Edible Wood Farm Journal: 2025(10)
“Which one is it? The photo in this book (or app) doesn’t quite match up with this mushroom!” Often heard questions with a touch of frustration. Actually, identifying the mushroom on the basis of its appearance is just one of the characteristics that is needed to reach a right conclusion. Here are a few tips…
1) Be aware of the season: mushrooms can be found almost year round but each sort has its preference.
2) Check the surroundings: is the mushroom in a deciduous or coniferous forest, in a meadow, in the garden etc….
3) What is it growing on?
a) on the ground close to a tree – it is probably a mycorrhizal fungi (works together with the tree and is attached to the roots)
b) on a twig, branch or fallen tree – it is a saprophyte (breaks down dead material)
c) on a living tree – it is probably a parasitic fungus (hostile absorption of the tree’s nutrients often causing sickness or death)
4) Appearance: the list of possibilities should now be much shorter with more chance of identification success!
