Wild Mushrooms

Picked these this morning, I think they are edible, but, can anyone else confirm before I make an omlette for brunch.....



http://www.wildmushroomsonline.co.uk/Identifying-Edible-Mushrooms-The-Field-Mushroom/index.php This site looks good

 

I was told that you just need to learn which ones are poisonous (of which there are very few in UK) - rather than learning which are edible (of which there are loads!)

But I've never done the studying I'm afraid.

 

They are totally edible - just a great picking of field mushrooms.
Enjoy, you lucky blighter,
Jenny
ps - don't tell anyone where you found them

 

Please, please, if you have to ask then that means there is an element of doubt, and given the toxicity of some of our VERY COMMON wild mushrooms, and their similar appearance to edible ones, my dad's old saying is surely very relevant.

"If in doubt, chuck it out".

Having said that. maybe now its worth looking up how to identify Death Cap, which in one stage of its life cycle looks very much like the edible field mushrooms you can buy in the supermarkets.

http://www.wikihow.com/Identify-a-Death-Cap-Mushroom

Except that one will kill you dead with no antidote within a week of eat quarter of a cap.

 

Could I draw attention to this thread.

http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/threads/important-notice-please-read.34649/

They certainly look like Agaricus Bisporus, but i'd do a spore print (preferably aided by a microscope) and cut the stems to check for yellow staining.

 

As a member of a tribe of hunters, gatheres and superior new technology inventors, I strongly agree- if you are not 100% sure that the mushroom is fully edible, don't eat it.

Mushroom toxins can be serious trouble even in tiny amounts. Many mushrooms are difficult to identify as the young and old forms look different, the shape can vary according to growing conditions, and you might easily come across a rare species or even a new one.

Mushrooms have my full respect

Here's another good link: http://www.wildfooduk.com/mushroom-guides/

And here the best mushroom on the planet- fashionable porcini, eat my shorts:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanterelle

 

As this thread has come back, update I ate all the mushrooms I picked over about a week, approx 2 kilos and I am still here..

 

I found these today. I am 99% sure they are field mushrooms.

 

Field mushrooms tend to be where livestock have been ie cows horse etc. I found the ones above all pretty much in the same area. Close to the tree line but in the sun but not too much sun. To identify best pink gills when young turning brown later, then a very fine collar about 2/3 rds of the way up. The gills have to be concave to the stem and they always bruise a pinky brown colour, yellow is a no go.

 

Many of the amanitas grow in land rich in livestock poo.

 

It's the 1% that could kill you.

Have you cross referenced them against all the possible toxic agarics and done a spore print?

As stated in the disclaimer, Gardeners Corner cannot accept any responsibility for poisoning or death due to fungus being mis identified on the forum.

Eating something last week and still being alive is no guarantee either, some cortinarius mushrooms can kill you 17 days later.

A lot of the older mushroom guides still list cortinarius as being edible. Always check up to date information.

Best thing is to join a local foraging group, with an experienced guide.

Remember, there are bold mushroom pickers and there are old mushroom pickers, but there are very few old, bold mushroom pickers

 

Just as ONE example of the risk from ONE common species that has been known to be mis-identified, check out this:

http://www.digitalpathology.uct.ac.za/topics/harmful_substances/poisonous_fungi.html

Amanita Phalloides, aka Death Cap, grows on land rich in animal poo. I believe (but am not certain) that it grows on my land.

I am certain of one thing though. 99% sure is not enough for me when the 1% doubt could mean certain death for myself and my family.