Forage SF

Identifying the wild mushrooms that are edible, tasty & healthy


There are only a few fungus and bacteria that beneficiate the body with nutritious ingredients. Otherwise, most of them are poisonous enough to cause allergic reactions or sometimes death too. One of the widely consumed fungi in your daily food chart is mushroom. Rather than photosynthesis, it consumes nutrition by metabolizing biodegradable substances. However, all mushrooms are not edible. Most of them contain lethal poisons like such as amatoxins, mycotoxins & trichothecene mycotoxin. Never consume any random without gaining proper information about it. Some of the toxic species are identical to edible mushrooms that create confusion. This article can help you with some tips to identify whether a mushroom is edible or not.

Tips to identify edible wild mushrooms

1) Mushrooms with gills

Not all, but most of the mushroom with gills are poisonous. You will find a ring or skirt encircling the stem that signifies it as poisonous. Some wild edible oyster mushrooms also have gills and they are very tasty. However, don’t take a risk because it might be lethal.

2) The red cap is a danger

A mushroom with the red color cap is most probably poisonous. Their uppermost shell contains most of the poisonous content that your digestive system cannot metabolize.

3) Milk Caps

Some mushrooms have gills that release milk while pressing. It is hot and acidic in nature. You can easily identify it by just touching, thus, never try to co0nsume in any situation.

Consequences of eating toxic mushrooms

Toxins present in mushrooms varies on the basis of different species. The toxin of some mushrooms causes gastric problems whereas some are very dangerous. Mushrooms containing amatoxins, mycotoxins & trichothecene mycotoxin cause multiple organ failure in just 6 to 12 hours after consuming. If not treated timely, the consequences can be lethal. While foraging for food in wild, never risk your life with deadly mushrooms species.

Most poisonous species of mushrooms

1) Webcaps mushroom

The species of Webcaps mushroom contains orellanin toxin that results in symptoms of the flue at the initial stage. Its adverse impacts become apparent after a few days of consumption. The toxin gradually attacks kidney leading to its failure and finally death.

2) Death cap

This is the deadliest mushroom variety that causes death right after 6 to 12 hours of consumption. A person suffers from multiple issues like diarrhea, liver failure, kidney failure & stomach pain. In more than 50% cases, this mushroom is proven lethal.

3) Podostroma Cornu-damae

You can easily identify this mushroom because of its distinctive appearance. Rather than a round cap, it grows up with sharp tips. This mushroom is of red color and resembles like a rare edible variety called antler Ganoderma lucidum. The consequences of its consumption are skin peeling, low blood pressure, kidney failure & death.

4) Deadly Dapperling

This mushroom is commonly found in most of the Asian and European parts. The poison of deadly Dapperling results in liver failure followed by lethal consequences later.

Before going out for collecting edible wild mushrooms, gain some information regarding the geographical conditions. There is not a specific parameter to identify that a mushroom is edible or not. Therefore, never consume them before complete assurance.

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