Mushroom Society of Utah
      Mushroom Identification
      There are two ways to identify mushrooms. The quickest and easiest, is to call someone who is already experienced in mushroom identification. Feel free to give us a call at 801-942-0637. The second way is to learn to identify mushrooms yourself. It's fun, but it does take some time to learn. If you plan on eating wild mushrooms, proper identification is an absolute requirement. Despite folklore, you can eliminate risk of poisoning from eating wild mushrooms as long as you follow certain logical ground rules. The first of these is; never eat a mushroom unless you are 100% sure of it's identity. Or, "If in doubt, throw it out". There is no known case of a mushroom poisoning fatality in any mushroom society in the history of the United States.
      There are two approaches to learning to identify mushrooms. One, get a good guide book and study it. Two, go mushroom hunting with people who are experienced in mushroom identification.
      Whichever approach you take, follow up with the other. You cannot become thoroughly knowledgeable without both. A third alternative is to take both approaches at the same time. Participation in a group activity adds immeasurably to your identification skills.
      Mushroom identification often becomes mushroom recognition. What initially may take concentrated study to narrow down the choice, in some cases will result in instantaneous recognition.

      mushroom with volva
       
       

      Can you identify the mushrooms in this picture?
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

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      Mushroom Society of Utah March 12, 1999