What are the facts and fiction about mushroom identification?

FACT: There are no non-scientific tests or rules that can accurately determine the safety or toxicity of a mushroom. Using the following "rules" could prove to be a deadly mistake.

FICTION: A mushroom is considered poisonous if:

• The mushroom stains when bruised
• The mushroom secretes a milky sap
• The mushroom turns garlic blue or black when cooked together
• The mushroom turns a silver coin black when rubbed against it
• The mushroom tarnishes a silver spoon when cooked with it
• The mushroom has scales, warts or other types of rough surfaces

FICTION: A mushroom is considered safe if:

• The mushroom grows on wood
• Slugs or other insects eat the mushroom
• Squirrels, rabbits, or other wildlife eat the mushroom
• The mushroom is dried, boiled, salted or pickled in vinegar
• The mushroom does not have a ring or skirt on the stalk
• The mushroom is pure white in color

FACTS:

• Some people can eat mushrooms with no problems, while other people eating the same mushroom will experience severe vomiting and diarrhea.
• Some people can have allergic reactions to eating "safe" mushrooms.
• Some mushrooms are only poisonous if eaten in large quantities.
• Some mushrooms are poisonous when raw but become harmless when parboiled and thoroughly cooked.
• Some mushrooms are poisonous regardless of how they are cooked or prepared.
• Some mushrooms are poisonous only if eaten with alcoholic beverages.
• Some mushrooms are classified as poisonous because they are hallucinogenic.

MORE FACTS:

• Some mushrooms that are edible when fresh and young become poisonous when they are old, hit by frost or if they decay.
• Some mushrooms, for unknown reasons, are poisonous in one part of the country and are not poisonous in another.
• Some mushrooms that are poisonous to animals do not cause major problems in humans.
• Most mushrooms are more dangerous to young children, the aged and the very ill.
• Ideally, people and animals should never eat mushrooms that have not been identified by an expert or bought at the store. Unfortunately, many mushrooms are difficult to identify even for a trained mycologist, a biologist trained in the study of mushrooms.