How can you tell which mushrooms are edible that grow wild?

Question

I know not to touch spotty ones, and I know not to touch those whacky gold caps, but what about the ones that look relatively innocent, similar to the ones you buy from the supermarket except larger. Is there any sure way to know if they can be eaten?

Answer 1

Much experience and having good field guides. I have two photographic field guides, just to see slightly different color plates of the same variety. That, and my dad took me out as a child to teach me the most common safe varieties.

If you invest in one (I recommend two) good field guide, you will discover that there are several delicious, SAFE, edible mushrooms that are easily identified and do not appear similar to toxic ones.

Answer 2

Hi,
Here you can find a nice step by step guide on how to grow mushrooms at home http://www.goobypls.com/r/rd.asp?gid=573

If you always liked mushrooms, mushroom growing is a great way to assure your family of a regular supply of this excellent food. Many people think that growing mushrooms takes some special kind of skill, or at least extremely specialized growing conditions. But this is absolutely not true. In reality, mushrooms are as easy to grow as anything else, and can be a good deal easier to grow than many kinds of food.
I hope it helps

Answer 3

Unless you are well versed in the identification of mushrooms, do not try to identify any species of mushroom or be eating any of them. Eat one wrong mushroom and, up to 2 weeks later symptoms develop, and the only chance of saving your life is a liver or kidney transplant. A mushroom should never be eaten unless you are 100% sure in its identification. Even experienced mushroom gatherers have made errors. I know what they look like, but it's been awhile so I guess I dunno anynmore. Ask a good drug dealer, they always seem to know!

Answer 4

Buy or borrow a library book about mushroom identification. The first thing you will learn is to positively identify the poisonous/dangerous ones, then the edibles. There are many edible and choice mushrooms that are easy to identify.

Answer 5

I grew up "mushroom hunting" every spring. You can find some amazingly tasty mushrooms in the springtime. Check out this website to find out what to look for in wild mushrooms. Morels are by far the very best... back home, a lb. of fresh-picked morels can fetch upwards of $200. three years ago in a matter of about 4 hours of "hunting" my brothers and I found over 12 lbs. of morels. We ate over half of that in about a week, and sold the rest to a local farmers market!
This website has a lot of good information and message boards for your part of the country.


http://www.morels.com/

Answer 6

the ones that LOOK like they came from the market are most likely NOT 'shrooms.Wild ones are often shaped like little pine trees,about 1-5 inches tall.brown,white or yellow in color.These morels or "dog peckers"as often called,are best identifeid with a good field guide,or better yet find an ol' 'shroom hunter in your area for some help.IF YOUR NOT SURE,DON'T EAT IT!!!!

Answer 7

well there is one way - that is the way the ancients told what was poisionious- eat a little and see if it effects you. or feed it to an animal and see what happens.

sorry about the animal tease.. my blue

seriously why dont you google mushroom varieties?

not just a pretty face you know....

Answer 8

I used to pick them
They were pink underneath
But I have since found out there is one that looks much the same & is dangerous
So I wont take the risk anymore
& unless you have an expert to show you
I wouldn't pick them neither

Answer 9

try googleing mushrooms.

Answer 10

If you get sick or die, you should NOT have eaten it!