Mushrooms

Anyone recognise trhese. They are in a garden border. Nearest trees are Hazel and Willow. There is no discernable scent other than mushroom. The top left one is about 4 inches across by the way.

[ 02. September 2006, 08:48 PM: Message edited by: Palustris ]

 

I'm no expert and wouldn't recommend eating any wild mushrooms but they do look something like Chanterelles

 

NO THEY ARE NOT!!!

I'm no schoolboy but I know what I like and I don't want to see you just after midnight ( well only if you guzzle them). Don't know what they are but they ain't chanterelles. Wrong habitat, wrong shape, wrong size.

 

We think they are one of the Milk caps which are definitely non edible. Lactarius sp. or some such name

 

I've got those mushrooms too! I thought they were lactarius but I didn't have a book last year when they were in season.

 

If they are they will 'bleed' latex if broken, so that's an easy test. The colour of the latex is one of the critical ident features, as is habitat. I thought Lactarius deliciosus and piperatus were supposed to be not only edible but rather - well - delicious, though I wouldn't risk my own skills on the ident, as there are plenty of similar but inedible and poisonous ones around as well.

Had some good red cracked boletes, beefsteak fungus, and wood agarics on my plate last night. Yum!!

 

Hi Palustris
Please don't eat these mushrooms - they most closely resemble Paxillus involutus - the brown roll rim, which will give you a very unpleasant time (and is a common mushroom). As Jazid says one of ident features for Lactarius is the colour of the latex when you break the cap (hence why they are called milkcaps). L. piperatus is no longer recommended for eating as the flavour is not very pleasant & it is difficult to digest - it used to be used dried as a seasoning. L deliciosus has latex that is orange and occurs under pine or spruce, and is itself much more orangey in colour (it is uncommon in England, you're more likely to come across it in Scotland). Most milkcaps have caps which bear blotches in concentric rings. There are many more Lactarius, none of which are good to eat. The Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius), as Jazid says your mushrooms are definitely not!, is usually smaller, more golden, has a distinct apricot smell, and the gills are more irregular & forked - it is delicious!
This is a really good year for fungi, I had some Bay boletus (Boletus badius) at the weekend - totally gorgeous!
It's worth going on an organised foray, if there is one near you, or getting a good guide - the Collins ones are good for starters. If you get along to any of the flower shows, the Mycology Society usually have a stand & are always helpful (They will probably be at the Harrogate Flower Show later this week). Always consult someone "in the know" before picking, & especially before thinking about eating any.
By the way, honey fungus is quite good, but must be cooked first - & make sure you are 100% certain of your ident before eating this or any fungus.
Have fun

 

Thanks folks. Actually it is not really a problem as I cannot eat any mushrooms, so far all of them give me digestion problems even the most common ones. I just like to know what grows in my garden. We have three books on identifying fungus, but none of them are really that good, a bit like the bird books. You need to know what they are before you can find out what they are!
Ta again.