Best way to learn how to identify mushrooms

[drypulse]

Hi. I was wondering if any of you could advise me how best to learn how to identify mushrooms, and find them. Are courses the best way? or just by finding them and learning to identify them with books? I have been on a few mushroom walks and the ranger was really good, but over the year I have been trying, I have so far struggled to find anything like a chantrelle, or even a fly agaric!

any help would be greatly appriciated.

[bushcraft4]

hi there, this is not a easy one.learning to identify fungi can be a very long labour of love. firstly i would say that going on group forays is a great start as it is informative and good fun. Next i would say that if you intend to continue your interest then a good guide such as Mushroom by Roger Phillips is a fantastic guide. As for collecting samples , a lot will depend on the area you search,and trying different areas at different times of the year, and then the weather conditions play a big role.When you do find fungi i find that it can compicate things if you try to collect too many varieties. Take on yiour walk a paper and pencil an make a note of the area it was found ie;was it growing under trees if so what type. was it growing on leaf litter, rotting wood ,or on other fungi or trees.If you have a phone camera it can pay to take pictures of the enviroment.Then collect the complete fungi and transport in a breathable container "i use a small wicker basket" then a home you can inspect it, check details and produce a spore print"for this you will need a microscope" .Then use your guide and when you think you may have a good idea post a pic in the forum and let the exerts help to pin point your specimen.An lastly keep at it..and be carefull..i hope this was some help.

[drypulse]

thank you that was a big help, i have the book you mention so thats good, looks like i will have a fun weekend searching for some specimens!

[Johnny81]

I am in the same boat as I am learning a few species myself. I have Roger Phillips Mushrooms book and in my opinion it isn't the best place to start, it is a great book but again not for the very beginner. I am opting with a Collins book just to get a few species in my head and learn the families, then use Roger Phillips book as cross reference, I find some of the pics to small in his book too. Again this is just my opinion. Failing that photo and measure fungi at all angles and bug this lot on the fungi forums, that's what I do It was a little bit like when I learnt my plants, people and tutors said get Francis rose's wild flower key, but I found simpler picture books easier to start with then use the key to cross reference, now I mostly use the key.