Foraging for exotics

[Excalibur]

@(you need an account to see links) I'm in LA so I think anywhere would be quite a drive (I'd also need the free time to do so).

If I wasn't in a apartment I'd want to grow my own as well since I've seen some youtube vids and it looks rather easy. I've seen some mushrooms at the park, and one was I think a puffball. It was getting bigger every visit and it was a larger than a grapefruit before some people decided to smash it to pieces. Seen some fairy circles there too.

i totally get it!! most of the time we do this while taking a vacation. its a nice hike/ seeing family in michigan. i use this sighting map maybe this is close to you? happy hunting <3

(you need an account to see links)

[Nattiee]

I study mycology for funsies on a casual level, I still barely know what I am doing, and don't eat my finds yet. Morels are different and the only exception to that for me because I've been hunting those specifically since childhood. They're the best starter example and I think it's cool you provided that example.

+ @(you need an account to see links)
What sparked your interest with mycology?

[Synth Salazzle]

+ @(you need an account to see links)
What sparked your interest with mycology?

I live in a forest, surrounded by farmlands. My main interest is agricultural entomology, but mycology is fun. There's mushrooms everywhere. I'm super into growing my own food now so if I can forage mushrooms with it? That's even more food I can store for the winter.

But I have yet to find anything actually edible in the past few years. even morels aren't showing up where they used to

[Excalibur]

+ @(you need an account to see links)
What sparked your interest with mycology?

@(you need an account to see links) Well my pops was into it and i grew up and my family who loved mushroom hunting and foraging for ramps and stuff. as i grew up i started to enjoy the out door life plus hiking so it all kind of blended together.

[Nattiee]

@(you need an account to see links) Well my pops was into it and i grew up and my family who loved mushroom hunting and foraging for ramps and stuff. as i grew up i started to enjoy the out door life plus hiking so it all kind of blended together.

That's so cool. So you'd all go out and do it kinda like a family activity. My family is boring AF in comparison lol
I actually wouldnt mind taking some of the family's kids out to try this maybe. When can we get your tips and tricks

- - - Updated - - -

I live in a forest, surrounded by farmlands. My main interest is agricultural entomology, but mycology is fun. There's mushrooms everywhere. I'm super into growing my own food now so if I can forage mushrooms with it? That's even more food I can store for the winter.

But I have yet to find anything actually edible in the past few years. even morels aren't showing up where they used to

I'm sorry you havent had much luck with edible mushrooms. What are you growing right now? Did you see those bags that grow mushrooms going around on the internet?

Please log in to view spoilers.

[Synth Salazzle]

That's so cool. So you'd all go out and do it kinda like a family activity. My family is boring AF in comparison lol
I actually wouldnt mind taking some of the family's kids out to try this maybe. When can we get your tips and tricks

- - - Updated - - -



I'm sorry you havent had much luck with edible mushrooms. What are you growing right now? Did you see those bags that grow mushrooms going around on the internet?

Please log in to view spoilers.

I don't grow mushrooms because I just don't know how yet and that's my only reason (Wildly anyway, my spores never did shit outside and probably got washed away by the rain.)
I do want to try a kit eventually I just don't have indoors room for anything even if it's small. I couldn't even get a PC just a laptop due to size restraints indoors, and I can't keep isopods either cus they'd freeze outside ;-;

[Excalibur]

That's so cool. So you'd all go out and do it kinda like a family activity. My family is boring AF in comparison lol
I actually wouldnt mind taking some of the family's kids out to try this maybe. When can we get your tips and tricks

The wilderness must be explored ! (you need an account to see links)

In all seriousness maybe thats something you can do with your family now? Start small of course! Yes i have all my photos downloaded just gotta type out the entire essay lol. I also have links and stuff so you guys can easily click and print <3

[Excalibur]

Long awaited information for first time goers. KEY THINGS TO NOTE

1. Only pick what you are comfortable picking
2. Always double check images/well informed people prior to hunting
3. Be safe and stay hydrated if going on long incursions

With that being said i will be including pictures of edible mushrooms and plants as well as links for you to take a look at !

(you need an account to see links) Morel in the wild
(you need an account to see links) Mushrooms cut in half

As you can see this is also one way of finding out if you have a real morel.

STAY away from FALSE morels as seen in this picture: (you need an account to see links)
False morels have been known to be toxic.

(you need an account to see links) Half free morel otherwise known as peckerheads (these are edible but do not taste the same as an OG morel, best to cook with morels to gain some flavor)
(you need an account to see links) Half free cut in half.

(you need an account to see links) These are puffball mushrooms. Edible but only taste like what you cook with it (butter, garlice, etc) they really have no taste and are very very large. Only eat these if theyre very large and no other color internally.
(you need an account to see links)** NOTE stay away from small death cap (Amanita phalloides) or earthball (Scleroderma species)

Death Cap: (you need an account to see links)

Pheasant back or dryads saddle:
(you need an account to see links)

These are known to taste better when they are "smaller" as they get older/larger they get harder you can still eat them just cut off the rubbery parts. Taste great with morels.

Ramps: Taste like garlic! Beware of lily of the valleys as they look the same.
(you need an account to see links)

Reference materials/ read up on links:

(you need an account to see links)
(you need an account to see links)

I also use this youtube channel as well:

[Nattiee]

I havent watched the video yet, so excuse me if this is answered there but how can you tell the difference between and edible puffball and one of those death caps? Is it what it looks like on the inside?
Are any of these toxic mushroom unsafe to touch or is it only if consumed?

[Excalibur]

I havent watched the video yet, so excuse me if this is answered there but how can you tell the difference between and edible puffball and one of those death caps? Is it what it looks like on the inside?
Are any of these toxic mushroom unsafe to touch or is it only if consumed?

if you scroll up 1 video and 2 pictures up you can see the inside of a earth ball. for the most part if you want to eat a puffball you can grab it (as long as its a large mushroom, trust me you will know if its a puffball) and cut the inside if its full on white eat it up!

as far as mushrooms go for touching, if it appears slimey i leave it, if you have cuts i would avoid touching any dangerous ones

however if fully identified (i suggest screenshotting while hunting so you can compare) put into a foraging bag and walk on along sunshine!

** i will update post and put death cap as a mushroom to stay away from