How to ID your Mushroom.

This guide shows the process to gather information about the mushroom so that you can post an ID request here or look for other resources.

When identifying a mushroom, there is a few things you can do to help identify it. It is hard to 100% verify the species of a mushroom based on information you can collect yourself. The best way to determine the species of the mushroom is to break it down into two categories: Appearance, and the Spore Print. The gills do not always match the color of the spores. By using the color of the spore (color of spore print), you can get a pretty good clue of what species it is by combining the information you also get from its Appearance. Another trait about spore prints that make it really nice for identifying mushrooms is that it will stay the same no matter what for that given species. Example: the (fake mushroom) galaxy mushroom it is brownish and has a short stem, but due to being in different environments it can be taller and take on a darker cap. The gills might even be a little bit lighter color but, The spore print for this galaxy mushroom will always be bright blue no matter the environment.

EXAMINE APPEARANCE When examining the mushroom it is important to record many characteristics about it.

Location: VERY HELPFUL. Were you found it, example: Portland, Maine. (if you are worried about privacy at-least give just the state or country your in. However the more you narrow it down the more helpful it is for mycologist/people trying to aid you in finding out what kind it is.)

Habitat: examples - Grown on stump, tall grass, sawdust/wood chips, treeside, lawn, animal droppings ect.

Stem: Length, strength, thickness, ring?, volva?, color.

Gills: Color, and if they are pores or gills.

Cap: Size (coin references or measurments in cm/inchs recommended), color, any extra appearance traits like scales/flakes.

Bruising: Does it bruise? and if so what color.

HOW TO TAKE A SPORE PRINT

• Collect the mushroom(s) in question and find a flat surface.
• Place a fresh blank sheet of printer paper on your surface.
• Remove the stem from the mushroom where it connects to the cap.
• Takes theses caps and place them face down (gill side down) on the paper.
• Take a Glass cup, Jar ect. and place it over the mushroom cap. Leave it set for 8-12 hours, (recommend to do it over night, No need to wait all day.)
• After you have you let it sit for the suggested time, remove the glass and the cap. underneath a spore print should be revealed. It is recommended to take a picture of the print that way you can post it later, or just for memory aid. _________________________________________________________

The words used in italics are terms that can be shown in this diagram: Click here for a diagram with the terms

Click here for a picture of a spore print

created by Box_of_Colors