How To Identify Wild Mushrooms 🍄

Mushroom Identification for beginners
#fungi #ediblemushrooms #poisonousmushrooms #foraging
This video shows my general checklist that I use when identifying a mushroom for the first time.

Amazon affiliate links-

These are some of the mushroom identification books I use:

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Mushroom Identification Checklist-

Mushroom name (Binomial)

LOCATION-
grassland or woodland species? does it grow with any specific trees/ hosts?

TIME OF YEAR-
what season(s) is it most likely to be found?

FORM-
what shape is the mushroom? a typical cap and stem shape? spherical/ bracket/ club etc?

GROWTH PATTERN-
is the mushroom growing singularly or in a group/ cluster?
is it growing as part of a ring or troop?

CAP-
what shape is the cap? funnel/ convex/ concave/ domed etc.
is there a central depression?
does the mushroom have an umbo?
what does the cap measure across?
what colour is the cap? does it have zonal colouring, is it darker in the centre?
is there anything else of note on the cap? scales etc

HYMENOPHORE-
does the mushroom have gills, pores or spines?
if gills, are they crowded or distant?
what colour are the gills/pores?
do the gills/pores change colour after bruising?
are the gills flexible or brittle?/
are the gills attched to the stem (adnate)? are they not attached to the stem (free)? are they running down the stem (decurrent)?

STEM/ STIPE-
is the stem narrow or thick?
is the stem flexible or brittle?
does the stem taper?
does the stem have a ring or skirt?
length of the stem?
what is the colour of the stem?
are there any patterns/ markings/ reticulations on the stem?
check the base of the mushroom- does it have a bulbous base?
does it have a volva? (IMPORTANT for Death Caps and other Amanitas)

FLESH-
what colour is the flesh?
does it change colour after reacting to air?
is the flesh firm or soft?
what does it smell like?

SPORE PRINT-
what colour are the spores?

TOXIC LOOKALIKES-
does the mushroom have toxic lookalikes?
am I 100% sure of my identification if foraging?
have i checked several mushroom?

WHAT ARE THE KEY IDENTIFIERS FOR THIS SPECIES?

DOES THE MUSHROOM COME WITH ANY WARNINGS?
ie. mushroom needs to be cooked before consumption,
or do not consume with alcohol.

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00:00 Intro- Mushroom Checklist
00:34 Location
00:59 Time of Year
01:38 Form
02:03 Growth Pattern
02:34 Cap
03:31 Hymenophore- gills, pores or spines?
05:15 Stem/ Stipe
07:10 Flesh
07:44 Spore Print
08:21 Poisonous Lookalikes
09:17 Mushroom Checklist Example- Parasol Mushroom

[blckanglangl-whue]

What a great video, thanks for sharing i apreciate it so soo sooo much ...i love foraging but mushrooms are frigtening they can be very danderous usually i take only what im sure its good or what i had before ...i learned a couple mushrooms from my grandma we used to go on fields and in the forest for mushroom hunting never had an issue with what she showed me

[WildwoodTV]

Good to see a clear explanation - thank you! 20👍off to hunt porcini later (often found with Fly agaric). If foraging to eat (after the 100% ID process) check location hasn't been sprayed & only try a little as some folk are allergic.

[keritingaslialami]

Excellent video, very much appreciated 👍 Thank you. Looking forward to checking out last year's location for the Penny Bun this weekend. Hopefully, will find some👍

[guitarnotator]

Thank you for this video. I just harvested about a kg of hedgehog mushrooms the other day. They go great in an omlette.

[eMavern_Emporium]

I always love your videos. You come to me know when you explain things makes this something very fascinating and approachable.

[moocow]

Thank you. You absolutely killed it with that detailed checklist. So hard trying to find a good guide to follow on a proper checklist

[rowanroseyoung]

Perfect timing! Going in ny first official mushroom course today to further my knowledge and gain some new fungi friends 😊 had some delicious common puffball and shaggy parasol on toast the other day ❤

[natureisallpowerful]

Hey mate I found my first hen of the woods the other day there was 3 massive ones under an oak tree. I took a small amount unfortunately I forgot about the frying pan as someone was at the door and burnt them😢

[coolersmoke]

Hi Lewis, another great vid - and useful! Thank you :)

[anthonymuir]

Amazing information as usual. Good work your knowledge is a great thing. Thanks for sharing

[aashibaphana]

Taking this video as inspiration for my next artwork 🤩🤩

[magpiestudent]

Just getting into fungus identification. Not brave enough to forage yet but just enjoying spotting and finding out about different types. So far have found Shaggy inkcap, Wood Ear, St George's mushroom, Turkey Tail and Dryad's Saddle.

[ericsplace]

Great video with great information! Thank You for sharing, GOD BLESS.

[pippajennings]

Thanks to your vids I was able to advise some friends today out on a walk at RSPB strumshaw fen, not to try and eat the earth balls!!! Love your videos and thank you so much

[hikesaroundkyoto]

Interesting lecture video. Thank you for sharing.

[trangmy_tmn]

9 Aug 2024
Related: [Listening] Cambridge 18 - Test 3 - Part 2
1:19 So with just these TWO BITS OF information ...
1:39 a CAP and a STEM
5:17 stem: narrow or thick

[lindab]

Great info. Thankyou. I will take this checklist out with me always.

[janakain]

One of the best informative videos thanks👍 for resources as well

May I? I'd eat a little, wait for 24 hours (and to check spores colour) and then eat the lot.

I used tough stems for home made stock before (as haven't bought stock cubes for years, I learnt to boil leftover veg peelings- onion garlic root veg, anyveg, freeze or dry if can, to gather enough, then use these to boil twice - it works well). Then compost remains back in nature.
Good day

[QwinnieLu]

Great video. A physical checklist would probably be very useful rather than relying on my patchy memory in helping to remember identifying features 🤔🍄

[craiglister]

Great video but please tell us what we can and can’t eat thanks