Foraging for edible mushrooms has been practiced in cultures worldwide for centuries, but has gained considerable popularity as a hobby in recent years. Connecting with nature while sourcing local and sustainable food that offers numerous culinary applications and potential health benefits, are likely the main catalysts of this surge. Knowing exactly what you are looking for, and how to identify the difference between mushrooms that are good for you and those that can cause severe illness, or worse, is critically important. The increase of mushroom hunters in the field is accompanied by increased reports of mushroom-related poisonings. We want to take a close look at some best-practices to follow when heading out to gather your good mushrooms.
Take Photos for Record
Take pictures of what the mushroom is growing on. Make sure the photo contains the tree, debris, field, etc., and is visible along with the mushroom. Don’t worry about the mushroom appearing small in the photo. Next, get a close-up picture of the side of the mushroom that includes the cap and stem (if it is not a wood conk mushroom). Then take photos of the top and the bottom of the mushroom. Include a photo of the gills, pores, where it attaches to the growing surface, etc. These photos can be utilized by mushroom experts to help identify exactly what you found. Do not assume you know what you are harvesting unless you confirm with certainty.
Invest in Guides
While there are several great books available for mushroom identification, we believe focusing on books directly related to your region to be most beneficial; however, one’s collection would not be complete without the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Mushrooms, North America addition. The below list is not the end-all-be-all, but it contains a number of resources that have long been trusted and utilized by mushroom foraging enthusiasts.
- Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest by Steve Trudell & Joe Ammirati
- Mushrooms of the Upper Midwest (2nd edition) by Teresa Marrone & Kathy Yerich
- Mushrooms of the Midwest by Michael Kuo & Andrew S. Methven
- Mushrooms of the Northeast by Teresa Marrone & Walt Sturgeon
- Mushrooms of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada by Timothy J. Baroni
- Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast by Noah Siegel & Christian Schwarz
- Rocky Mountain Mushrooms by Habitat by Cathy L. Crimms, Vera S. Evenson, &Michael Kuo
- Mushrooms of the Southeast by Todd F. Elliott & Steven L. Stephenson
- A Field Guide to Mushrooms of the Carolinas by Alan E. Bessette, Arleen R. Bessette, & Michael W. Hopping
- Mushrooms of the Gulf Coast States by Alan E. Bessette, Arleen R. Bessette, & David P. Lewis
- Edible Wild Mushrooms of North America A Field-To-Kitchen Guide by David W. Fischer & Alan E. Bessette (for those only interested in wild edible mushrooms).
- National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms (a must have for every fungi enthusiast).
Get Connected in Your Local Mushroom Community
Join a mushroom identification Facebook group. Being part of these groups can assist in communicating with others who share a similar interest and may assist in expanding your knowledge. Finding local groups in your area can allow for greater understanding of what is available in your region while having fun interacting with others who share your mushroom interest.
Join a Local Mycological Society
Join a local Mycological Society or other mushroom organization. Some of the best people to learn from are experienced mycology enthusiasts who can mentor you and add to your fungi knowledge. Here in the Pacific Northwest you can find the Spokane Mushroom Club, The North Idaho Mycological Association, The Puget Sound Mycological Society, Snohomish County Mycological Society, Oregon Mycological Society, Willamette Valley Mycological Society, and Vancouver Mycological Society to name a few. You can research which mycological society is local to your area as a great resource and a way to get connected!
Get Outside and Get Started
Get outside! Start looking for mushrooms and you will begin seeing numerous species (please refer to our How to Forage for Mushrooms Safely article on our website). Practice your photography skills by taking the above mentioned photographs listed in step one. You will find mushrooms growing in all sorts of habitats. You might locate mushrooms at the base of a mountain surrounded by trees and plant life, or perhaps you will find them closer to a mountain peak, or in a field or near a water source. Soon, you will be able to identify several species, outside of the easier ones, such as lion’s mane and morels.
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