Fungus identification

[Lordyosch]

I've been trying for ages to match fungi I see growing to the species listed in my Collins fungus guidebook. I've generally been spectacularly unsuccessful.

I think that I may have finally managed to match a fungus to its name and I was wondering if anyone on here could either confirm my identification or tell me I'm wrong again (Don't worry, I don't plan on eating it! just curious to find its name)

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u18/lordyosch/fungi/fungiingarden-1.jpg

I think it is Panaeolus foenisecii. It looks like the picture, is found where the book suggests...



Am I right or should I keep trying?!

Thanks

Jay

 

[chickenofthewoods]

What you have there are LBJ's (little brown jobs) probably the hardest kinds of fungi to id correctly because there are so many like that & they all look the ruddy same! But you are doing it right, because you're looking beyond the pic to where they're growing and at the other described factors which is good.

Now I don't want to put you on a downer, but I've not been terribly impressed with the Collins books to be honest. Not the pics though, which are pretty good - more the info in some of them. The Gems are useful though I admit as they're very portable but mine has notes jotted in it from better, more informed works.

However, I digress. If you really want to learn & make good id's don't stick to just one guide. Crossreference with other, more detailed (or learned) works like Roger Phillips' Mushrooms or Michael Jordan's Encyclopedia of Fungi of Britain and Europe. Both have good clear pictures but the format isn't exactly little. They're very good for research though! Also, have you used Phillips' website? That's also another good place to browse and learn, it's basically the book, but online and searchable:

http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/

These are a couple of my other bookmarks - maybe you'll find them useful too:

http://fungus.org.uk/index.htm

http://www.mykoweb.com/recipes.html

http://www.mushrooms.org.uk/default.asp

Stick with it!

 

[Lordyosch]

thanks for that chicken. I.ve used the roger's website and found it interesting, i'll x ref what i think so far with that see if i'm still right!

 

[Minamoo]

As far as the Collins guides go, I'm not too impressed with the mushroom ones either. I am no expert but I have found some errors in the one my friend has. And that was only because I was looking up the two particular mushroom species to see the photos. It listed Laetiporus sulphureus (Chicken of the woods) and Polyporus Squamosus (Dryad's saddle) as inedible/poisonous. Now I know a lot of peopl aren't fans of dryad's saddles (I personally think they're really nice when really young) but Chicken of the woods? It said it had a bitter taste and should be avoided. Not impressed. I think I shall stick to my Roger Phillips. It may be big, but it's pretty damn comprehensive and is worth carrying with you foraging as you will never find a mushroom that it won't give you some idea about what it is!

 

[carla]

i used to have a mushroom book published by octopus. it was a good one.
carla

 

[spamel]

I try to go mushrooming with the Mushroom Lady. She knows loads about 'shrooms of every sort, I don't have to carry her and she's a right good larf into the bargain!