Share and Follow
Key Points
- There are an estimated quarter of a million unique species of mushroom in Australia.
- Identifying edible species of mushrooms in Australia requires caution and expertise.
- Fatal Death cap mushrooms are extremely difficult to distinguish from other wild mushrooms and can resemble edible species.
He says in NSW it’s allowed to harvest mushrooms in state forests.
A mycologist examines Laccaria fungi in a Cool Temperate Rainforest. Credit: Jason Edwards/Getty Images
“Edible mushrooms are spread out all over Australia and there is a number of species which are much appreciated by specific cultural pockets, like the pine mushrooms by the polish, the Russians and the Italians for example, and the field mushrooms for farmers,” Mr Bonetto explains.
He adds that if you are unsure about the type of mushroom you’re foraging, it’s best to avoid it.
Death cap mushroom
“If somebody was to mistakenly eat a Death Cap mushroom, there is a potential of dying from eating that mushroom… but it can range from needing liver transplants [to other severe health complications],” he warns.
Source: Moment RF / Simon McGill/Getty Images
There are an estimated quarter of a million unique species of mushroom in Australia.
Professor Summerell says this makes identifying poisonous species a matter of highly specialised knowledge.
‘Difficult to identify’
Mushroom – Pixabay Source: Pixabay
Mushroom season
Gilled Fungi, Amanita Ochrophylla, on the forest floor. Credit: Jason Edwards/Getty Images
In , people need a permit to collect fungi from Queensland’s national parks, state forests and other reserves. These permits have stringent conditions, including notifying the local ranger of your intended visit.
For life-threatening symptoms, call 000.
