Important Safety Warning

Warming - some fungi are deadly poisonousSome species of fungi are DEADLY POISONOUS, and edible fungi can easily be confused with poisonous ones if specimens are not thoroughly examined. Extreme care is therefore essential when gathering wild fungi to be used as food. If you are at all uncertain, show the fungi to an expert and obtain positive identification before eating them or giving them to anyone else who might eat them.

Guidelines for identifying fungi

  1. Fungi of a particular species can vary tremendously in size, shape and colours. Before eating any edible fungi, make positive identification of several specimens.
  2. Young specimens rarely display the full range of identification features. Do not collect immature mushrooms that you cannot positively identify.
  3. Old mushrooms decay rapidly and can become infested with worms and grubs; they are best left alone.
  4. The Fungi Identification section of this website lists visual and other identification features for each species in the guide. The pictures alone are not sufficient, and it is essential to match up all of the features accurately.
  5. If a specimen that you find disagrees in even one respect with the details given here, it is best to assume that the fungus you have found is NOT the one illustrated and described on that page. If in doubt, leave them out.

Disclaimer

The content available on this Web site is for information and interest only, and we do not guarantee its accuracy or its completeness. Your use of the content for any purpose, including the identificatuion of fungi and selection of edible species, is entirely at your own risk.