Foraged Fungi: A Guide to Edible Mushrooms in the Wild
In the lush forests and meadows of Ohio, a bounty of wild mushrooms can be found, offering a delightful treat for those who know which ones to pick. However, it's crucial to be absolutely certain of identification before consuming any wild mushroom, as some dangerous look-alikes can pose serious health risks.
Edible Mushrooms in Ohio
Morels, a highly prized edible mushroom, are commonly foraged in Ohio during spring. They have a distinctive honeycomb cap and are hollow inside. Morels are well-known and popular among mushroom hunters in Ohio [3].
Hen-of-the-woods (Maitake) is another safe and delicious wild mushroom variety. It grows in clusters at the base of trees and is nutritious [1].
Oyster mushrooms, another safe edible species, grow on logs and tree trunks, often found in Ohio forests [1].
Sulphur shelf (Chicken-of-the-woods) are bright orange-yellow mushrooms that grow on wood. They are edible and nutritious [1].
Giant puffball (Calvatia gigantea) can be found in meadows and fields in Ohio during late summer and autumn. Edible when young and white inside, but should be cut open to ensure no gills or imperfections [4].
Certain Russula mushrooms can be identified with appropriate tests and are edible. Caution is advised as some Russula are inedible or mildly toxic, so expert identification is recommended [5].
Chanterelle mushrooms, although popular and nutritious, have poisonous look-alikes, so expert identification is essential before consumption [2].
Important Safety Advice
When in doubt, consult expert foragers or mycologists to avoid poisoning. Some dangerous look-alikes, such as Jack-O-Lantern, False Morels, Death Cap, and Autumn Skullcap, can be fatal [1][2].
Mushrooms to Avoid
False morels, found during the same time as edible morels, are poisonous and should not be collected for eating.
The Destroying Angel (Amanita sp.), a poisonous, deadly mushroom with three all-white species common in Ohio in mixed woods from July to October, should never be consumed [4].
The Jack-O-Lantern mushroom (Omphalotus, Clitocybe) is poisonous and found at the base of stumps and decaying tree roots [11].
Other Mushrooms in Ohio
Many mushrooms are beneficial and can be found in a wide variety of habitats. Some mushrooms establish a mutually beneficial relationship with the roots of living trees, called mycorrhizal mushrooms.
Some mushrooms grow in and form their fruiting structures on living trees, causing decay.
Shaggy mane mushrooms, found in late summer to fall, are edible but their gills and cap soon become inky.
The meadow mushroom (Agaricus) is edible and can be found in grassy areas from late summer to early fall [7].
Russula mushrooms (Russula sp.) can be found in Ohio during the summer and fall, with many species of various colours. Some are edible, while some are poisonous [8].
The Smooth white Lepiota, an edible mushroom for most people, can be found in grassy areas from late summer to early autumn, but be aware of look-a-likes [13].
Season for Wild Mushroom Foraging
The season for collecting wild mushrooms in Ohio for food begins in late March and ends in late autumn.
Figure Captions
Figure 5: Amanita mushroom, a poisonous fly mushroom with reddish-orange, orange to yellow caps and whitish "warts".
Figure 6: Morel mushrooms (Morchella), with five species in Ohio that are edible and appear from late March to mid-May.
Figure 7: The meadow mushroom (Agaricus), which is edible and can be found in grassy areas from late summer to early fall.
Figure 8: Russula mushrooms (Russula sp.), with many species in Ohio of various colours. Some are edible, while some are poisonous, and they appear in the summer and fall.
Figure 9: The Sulfur or Chicken mushroom (Laetiporus), an edible mushroom with orange-yellow pores that grows on wood in summer and fall.
Figure 10: False morels (Gyromitra sp.), which are poisonous and should not be collected for eating, especially during April and May.
Figure 11: The Jack-O-Lantern mushroom (Omphalotus, Clitocybe), an orange-yellow mushroom with gills that is poisonous and found at the base of stumps and decaying tree roots.
Figure 12: The Slippery jack (Suillus, Boletus), a fleshy pore mushroom that is edible and can be found under 2- and 3-needle pines.
Figure 13: The Smooth white Lepiota, an edible mushroom for most people, found in grassy areas from late summer to early autumn, but be aware of look-a-likes.
References
[1] Mycological Society of America. (n.d.). Mushrooms of North America. Retrieved from https://www.mushroomexpert.com/
[2] Peterson, L. A., & Peterson, A. H. (2001). A Field Guide to Mushrooms and Toadstools of Eastern North America. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
[3] Ohio Department of Natural Resources. (n.d.). Morel Mushroom Hunting. Retrieved from https://ohiodnr.gov/morels
[4] Ohio State University Extension. (n.d.). Wild Mushroom Foraging. Retrieved from https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5000
[5] Ohio State University Extension. (n.d.). Russula Mushrooms. Retrieved from https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5000
[11] Ohio State University Extension. (n.d.). Jack-O-Lantern Mushroom. Retrieved from https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5000
[13] Ohio State University Extension. (n.d.). Smooth White Lepiota. Retrieved from https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5000
Expanding the Lifestyle Choices in Ohio
Besides the exquisite food-and-drink offerings, Ohio also caters to home-and-garden enthusiasts with a variety of wild mushrooms that can be foraged. Morels, Hen-of-the-woods, Oyster mushrooms, Sulphur shelf, and Giant puffball are edible and add a unique touch to any dish [1][3][6][9].
To avoid any mishaps, it's essential to educate oneself about the identification of these mushrooms and seek guidance from experts, as some dangerous look-alikes can pose serious health risks [1][2]. This knowledge also contributes to the self-development and growth of one's skills in education-and-self-development.
