Paolo wrote: Thu May 09, 2013 5:15 am The morel is unique, and comes in gray, black, and yellow. It may be white when very fresh, but this is very rare to find. There are no "evil clones".

If you weren't raised in a culture that hunts mushrooms, my recommendation is you go mushroom hunting in a grocery store.

[/B] That's a bit dangerous info. Though seldom fatal, "false morels" are one of the more common causes of mushroom poisoning. http://thegreatmorel.com/falsemorel.html

this page is intended to be taken with the utmost seriousness. This page is not an attempt to explore the false morel from a scientifuc perspective, but to give you a basic understanding, and assist you in uncovering its unique indentity and characteristics. You can find links at the bottom of the page that will direct you to other research papers, which delve deeper into the biological composition of this fungi.

The "False Morel" has several species which carry scientific names such as Gyromitra esculenta, Verpa, Hellvella, and Disciotis. The Verpa and gyromitrin species are the most often mis-identified variety. The gyroomitrin is oten referred to as the "red mushroom", the "beefsteak mushroom" or the "lorchel". There are several true species of the false morel, and while some will say they can prepare and eat the false morel with no problem, others have a drastically opposite reaction to them. Hence, The Great Morel suggests that you do not attempt to digest this particular mushroom.

Research shows this species of the morel family is said to contain a toxic chemical called Gyromitrin, a toxic and possible carcinogenic chemical. There are white papers out on the internet that suggest this chemical can be removed from the morel by repeatedly boiling small cut up pieces in water. There are also shoomers who will tell you they have no ill side-effects from ingesting properly prepared false morels, yet evidence will point out that even ingesting small amounts of un-properly treated false morels can have serious side-effects. Even the preparation of the false morel in itself can be dangerous and may cause adverse reactions, thus avoid inhaling fumes and steam. Research also points out there are various species of false morels that grow around the world, and while some may not be as toxic as others, it is wise to understand this and to do your own research wisely.

Some of the known side effects are severe cases of diarrhea, severe headaches, vomiting, nausea, extreme dizziness, and YES even possible death. The Great Morel strongly suggests that you leave the false morel exactly where you found it. The Great Morel also suggests (as many others do) that even if you have no reaction yourself, not to offer the false morel to anyone else, especially to children and pregnant women. For info and pictures to distinguish the two: http://www.michiganmorels.com/morels2.shtml

Transward

Paolo wrote: Thu May 09, 2013 5:15 am I would add, NEVER eat a wild mushroom unless you are 100% sure what it is. Some species may look and taste great, but they'll kill you up to several months later.

One of my earliest childhood memories is toddling around the woods looking for these.

Thing is, most of the really common ones that you'll find in your yard, and that are very pretty or grow in rings, are toxic. The Destroying Angel, an amanita that is the textbook pretty mushroom, is all white and just screams "eat me! eat me!" Do that, and you'll be dead in 48 hours, max.

The morel is unique, and comes in gray, black, and yellow. It may be white when very fresh, but this is very rare to find. There are no "evil clones".

If you weren't raised in a culture that hunts mushrooms, my recommendation is you go mushroom hunting in a grocery store.

The fairy ring mushrooms are rarely poisonous, though not particularly edible or tasty. Amanita virosa, the destroying angel, is usually found singly or in scattered groups about the base of trees. (The favored tree is the birch; most members of genus Amanita are parasitic on the roots of trees.) The odor of the flesh is sickly sweet, and it is lethally toxic even in small quantities. Members of the genus Amanita are easily recognized by a distinctive ragged appearance of the annulus. Unfortunately some members of the genus are edible and tasty while some are lethal. Usually the metabolitic toxins of these latter examples are generated more than 24 hours after consumption.

If you want mushrooms, yes, buy them in the store. Buy ones that are partially open with exposed gills. This allows the water to evaporate and they weigh less, so you are no longer paying for the water inside. Canned mushrooms are largely tasteless, to high in sodium, and may harbor botulism if poorly canned. Mushrooms are the worst offenders in terms of inadequate canning techniques.

