A mushroom is a fungus that grows on wet, moist surfaces such as lawns, dead tree trunks, fences and wooded areas. There are over 750 species of mushrooms in Kansas. In the US, only a small number of mushrooms are considered poisonous, but the ones that are can be quite dangerous, even deadly.
The close physical similarities of many mushrooms make it difficult for anyone but a trained expert (mycologist) to differentiate them. Poisonous and edible mushrooms can grow side by side, and to make matters worse, most poisonous mushrooms resemble edible mushrooms at some phase of their growth. So the best prevention against mushroom poisonings is to assume that no wild mushrooms are safe to eat.
Mushroom Safety Tips
- If you are going to eat wild mushrooms, make certain they are identified by an expert. If you are not quite sure if it is edible, a good motto is “when in doubt, throw it out.”
- Cooking a mushroom does not always make it safe to eat.
- Even if you feel certain of your mushroom identification, it is best to use caution when eating them for the first time. Eat only 1 species at a time and in small amounts. Even nonpoisonous mushrooms can cause unpleasant reactions.
- Symptoms from a toxic mushroom can be delayed for many hours.
- Children should be taught never to touch or eat wild mushrooms. Check for mushroom growth in your yard before letting children out to play.
