With the ever increasing interest in the countryside, the desire to know more about plants and their habitats is growing. More people want to know about the fungi they see in the woods and pastures and want to be able to identify them. We have broadened our interest in unusual foods due to the many varied cuisines available. This has stimulated our wish to try some of the fungi regarded as delicacies in other countries. There is, however, such a fear of the poisonous fungi that many are reluctant to eat anything but the cultivated mushrooms available in our shops.

Coconut scented milk cap
Lactarius glyciosmus

Web cap
Cortinarius family

There is unfortunately no simple way to distinguish an edible from a poisonous fungus. The only safe way is to become familiar by the look, texture, smell etc. as to be able to recognise them with absolute certainty.

Identification will be discussed but presents difficulties as they are erratic in their development, the places where are found (depends largely on the weather) and their appearance which changes as they develop. Many are fragile and decompose rapidly so must be examined soon after collecting. Most of the larger fungi that a beginner is likely to find can usually be identified, at least in a broad sense, by characters that can be seen with the naked eye or with the use of x10 lens.

I am no expert in the study of fungi and this site is a taster for anyone that wants to delve into the field of Mycology. I would strenuously point out that you should get in touch with a local Mycologist group if you wish to collect fungi for consumption as wrong identification could result in serious poisoning or death.