Can anyone tell me what this is?

[Nina P]

I'm rather keen to know if this is edible, I had one appear in the back of a border, but didn't have a means of posting, but now I can take and post with the new camera, I found these this morning, and hope someone can tell me if this is edible? Nina.
:t:

[CJW]

Hi Nina,
it certainly looks like one of the edible fungi, but that would be a dangerous assumption to make, until a fungi expert says so for certain. This website might help you identify it:
http://82.43.123.182/britishfungi/pictures/pictures.asp

[StevieEvans]

Nina
I suggest that you play it safe & go to Sainsbury's instead.
S

[steve_nova]

Oooooo, what a delicious nutty flavour...........................:gn:

[Nina P]

Thanks Steve-nova, found information in the country park, Shaggy parasol, Lepiota rhacodes, not to be confused with Stinking Baby Parasol, Lepiota cristata.
Thanks all I'm gonna try it out, if it's ok i'll let you know! Nina.

[Geoff Brown]

Nina,

If we have no more posts from you then we know you should have followed steviewols advice!!

[John Marshall]

Geoff,

Probably Steviewol buys this species in his local Sainsburys!!!!

[Geraldine]

I used to date a man whose method of identifying mushrooms was to eat a bit and see if his lips went numb! He's still alive. I see him round the town!

[Nina P]

Im still here, and oddly enough that was what my dear old dad always did if a little uncertain, he used to first break off a bit, smell it squeezed a bit then check it by putting it on his tongue and lips, wait and see if the numbness happened, but I'm considerably more wary, but one method of edibility is try and peel the top coat off, if you can then the chances are it is edible, but the Moors valley country park rangers can usually tell you.
Yes they were rather nutty and deliscious. Thank you! Nina.
:eat: B (: 3:-)

[Geraldine]

So are you, Nina!

[cuddy]

Richard Mabey in his book Food for Free, offers this tip on the shaggy parasol.

The flesh is white but reddens on cutting, dont know if this helps

[Nina P]

Thanks Cuddy, it never got the chance, picked and pan in the blink of an eye, the picture was ID'd so fresh as is totally possible, from ground to pan, without peeling, as flavour is lost rapidly, no need to wash as cooking kills all microbes, to all intents and purposes. Yum Yum. Nina.

[Paul Rule]

Do not rely on numb lips or how the cap peels, this is V.V.V.V. dangerous.

The Death Cap, peels very easily, and as far as I know it does not numb the lips (it would be madness to even try this with such a deadly species).

Do not rely on any such generalisations or old wives tales in determining the edibility or otherwise of fungi. If in any doubt leave them.

Paul

[Paul Rule]

Just in case anyone is not aware of just how dangerous eating the wrong fungi can be the following is what will happen if you consume Death Caps or Destroying Angle (very apt name) Fungi

These are the most deadly fungus known and despite years of detailed research into the toxins they contain, no antidote exists against their effects on the human body. Poisoning by A. phalloides is characterized by a delay of between 6 and 24 hours in the onset of symptoms from the time of ingestion during which time the cells of the liver and kidneys are attacked. However, if a gastroirritant has also been consumed, e.g. as the result of eating a mixed collection of mushrooms, the delay in gastric upset may not occur and this vital diagnostic evidence will be masked. The next stage is one of prolonged and violent vomiting and diarrhoea accompanied by severe abdominal pains, lasting for a day or more. Typically this is followed by an apparent recovery, when the victim may be released from hospital or think his ordeal over. Within a few days death results from kidney and liver failure.

The amatoxins which through its effect on nuclear RNA in liver cells causes the end of protein synthesis leading to cell death. When filtered through the kidneys it attacks the convoluted tubules and instead of entering the urine it is reabsorbed into the bloodstream and recirculated, causing repeated liver and kidney damage. As with any hepatic disease, treatment relies on the monitoring of blood chemistries, urine output, etc. and the maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance. In cases of amatoxin poisoning mortality is fifty to ninety per cent and any chance of survival depends on early recognition.

[George McCarthy]

I agree with paul and generalisations re "Old wives tales" and the saying "If you can peel it - you can eat it". You can certainly peel Amanita phalloides and you can certainly eat it.

Unfortunately it will be the Last thing you ever eat!

Why not find out more from an excellent book entitled "The Wild Mushroom" by George McCarthy. Check out his website at www.georgemccarthy.com for details on the book and look at the fungi galleries.

By the way my name is George McCarthy.

[Edward]

George, that's the best plug I've ever seen. It made me laugh a lot. Now to check out that website of yours..

[Paul Rule]

Nice site George especially liked the male adder basking.

Another dangerous old wives tail is that if animals eat a species of fungi so can you.

[Nina P]

I do hope you all noticed that I did not attempt to eat it until I'd had the sense to seek proffessional advice, i.e. The rangers from the Moors Valley country park, who do a regular fungi foray, and take inquisitive people round the country park and show the difference between good and bad fungi, and are authorities on this subject. They also cook the edible ones and invite tasting on their forays. If anyone has any real needs there are many resources for full information, via libraries and Drs surgeries, who have a list of people for all matters of substances, I happen to know the rangers and certain ones will give good knowing advice.
To my knowledge there are four lethal fungi in this country, and about 50% will certainly make you very sick, so I'm not advocating any testing/ tasteing other than seeking proper knowledge before attempting to consume, as all the old adages only go so far, but how many people have died before the proof had been accepted.
I do not consider anything safe until proper advice has been sought. Nina.