Anyone who could mistake a false morel (red, brainlike) for a good one (yellow, gray, dark and spongelike) doesn't need to be out hunting them.

Paolo wrote: Fri May 10, 2013 5:07 am Anyone who could mistake a false morel (red, brainlike) for a good one (yellow, gray, dark and spongelike) doesn't need to be out hunting them.

If I remember correctly, in Russian reference books both kinds are marked as "conditionally edible", and it is mentioned, that one needs to boil them for some time, then change the water, and only then do something with them. But I may be wrong, I read that book a long time ago.

I personally prefer chanterelles (they are plentiful here and there are no worms/bugs trying to eat them). Also it is really difficult to confuse them with anything poisonous.

this mushroom talking is making this foxy hungry.

NB = Anyome hear tried magic psychedelic mushrooms?....I dare not try it bc I don't want to end up dead(sister has allergies remember, Im not certain if I have allergies to certain shrooms)

Furry buddy tried some in front of me and I had to restrain him for most of the time. A bad trip no doubt LOL

I've never identified a magic mushroom around here. I've never even found an Amanita Muscaria. (The very common artistic red/white mushroom). I did find one that is, somewhat, called the brown Haymaker mushroom. problem is, you have to eat like a ton of them to get high and see Jesus.

For morel preparation here, cut them in half and rinse. Soak in the fridge, in salt water, overnight to kill unwanted tenants. The cook and eat. Never eat them raw.

I've also never seen a chanterelle here, but in the Midwest, there are imposters that are often mistaken for them. I know what they are, just never found them. Fortunately, the imposters only make you very sick and WISH they were lethal!

I am looking forward to this fall when the Chicken of the Woods mushrooms come back, now that I know what they are.

i once discovered an Amanita Muscaria growing rapidly in my Mother's front yard. Its quite colorful and easy to see.

I got out latex gloves and removed it to the sewer. Just in case there was anyone stupid enough to think it edible.

You can't absorb the toxins through the skin, so don't worry about that. However, if unsure, it was a smart precaution. Pity there was no one around to buy it - in olden times, a good one was worth about the best reindeer in the herd to the Laplanders. Another disgusting sidenote - when the Shaman got on the Muscaria trip, his urine would be collected up to 7 times so that the commoners could ingest it and get high too.

Dave (imported) wrote: Fri May 10, 2013 5:24 pm i once discovered an Amanita Muscaria growing rapidly in my Mother's front yard. Its quite colorful and easy to see.

I got out latex gloves and removed it to the sewer. Just in case there was anyone stupid enough to think it edible.

Amanita muscaria is perfectly edible but bland tasting. Some people possess metabolisms that break some of the mushroom's proteins down to create hallucinogenic substances, and they get high. Others only get an uninteresting field mushroom.

The urine of those who get high contains the psychotropic metabolites and drinking it will get even non metabolizers high. This mushroom is alleged by Gordon Wasson to have been the Soma of the Rig-Veda, though I doubt that identification.

The cap of the mushroom is a bright scarlet dotted with crusty remnants of the universal veil when newly appearing, but it fades to a paler orangey yellow which is easily confused with the duller colors of Amanita rubescens which is edible if cooks but toxic when raw and Amanita pantherina which is highly and lethally toxic. Carbolic acid will stain the flesh of Amanita pantherina but not that of the other two species.

foxytaur (imported) wrote: Fri May 10, 2013 10:47 am NB = Anyome hear tried magic psychedelic mushrooms?....

(foxytaur)

Sure. Had some good fun on 'shrooms back in the day (80's).

Too dirty of a rush, though; unpredictable strength and an all-around 'fuzzy' feeling makes them risky.

I only did it a few times, and stopped once I discovered the wonder and the glory of proper LSD.

'Shrooms also taste truly and utterly gross. Reason enough not to eat 'em. Paolo is right in saying many edible mushrooms are yummy but damn, dried 'shrooms just taste like dirt and sticks.

I could only choke 'em down with yoghurt or ice cream .

(Of course, I've outgrown this type of psychedelia usage now that I'm over 40; I just smoke plenty of pot these days).