The Ultimate "What is this Fungi?" thread.

[bigboned]

To a complete fungi novice is there a consensus on publications to start with or any particular rules to follow on distinguishing if edible or not? Similar to if an animal is brightly colored then probably poisonous

 

[Broch]

To a complete fungi novice is there a consensus on publications to start with or any particular rules to follow on distinguishing if edible or not? Similar to if an animal is brightly colored then probably poisonous

The short answer to your question is no - there are no 'general' rules and especially not 'animals/insects eat it, it should be OK' or 'if it smells like this' or is 'this or that colour' - just not that simple I'm afraid.

I have a lot of books but the two I currently use are Mushrooms, Roger Philips, published by Macmillan (the book used by mycologists) and, after recommendations on this forum, Edible Mushrooms, Geoff Dann, published by Green Books. Both have limitations and occasionally the photos don't look the same in the two books so be prepared to use other references to be 100% safe. If you stick to a few easily identified ones first then gradually extend your knowledge you should be fine.

 

[bigboned]

Thanks Broch and is as feared / suspected, I like the idea of cross referencing tho, makes sense to me. I just want to be able to identify a couple of edibles that I may find as I bimble, in a similar way as I would coming across brambles and berries. In a way to not be supermarket reliant if that makes sense rather than be a ‘master forager’
Cheers

 

[dannyk64]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could help a fungi newbie with this.

I was thinking chanterelle?

I found it in a crosican/Scots pine plantation growing underneath a rhodedendran.

Any help much appreciated!

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[Broch]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could help a fungi newbie with this.

I was thinking chanterelle?

I found it in a crosican/Scots pine plantation growing underneath a rhodedendran.

Any help much appreciated!

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

I suggest False Chanterelle as it's growing on the pine cone (it is isn't it?) it can cause hallucinations so I'd avoid.

 

[dannyk64]

I suggest False Chanterelle as it's growing on the pine cone (it is isn't it?) it can cause hallucinations so I'd avoid.

It is! I found 3 growing like this directly out of the pine cones which I thought was pretty cool.

I think I agree! After reading it seems the gills and lack of a 'fruity' smell suggest it's a false chanterelle.

Hopefully be back in the same spot next week to finish a job so I'm going to check whether the stem is hollow or not.

Thanks for the advice, appreciate the help

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[Geoff Dann]

To a complete fungi novice is there a consensus on publications to start with or any particular rules to follow on distinguishing if edible or not? Similar to if an animal is brightly colored then probably poisonous

If it is foraging you're interested in, then my book is by far the most comprehensive published in the UK (see reviews):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edible-Mushrooms-Foragers-Britain-Europe/dp/0857843974

Signed copies available direct from the author...

 

[Geoff Dann]

I suggest False Chanterelle as it's growing on the pine cone (it is isn't it?) it can cause hallucinations so I'd avoid.

That's a mistake in Phillips. There are no records of it actually causing hallucinations, just mild stomach upsets.

 

[Broch]

That's a mistake in Phillips. There are no records of it actually causing hallucinations, just mild stomach upsets.

Yes, I've since read elsewhere that it is often quoted but without proof and doubted by many. Not an easy subject is it?

 

[Nice65]

These? On long slender stalks like the Parasols.

I must get a copy of your book Geoff.

 

[Geoff Dann]

These? On long slender stalks like the Parasols.

I must get a copy of your book Geoff.

Stalks much thinner than parasols. Those are rooting shanks.

 

[Bionic]

I’m after the collective expertise on here for some advice. We’ve had these pop up through the gravel in the yard at work. I think they’re probably common earthball but they don’t seem to exactly match the images I’ve found (if you can’t tell I’m very much a novice when it comes to fungi ID). I’m fairly certain they’re inedible but I’m interested to know what they are

 

[Geoff Dann]

Looks like the rather rare https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisolithus_arhizus

 

[Bionic]

I thought that was a possibility when I first found them but again they don’t quite seem to match the images I’ve found. In addition I get the impression dyeball are a tad rare but some years we get masses of these locally.

 

[Robbi]

whats this lot then ? all taken on a recent walk.

 

[Woody girl]

Last one looks like honey fungus. But don't quote me

 

[Woody girl]

First one is probably spiny puffball. Found in deciduous woodland mostly below beech. Latin name lycoperdon echinatum acording to my book

 

[Woody girl]

I’m after the collective expertise on here for some advice. We’ve had these pop up through the gravel in the yard at work. I think they’re probably common earthball but they don’t seem to exactly match the images I’ve found (if you can’t tell I’m very much a novice when it comes to fungi ID). I’m fairly certain they’re inedible but I’m interested to know what they are
View attachment 50690 View attachment 50691 View attachment 50692 View attachment 50693 View attachment 50694

 

[Woody girl]

This could be a stratus hygrometricus. Puffball family. Astratus=star do they seem to open out with star like "legs"when wet. It does say rare north of the alps in my book.

 

[Robbi]

First one is probably spiny puffball. Found in deciduous woodland mostly below beech. Latin name lycoperdon echinatum acording to my book

I thought it may have been a Shaggy Parasol