Mushroom identification methods: understanding the key differences between poisonous and non-poisonous mushrooms

I. Comparison Method

The comparison method is a common method used to identify wild mushrooms. By referring to local color mushroom atlases, edible fungi and poisonous mushrooms in the area can be identified one by one, which is an effective identification method.

II. Look at the Shape

Poisonous mushrooms are usually more sticky, and there may be debris or patches on the cap, and there is often a ring on the stem. Poisonous mushrooms have a convex center of the cap, a strange shape, a thick and hard cap, a ring on the stem, a slender or thick stem, and are easy to break. Non-toxic mushrooms rarely have rings, the cap is relatively flat, the surface is smooth, there are no rings on the surface, and there is no base at the bottom.

III. Observe the Color

Poisonous mushrooms are mostly golden yellow, pink, white, black, green, jet black, purplish, etc., especially purple ones are often highly toxic. Relatively, non-toxic mushrooms are mostly coffee, light purple or gray-red.

IV. Smell the Odor

Poisonous mushrooms may have a potato or radish smell, or a strange smell, such as spicy, astringent or foul smell. Non-toxic mushrooms usually have a special fragrance, which may be bitter almond or fruity.

V. Look at the Secretions

Tear the stem of the freshly picked wild mushroom. The secretion of non-toxic mushrooms is clear like water, some are white, and the surface does not change color after being torn; while the secretion of toxic mushrooms is thick and reddish-brown, and it is easy to change color in the air after being torn.

VI. Look at the Growing Area

Edible non-toxic mushrooms mostly grow in clean grasslands or on pine and oak trees, while poisonous mushrooms often grow in dark, humid and dirty areas.

VII. Testing

When picking wild mushrooms, you can use scallions to wipe the mushroom cap. If the scallions turn bluish-brown, it proves that the mushroom may be poisonous; conversely, if it does not change color, it may be non-toxic.

VIII. Boiling Test

When boiling wild mushrooms, you can add a little bit of rush, garlic or rice to boil together. After the mushrooms are cooked, if the rush turns bluish-green or purplish-green, it may be poisonous; if it turns yellow, it may be non-toxic; if the garlic or rice changes color, it may be poisonous; if it remains the original color, it may be non-toxic. In addition, you can also add ginger. If the ginger turns black, the mushroom may be poisonous; if it does not change color, it may be non-toxic.

IX. Chemical Identification

Take the suspicious mushrooms collected or purchased, extract their juice, soak the paper, and immediately add a drop of dilute hydrochloric acid or white vinegar. If the paper turns red or blue, it may be poisonous.

There are various methods for identifying wild mushrooms, and combining multiple methods can improve accuracy. However, since there are many types of poisonous mushrooms, identification is not absolutely reliable. Therefore, if you are not sure that the mushroom is non-toxic, do not eat it. If you accidentally eat poisonous mushrooms, you should take effective measures such as inducing vomiting, gastric lavage, and diarrhea, and seek medical treatment immediately.