amanita Phalloides. This species is responsible for 90% of all deaths from fungal poisoning worldwide, and can be found even in areas it is not native to.

A. Phalloides:

• Has an olive green to light green cap
• Has a white cap in its button stage and looks quite similar to cup mushrooms at this time
• Has a veil tissue covering the gills in immature specimens
• Has a white stalk up to 15 cm tall
• Has a large, rounded bulb at the base of the stalk. You will have to actually dig the mushroom up in most cases to find this bulb. This is a positive ID for button stage mushrooms.

Local edible species

You will likely have a plant and animal control board, or a poisons information center that relates specifically to your local area. Contact both of these for information on species found in your local area that are both poisonous and edible. Sometimes local authorities offer a mushroom identification service for a small fee, which can be very much worthwhile.

Simplest Method for Recognizing Edible Species

Unfortunately, you have to cheat a bit for this one … the simplest method is actually to grow your own! If you use a mushroom growing kit you can be sure that you are actually eating the species you think you are. You know there has been no heavy metal or toxin accumulation, and also that no pesticides or herbicide residue will be on the mushroom (providing you haven’t used any, of course).