Which Mushrooms are Good to Eat? -------------------------------- This is a very difficult and complex question. Over many centuries, avid mushroom hunters have literally given their lives to answer it. As a result, we now have a fairly good, and increasingly reliable picture of which species of mushrooms are edible, and which are poisonous. Rather than just going out and picking any mushroom and eating it (a **dangerous** practice to say the least), one can avail one's self of any of several dozen good field guides, as well as the services of any of hundreds of local mycological societies, which by and large are composed of dedicated amatuers. Empirical tests, such as whether the mushroom stains a silver coin black, are complete nonsense. Known mycotoxins have **no** such effects. There are likewise no machines which can determine the edibility of a mushroom. Only by systematically studying the characteristic traits of fungi, can one accurately determine the precise ~species~ of mushroom, and hence its edibility. Please note: Even today, our knowledge of the edibility of wild mushrooms is changing. Some species, which were once considered edible, are now considered poisonous due to their high content of known carcinogens, or cumulative poisons. There are, however places where these species are still eaten and enjoyed, making it difficult to catagorize them as edible or not. Get yourself a good field guide, and avail yourself of the services of a knowledgable, experienced mushroom hunter. There are many fine local mycological societies, far more than I can list in the FAQ file. Memberships are **not** expensive, and they're always glad to help along new members. -=- Prepared by Brian McNett, Editor of MycoInfo .