[Paul Rule]

Nina

Including some quite rare ones I think there are 11 UK species that can cause death, and quite a lot that can make you ill to verious degrees, but not 50%. Most species are just plain inedible, due to taste or texture. However whatever the percentages are, its not worth risking an uknown species.

Paul

[scampo]

I think the vast majority of fungi are edible - if not all tasty; yet - most people fear them. It's human nature, perhaps. Buying a good guide is the key.

[rog8811]

Hi Scampo, I agree that most fungi are edible but many are a waste of time having either little taste or zero texture after cooking. The other thing to remember is that a good eater for one person is a problem to another, a case in point a friend of mine comes out in a nettle rash after eating beefsteak fungus.

In Europe nearly every fungi has a local name due to the fact that poeple seek them out for the pot, it is only the best eaters in this country that get a local or common name!

Regards rog8811

[scampo]

I wonder if we ever had a taste for the wild varieties? I suspect the answer is yes, but the shops have probably weaned us off of the nutritios natural varieties and onto their own highly profitable pure white ones.

When I wasa boy, I was regularly sent off 'mushrooming', but I was only allowed to bring back three varieties, the 'bluestale' or blueits as my dad called them, the horse mushroom and the common mushroom. I only ever found blueits undr hedges and the other two in meadows that had horses grazing in them.

thinking of our odd ways with foods, I remember seeing large ugly tomatoes in France and wondered who would buy such things - that was until I tasted one!

We do seem to have an oddly sterile view of food.

A year back I found a lovely looking puffball and, following the advice of a country friend, fried it in butter and milk. Mmmmm...

[rog8811]

I fully agree, these days if it is not in sainsburys we don't eat it, well some don't! I still search for the pot, it is much tastier when you have picked it yourself.

Regards rog8811

[Nina P]

I agree with you both and have always had a great ddeal of respect for the Fungi experts, but as a little girl the wild field mushrooms that grew in the field next door, were the tastiest I have ever eaten, but the Blewits and chanterelle, were my mum and dads favourites, but I found them rather strong, but I bet I would love them now, as I was developing a taste for the latter before my dear old dad died, but the blewits have not seen for years. Nina.

[scampo]

Originally posted by Nina P
I agree with you both and have always had a great ddeal of respect for the Fungi experts, but as a little girl the wild field mushrooms that grew in the field next door, were the tastiest I have ever eaten, but the Blewits and chanterelle, were my mum and dads favourites, but I found them rather strong, but I bet I would love them now, as I was developing a taste for the latter before my dear old dad died, but the blewits have not seen for years. Nina.

Those blueits are still there - but you have to look really hard. I think kids find them more easily because they're nearer the ground than us adults, and their eyes are sharper.

Nice to seeyou write'dear old dad'. I lost both mum and dad within a six month period earlier this year. 'Dear old' is a lovely way of addressing them!

[rog8811]

Hi steve, If the fungi come out in any numbers after the recent rain, whatever the subject that the school wants for the children, any walk will be be highjacked the moment the kids start seeing them. This has its advantage though, this weekend I have a fungi open day on my reserve, and the kids will have pointed out a lot that I would otherwise have missed!

Regards Roger

[scampo]

I wish I was there with them, Roger. Are you a warden of a reserve?

I see you're from the south-east. We were thinking of a holiday in the New Forest area this year as my eldest son, Nick, is so keen on reptiles and would love the chance to uncover a few lizards and snakes. Do you know this area? It's a bit west for you, I realise.

The New Forest seems the best UK site for such things, but I read a rather downbeat report on the area's birdlife (for a visit during July/August) that rather put me off a little! Any advice would be gratefully received.

[Nina P]

HI there scampo, I can tell you that parts of the New forest have some good places but if you really want to see lots of reptiles do look at the county by county index, for some reason Dorset is in the south west, and it borders the New Forest, I have posted some pictures too of some of the very interesting reptile spotting places, which are on the border of Hampshire and are still part of the forestry areas,
I notice you are from my dear mums neck -of-the-woods, as she was a leicestershire lass, and her sister lives there still. I can also give you some other places to visit if you need some good ideas I'll willingly help you, as this area is so special, and I'd love to point out the not so well known places, with wonderful things to do or see. Nina.

[rog8811]

I am an education officer for the Surrey Wildlife Trust, sorry I can't help with the new forest, lucky that Nina P can. When It comes to reptiles I am well served for Adders, Grasss snakes, Slow worm and common lizard, go to Dorset though and you will almost certainly come across sand lizards.

Regards Roger

[Nina P]

Yes and I had a smooth snake surprise me in my own garden flowerbed, but the sand lizard is one of those named on the board of the herpetological trust society who have stopped building on the St Catherines Hill site just outside Christchurch, now designated an SSSI and just off the main road, and I deliberately took a walk over the place last week, cracking place and pretty quiet apart from Dog walkers, a few places to sit down but next time I'm taking a shooting stick as I sat on the ground several times to catch my breath, and have not been able to much since, That'll teach me to get too carried away! Nina.

[scampo]

Originally posted by rog8811
I am an education officer for the Surrey Wildlife Trust, sorry I can't help with the new forest, lucky that Nina P can. When It comes to reptiles I am well served for Adders, Grasss snakes, Slow worm and common lizard, go to Dorset though and you will almost certainly come across sand lizards.

Regards Roger

Thanks for that Roger. Nina has sent me some details. My appetite's been whetted and I'm already looking forward to next year's hols!