Advice and tips from Washington State University mycologist Lori Carris on safe hunting for mushrooms.
Read about morel mushrooms and Carris’s research.
Basic tips
- Learn the rules & regulations for your area
- Learn to recognize the common edible mushrooms AND poisonous mushrooms
- Eat mushrooms in moderation even when you are confident of identification
- Always cook mushrooms thoroughly before eating.
- When in doubt, throw it out.
A good guidebook is essential
A mushroom guide should be:
- Easy to use, with lots of color pictures
- Accurate & up to date
- Relevant to the area in which you are collecting
It also helps to attend mushroom classes, shows, and clubs.
Mushroom Poisoning
- Children, adults and dogs can be poisoned
- Most common poisonings are gastrointestinal problems and are not reported
- Some types of mushrooms contain enough toxins to kill
- If you suspect mushroom poisoning, contact a physician or your local poison control center
- Save a sample of the mushrooms consumed
Books and links
Trudell & Ammirati. 2009. Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press.
Arora. 1986. Mushrooms Demystified. Ten Speed Press.
Arora. 1991. All That the Rain Promises and More: A Hip Pocket Guide to Western Mushrooms. Ten Speed Press.
Michael Kuo’s MushroomExpert.com
Pacific Northwest Key Council’s Keys to Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest