FIRST THINGS FIRST! If you are planning on consuming wild foraged mushrooms, you must do the following:
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Accurately identify your mushrooms. This is not a simple task of comparing photos. Evaluate your mushroom carefully, read morphological descriptions of all possible species, and be aware of the toxicity of lookalikes. Second opinions are always recommended.
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Only eat fresh mushrooms. Don't let the excitement of finding edible mushrooms overshadow the fact that you would not be buying rotten produce if you saw it at the store. If it looks, feel, or especially smells anything other than fresh, leave it in the forest. Note that frost can negatively affect the quality of fresh mushrooms as well.
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Be aware of anthropogenic chemicals. Foraging in urban areas may mean that your mushrooms have absorbed toxins from the soil, air, or treated wood. Avoid consuming mushrooms from areas that have been treated by herbicides or pesticides, near busy roads, or near dump sites.
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Thoroughly cook your mushrooms. Not only are raw mushrooms indigestible to humans, heat can eliminate harmful toxins in mushrooms making them only non-toxic when cooked. Perhaps you know this rule with morels, but it also applies to the agarics you buy at the store! It's important to note that not all toxins can be eliminated through cooking.
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When trying a mushroom for the first time:
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Only consume 2 tsp of ​your cooked mushroom to about monitor for symptoms for 24–72 hrs. It is wise to save a sample of the mushroom as well.
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Avoid alcohol. If you end up having an allergy to the species, alcohol may produce worsened symptoms. Note that certian Coprinus species should never be consumed with alcohol.
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Avoid sharing with people with susceptible to sickness. Young children, older folk, and people who simply do not want to try wild mushrooms (fear can make you sick, too!) may be more vulnerable to adverse reactions.
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RESOURCES
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Mushrooms of the Rocky Mountain Region
by Vera Evenson
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In Mushrooms of the Rocky Mountain Region, Vera Evenson describes
more than 220 species of the region’s most conspicuous, distinctive,
interesting, and ecologically important mushrooms. This comprehensive
guide features introductory chapters on the basics of mushroom structure,
life cycles, and habitats. Profiles include color photographs, keys, and
diagrams to aid in identification, and tips on how to recognize and avoid
poisonous mushrooms. Covers Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and
Wyoming, as well as adjacent areas in Montana and Idaho
The Essential Guide to Rocky Mountain Mushrooms by Habitat
By Cathy Cripps, Vera Evenson, Michael Kuo
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From grassland fairy circles to alpine nano-shrooms, the Rocky Mountain
region invites mushroom hunters to range though a mycological nirvana.
Accessible and scientifically up-to-date, The Essential Guide to Rocky
Mountain Mushrooms by Habitat is the definitive reference for uncovering
post-rain rarities and kitchen favorites alike. Dazzling full-color photos
highlight the beauty of hundreds of species. Easy-to-navigate entries offer
essential descriptions and tips for identifying mushrooms, including each
species' edibility, odor, taste, and rumored medicinal properties. The
authors organize the mushrooms according to habitat zone. This ecology-
centered approach places each species among surrounding flora and
fauna and provides a trove of fascinating insights on how these charismatic fungi interact with the greater living world.
Mushrooms of Utah
By Don Johnston
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"Edible wild mushrooms in Utah? We're too dry for that!
Don't believe it. We have some of the best mushroom crops in the world.
This series is addressed to the many individuals who are curious about
wild mushrooms, but are not necessarily interested in studying all the
mushrooms of the world. Perhaps all you want is to be able to identify a
few of the mushrooms you see all the time. All mushrooms included in this
book are native to Utah. In fact, all the photos have been taken in Utah,
generally in and around Salt Lake City. With this book, you don't have to
worry about all the hundreds of different choices, you can search for a
specific mushroom pictured and described on a page."
