Imposters - edible fungi with toxic look-alikes

Many edible fungi have look-alikes that are inedible or even poisonous. Of these six pairs of fungi, the upper species in each case is a popular edible mushroom while below are look-alike inedible fungi some of which are deadly poisonous.

Chanterelles
Cantharellus
cibarius

False Chanterelles
Hygrophoropsis
aurantiaca

Wood Mushroom
Agaricus
silvicola

Yellow Stainer
Agaricus
xanthodermus

Wood Tuft
Kuehneromyces
mutabilis

Sulphur Tuft
Hypholoma
fasciculare

Blusher
Amanita
rubescens

Fly Agaric
Amanita
muscaria

St George's Mushroom
Calocybe
gambosa

Destroying Angels
Amanita
virosa

Morel
Morchella
esculenta

False Morel
Gyromitra
esculenta

Safety First

It is particularly difficult to identify immature mushrooms with certainty if you intend eating them. Because many identification features are not visible until the cap expands and the gills are clearly visible, only those fruitbodies that are mature or nearing maturity should be collected for food.