How to Get Started Gathering Edible Wild Mushrooms

A lucky chance find of the bunch of shaggymane mushrooms (coprinus comatus) got me going on a whole new adventure of gathering, identifying, and devouring wild forest mushrooms within the Pacific Northwest. The attraction is comparable to deer hunting: it gets you out of trouble into nature and potentially nets a prize, however, you have fun whether you buy anything edible or otherwise. Mushrooms can't blow the feet off but some types are deadly poison, so bear in mind of the risk of eating whatever you find.

Here are several tips to keep:Try to keep your specimens separated and standing upright inside your basket. Wax paper is effective for this. A camera is your friend. Snap the small fellows within their habitat before you decide to pick them. Sometimes habitat is really a cue for later identification. Invest inside a good field guide, preferably one that's localized for the area. A notebook or PDA is extremely useful for writing down notes. Knowing anyone who's experienced with mushrooms, day them whenever possible. There is nothing like experience of this game. If you will get samples of your mushroom at different stages, it may be very helpful within the identification. Dig in the entire base of the mushroom to make sure it doesn't have a cup shaped base. Familiarize yourself using the amanita family and it is characteristics. One small bite of the amanita phalloides can drop a proper adult. Never assume it's not an amanita since they're not usually present in your area. Mushrooms spread. Note: It is mainly Asian immigrants who mistake A. phalloides to have an edible straw mushroom species indigenous to Asia. Don't rely only on pictures or colors for identifying mushrooms. Many species, both edible and deadly, manifest more color variation inside the species than between species. Do spore prints. If you choose to eat a wild mushroom, consume a very small taste from it the first time. Do not share it together with your friends or family. And if a person offers you an outrageous mushroom to eat, decline unless they're pros or if you don't have actually seen it on your own. If anyone challenges you about standing on their turf, beat a hasty retreat. Some professional gatherers could possibly get quite ugly should you interfere with their livelihood.

For more info see the lavishly illustrated mushrooming articles on Dork Chow

I am not selling anything.