-Don Johnston, author & past president of MSU
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Ordering info:
The book Mushrooms of Utah is produced privately by Don Johnston (has never been published). You can contact him on his identification Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2466870620003674/ (Can Direct Message him) Or email him at dwjohnston@q.com He usually charges $20.00
Mushrooms of Utah Facebook Group
By Don Johnston
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Mushrooms of Utah is dedicated to the
amateur mushroom collector who may
wish to eat some of the mushrooms
you’ve found. Identifiers attempt to
inform participants on various aspects
of toxicity, and in some cases, will describe possible effects and let you make the choice whether or not to eat a particular mushroom. In no case will we indicate a mushroom is edible if there are any known risks to health. M of U is a place where people can openly discuss edibility of mushrooms without repercussion.
Group members will attempt to help identify any mushroom posted on this page. Bear in mind, there is no rule of thumb to tell a poisonous mushroom from an edible one. You must know the specific identity of any mushroom.
Mycology for Beginners
University of Utah Continuing Education
Taught by Katie Lawson
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Fungi are all around us playing critical roles in nearly every terrestrial ecosystem--but how much do you really know about mycology? Explore the world of fungi, including the many ways we can partner with fungi to improve our planet. We'll learn about fungal biology, ethnomycology, and oyster mushroom cultivation in the hot desert climate.
Fungi Fancy Coloring Book
By local artist & past board member,
Alison Neville
Five Star Rated-24 single sided
coloring pages-matte-cover which
can also be colored! Highly detailed
and great for meditation and relaxation.
Learn Mushroom identification the fun
way 8.5"x 11" page size.
The Divine Assembly (the mushroom church)
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"The Divine Assembly (TDA) is a community of
spiritual seekers who individually commune with
the Divine through prayer, meditation, ceremony,
and our sacrament of psilocybin mushrooms.
Assembly members support and strengthen each
other through ceremony and integration. If you’d like support or some companionship on the journey, we’re here. We hope that together we can seek the Divine and help each other better learn to respect ourselves, others, and the Divine."
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About Grow Kits:
"Growing your own mushrooms is the safest, most integrated way to worship with TDA’s sacrament. And, growing is fun and easy. If you want to try, we will provide a kit, sacrament spores, instructions, and a peer-to-peer support community."
North American Mycological Association
MSU is proud to be a NAMA-affiliated club.
MSU members receive $5 off a family membership!
The North American Mycological Association (NAMA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization of professional and amateur mycologists with over 90 affiliated mycological
societies in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
NAMA is committed and dedicated to the promotion of scientific and educational activities
related to fungi.
NAMA supports the protection of natural areas and their biological integrity.
NAMA advocates the sustainable use of mushrooms as a resource and endorses responsible mushroom collecting that does not harm the fungi or their habitats.
What NAMA Does
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Conferences — Holds an annual conference/foray in different parts of North America, often with short courses in mycology, always with lectures by professional mycologists.
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Forays — Organizes gatherings where learning and social time are encouraged.Regional
View Bylaws for the North American Mycological Association
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Newsletter — Publishes The Mycophile, which gives mycological news and reports, notices of events of interest to members, reviews of recent books, and poison information.
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Journal — Publishes McIlvainea, a peer-reviewed journal, with scientific papers on all aspects of fungi, toxicology reports, and topics of general interest – with articles by leading professional and amateur mycologists.
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Photo Contest — Conducts an annual photo contest and publishes the results.
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Educational Programs — Provides educational resources to adults and youth(K-12), which includes lesson plans, webinars, and advice on teaching mycology.
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Scholarship — NAMA funds an annual fellowship with the Mycological Society of America to promising graduate students in mycology.
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Speakers Bureau — Maintains a list of over 50 speakers who are available to give programs for affiliated clubs.
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Toxicology — Provides expertise in mushroom poisoning information on the web and through a group of identifiers for doctors and veterinarians.
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Discussion groups — Hosts a discussion group for members and can organize more specialized groups as needed.
Mushrooms Market - Mushrooms for Wellness Online Store
MSU members receive 10% off all purchases!
Mushrooms Market is a team of passionate mushroom enthusiasts who have come
together to bring you the best selection of mushroom products from a variety of brands.
Their store offers a wide range of mushroom products including mushroom gummies, mushroom capsules, mushroom powders, mushroom tinctures, mushroom drinks, and even mushroom-based pet products! We source our mushroom products from reputable growers and suppliers to ensure that our customers receive high-quality products.
