Purdue Extension Says It's Time For Mushroom Hunting

Last updated on Friday, April 13, 2018

(UNDATED) - Maybe you’ve seen the memes about mushroom hunting as the adult version of an Easter egg hunt but if you’ve ever been after these, sometimes elusive fungi, than you might find it more than just a free for all and more like a test of patience and endurance.

Kenneth Eck an Educator of Agricultural and Natural Resources for Purdue Extension in Dubois County says there are over 2,000 kinds of wild mushrooms in the Midwest and while some are poisonous others are edible and delicious when properly prepared.

Purdue Extension says that even though not everyone is interested in collecting mushrooms to eat, it is important to understand most have an important and beneficial role in the environment. Growing in a wide variety of habitats.

The season for collecting wild mushrooms for food begins in late March and early April when the first morels or sponge mushrooms are found. These choice edible mushrooms are most abundant during April and the first two weeks of May.

Be on the lookout though as it is the same time you will find false morels. Eck says these false mushrooms should be regarded as poisonous and not collected for eating.

And he says while it is true that many have eaten false morels with no apparent ill effects, recent research has shown toxins to be present in some of the false morels that can cause death or serious illness.

Eck cited the old saying, "There are old mushroom hunters, and bold mushroom hunters, but there are no old, bold mushroom hunters." and he says that advice to take when mushroom hunting.

A few tips for collecting wild edible mushrooms include:

Edible vs. Poisonous - True or False

Poisonous mushrooms tarnish a silver spoon. False
If it peels, you can eat it. False
All mushrooms growing on wood are edible. False
Mushrooms that squirrels or other animals eat are safe for humans. False
All mushrooms in meadows and pastures are safe to eat. False
All white mushrooms are safe. False (In the Midwest, the most common "deadly" mushrooms are white.)
Poisonous mushrooms can be detoxified by parboiling, drying or pickling. False

Tips For Collecting Wild Mushrooms:

Be sure of your identification - eat only kinds known to be edible.
Do not eat mushrooms raw.
Eat only mushrooms in good condition.
Eat only one kind at a time and do not eat large amounts.
Eat only a small amount the first time; even morels, generally considered to be excellent, may cause illness in some persons.
Don't experiment. There is an old saying, "There are old mushroom hunters, and bold mushroom hunters, but there are no old, bold mushroom hunters."

For more information on this topic you can contact Purdue Extension-Dubois County (812) 482-1782

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