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Mushrooming: Nothing to Fear except Fear Itself
Mushrooms are intriguing to humans. Their oddly beautiful shape invokes curiosity, and their brilliant colors are painted on randomly in patterns that mesmerize us. My 2-year-old daughter is living proof of this, as she is hypnotically drawn to them. I had to show her how to properly smash them: With a stick. Like snakes, they also induce interest and fear because they propose the potential for death. This fear, unfortunately, is also what averts many people from eating wild mushrooms. However, with a little guidance and responsibility, we can safely pick and eat these tasty wild treats. The next thing that I will teach my daughter: Don’t smash those puffballs!
Populations of humans have used mushrooms for thousands of years. There is evidence they were used back in the Stone Age. They certainly were exploited for a source of food, which unquestionably came at the expense of several deaths due to the trial-and-error method that was inevitably employed. Most likely, the medicinal value of them was also discovered and utilized. Their greatest claim to fame, however, was the use of hallucinogenic varieties in shamanistic rituals. Certain species are psychotropic, which cause the taker to experience “visions.” Many anthropologists assert that such species with hallucinogenic properties were pivotal in the evolution of human culture.
So what purpose do mushrooms serve in the 21st Century? In this modern age of science and organized religion, seeing visions can only be confusing. It’s also true that the medicinal use of fungi could be considered obsolete next to the wonders of modern pharmaceuticals. And we couldn’t go out to pick and eat wild mushrooms because we could pick the wrong ones and get poisoned. Or perhaps we can.
Our modern society affords us something invaluable in regards to the use of mushrooms: We have the knowledge to safely distinguish edible mushrooms with practically no risk. As a matter of fact, more people die in the U.S. each year from bee stings or lightening than they do from eating poisonous mushrooms (Schaechter 202).
Before we go on a feeding frenzy, however, it may be of interest to know what it is that we are about to eat. Most of us would be surprised to know that mushrooms are not plants. They are fungi, and differ from plants in one major way: Instead of making their own food through photosynthesis as plants do, fungi need organic material for food. In this way, most biologists consider fungi to be more closely related to animals than plants. The actual mushroom is only a small portion of a larger system of underground threads. As such, they can be thought of as fruit on a tree.
The last point to consider before going on the “hunt” is the issue of safety. Before one goes deer hunting, the individual must be taught about gun safety. After the course, it becomes unlikely that the hunter will accidentally shoot someone or themselves. This is the same with mushrooming; with a little caution, there is virtually no risk in accidentally consuming a poisonous mushroom. That caution can be adequately taken by following the one simple, golden rule of mushroom hunting: If you can’t positively identify the mushroom as edible, don’t eat it. If you’re 99% sure it is edible, don’t eat it. Nonetheless, it is wise to learn the appearance of poisonous mushrooms, just as a pheasant hunter knows what a grouse looks like. A good place to start is by being able to identify the Amanitas, who are responsible for 90% of the mushroom fatalities in the U.S. This beautiful, mesmerizing “angel of death” attracts small children, and is ironically often depicted in children’s stories. Upon seeing a picture, however, it is easy to identify.
There are, for certain, hundreds of varieties of edible mushrooms, and for the beginning mushroomer in Minnesota there are at least six varieties that are fairly abundant and easily identifiable. They include Giant Puffballs, Shaggymanes, Sulfur Shelf, Oyster mushrooms, and the highly sought after Morels. There are countless books and online websites where one can get images of these and information about where and when to find them. A great mushroom to begin hunting would be the state fungus of Minnesota: The Morel.
Morels are generally regarded as the ultimate find for mushroomers. There are some people who get dangerously enthusiastic about the prospect of finding morels. These people are called “Roons.” It is well known that the behavior of these individuals can be compared to that of deer in rut; they have only one thing on their minds and are oblivious to everything else. Beware of them, and be aware that you could become one yourself. In any case, it is the general consensus of mushroomers that morels are the best tasting edible mushroom.
Morels grow in the spring after periods of rain. Every Roon has their own ideas as far as signs which signal when they may be ready. Common indicators include the blooming of lilacs or of trilliums, willow trees turning green, or when “oak leaves become the size of squirrels’ ears” (Tekiela). In any event, we can’t count on a particular calendar date any more than we could for the appearance of robins in the spring. Good places to look are around dead elm trees, along the banks of rivers and streams, in old apple orchards, and on south-facing slopes where the sun warms it up after a recent, good rain. They may be hiding in poison ivy or prickly ash; they do that on purpose to try and discourage us from eating them. Yet, as a general rule, they can be just about anywhere.
The physical appearance of the morel is unique and easily identifiable. They have a honeycomb-like form with pitted and ridged caps with a stem that connects directly to the cap. They are 2-12 inches high and can vary in color from gray to yellow. Beware, though, that there is a false morel; this troublemaker is similar in appearance to the true morel but the stem doesn’t connect directly to the cap. It can be mildly poisonous so one should familiarize themselves with these characteristics. Once again, all one needs to do is to get a book and look at the pictures and descriptions of true morels and false morels and there should be no confusion or difficulty distinguishing between the two.
Next to nothing is needed for the hunt. It’s good to have a pocket knife to cut the morels off cleanly at the base, as another may sprout from the same spot. A basket is nice to put them in, but paper bags will also be sufficient. No license is needed, but it is important to know that there are laws in Minnesota that require a person to have knowledge of being able to differentiate between edible and potentially dangerous varieties of mushrooms. (For that matter, there is also a Minnesota law that says you can’t cross the state line with a chicken on your head!). The only other thing needed is patience; Morels aren’t going to jump out at you.
The hunt is on! Our bellies are grumbling and our mouths watering. Remember the golden rule of safety for mushrooming: If in doubt, throw it out! Most importantly, don’t forget what this is really all about: Getting away from televisions and telephones, and bringing our children and ourselves to breath and feel the Earth. Just as deer hunters don’t get “buck fever” solely from the prospect of eating venison, Roons aren’t in it just for the food. It is spring, the forest and creatures are awake after their winter slumber, and it’s a great time to be alive!
Bibliography
Evans, Margaret M. and Nettie Lou Samuels. Morelling. Santa Barbara, CA: Fithian Press, 1987.
Ratzloff, John. The Morel Mushroom. Stillwater, MN: Voyageur Press, 1990.
Schaechter, Elio. In the Company of Mushrooms. Cambridge, MA and London: Harvard UP, 1997.
Tekiela, Stan and Karen Shanberg. Start Mushrooming. Cambridge, MN: Adventure Publications, 1993.