Clarity of the 'no edibles' rule!

[brendaward]

Research, most is collated using the internet in education. I was under the impression that the internet was an exeptional tool to research. In the case of fungi I can understand how Photographic evidence and differing opinions could lead the enquirer to a wrong conclusion. The smell and feel could only be with the holder of the fungi. Therefore I accept that fungi edibility is too risky to be identified on this site. Books would pose the same problem. Would reference to local forestry fungi courses be acceptable?

[SheffieldLass]

Originally Posted by brendaward

Research, most is collated using the internet in education. I was under the impression that the internet was an exeptional tool to research. In the case of fungi I can understand how Photographic evidence and differing opinions could lead the enquirer to a wrong conclusion. The smell and feel could only be with the holder of the fungi. Therefore I accept that fungi edibility is too risky to be identified on this site. Books would pose the same problem. Would reference to local forestry fungi courses be acceptable?

Hi Brenda

The best way to learn about fungi is in the field with someone/people very knowledgeable on the subject, together with books and other reputable/reliable sources of information, and you do need an eye for detail and patience. Having a few representative specimens in the hand to turn over, look at the features, compare young with old, sniff, feel the texture of the gills etc etc is the quickest way to get a feel for the jizz of fungi. You quickly learn that there is a lot to learn, but there is a thrill even getting them to genus. You learn quite rapidly the type/species of fungi that you can reliably identify and those which are much more tricky. I personally felt I had to be aware of a broad range of fungi to build up my own confidence in my ability to accurately id specific species, even the simple ones, and to be confident then in eating any.

Yes, the internet is a superb resource for research, though you do have to be careful with it. There are some excellent sites on it put together by very experienced mycologists, but at the other extreme are those that are very inaccurate. Because WAB is open to all to participate, we can have opinions from across the range of experience, so not as reliable as say, the Bioimages website. And pictures can't give the whole picture ... sorry for the pun , and can be deceptive too .... though if the full microscopic detail is given that is a very reliable method for confirmation with just pictures, and is where the internet can be a fabulous tool. When I first started looking at fungi, over 20 years ago, there was not the range of info out there that we have now, so I was quite restricted in what I could do.

I hope you enjoy your foray into the fungal world (the Thetford Forest course sounds like a good place to start), but beware, you might get the bug for fungi badly and it can be hard to shake off

Cheers
Melanie

[SheffieldLass]

Originally Posted by cowshill

Melanie, since you reread the entire thread (a daunting task!) you are no doubt correct. On my part, after reading through the thread I wrote of the feelings I came away with and apparently incorrectly connected two ideas that were never expressed together. (Shows I'm not a scientist.)

So it appears that I should have written that a few posts demeaned fungal epicures and some others spoke of the scientific nature of the forum. I wrote carelessly and apologise if I have caused any offence in doing so. My intended point was not specifically that these thoughts were expressed together, but rather that they each needlessly created divisions among a great group of naturalists here in the fungi forum.

Allow me to end with the same words as my previous post: We're all in it together, and if we stick together we just might find a way to save the planet.

'Nuff said.

- Jim

My apologies to you too if I caused any offence ... yes I agree with your final sentiment - we are all in it together, and if we stick together we just might find a way to save the planet.

Cheers
Melanie

[JamesPrince]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Hello!

Since the 'no talk of edibles' rule has been in force, I don't think I've been alone in treading on eggshells in terms of thinking what I can and cannot post. I'm very interested in the mycological aspects of fungi hunting, but it's no secret that I enjoy a nice patch of Ceps to bring home, so how much can I say about it? Am I allowed to reference it? Could someone clarify the rule for me please? I think the initial idea of banning edible ID requests is a good idea because of obvious liabilities, but the discussion of edibles in the forum in general has been affected. I know we've never been a forum focused on the culinary side of wild fungi, but I think it would be criminal to ban all discussion about it. I think the only thing that should be in place is 'Yes your fungus is edible' replies...

There are many people who originally joined WAB years before this rule for the sole reason that they enjoy their wild mushrooms and I think it'd be a real shame to watch their activity diminish or make them feel unwelcome because of it. Such people became more mycologically involved as WAB's resources grew as well, so it'd be a real shame to lose them!

What does everyone think, especially John!

Cheers!

Nick

Hi Guys
Im one of these people Nick talks about
i originally got interested in mushrooms because where i worked i used to get an abundance every year of field mushrooms and always enjoyed my yearly pickings. This got me more interested in the other mushrooms around and now am enjoying photography aswell as the research into trying my best to identify the mushrooms i see. I think that its a shame i cant come on here and say that i enjoyed a mushroom that i picked or without being told off. i think that all is needed is a disclaimer or something to say that all id's are not 100% gauranteed. The total banning of anything of that nature is a bit over the top. I understand what people are scared of and i think that if someone is silly enough to eat a mushroom without completly knowing what it is then i think thats up to them. maybe if they had asked someone on here before hand they might have found out its poisoness ..

i know im new to all this. dont know if my oppinion counts for much but id thought i would say something
James

[brendaward]

Young girl in Aldbrough, Suffolk ate two deathcaps last week. She has amazingly survived. I can see WAB's dilema as you can't disclaim something that could cause a fatality.

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by brendaward

Young girl in Aldbrough, Suffolk ate two deathcaps last week. She has amazingly survived. I can see WAB's dilema as you can't disclaim something that could cause a fatality.

She ate them raw whilst she was on a bike ride. She apparently mistook them for field mushrooms...Sorry, but who's chomping down on raw field mushrooms on a bike ride? Pure stupidity- I don't know why she's getting sympathy

[brendaward]

Who is giving her sympathy? However she is a kid.

[nickyspaghetti]

Yes, a kid, but had she really never been told not to eat wild mushrooms? This one is on the parents in my opinion(I haven't read the report so maybe I missed somthing)

[NickCantle]

Wellll, I think this thread has well and truly run its course