How to identify mushrooms growing in Veg Garden

[TMo]

Hi everyone,
It has been raining and raining in Sydney and my No dig veg garden has started growing Mushrooms. I cant identify them...they are very grey looking.

I was wondering if anyone new whether there is a website to identify them, and if they are the poison variety, if they are safe to touch. I have kids who would not likely eat them, but might touch them by accident as there are many clumps in the garden. Should I leave them, i understand they are a sign of healthy soil, but need some advice.

thanks everyone

[eco4560]

Speedy is our resident mushroom expert. Try sending him a Private Message.

[pebble]

I forage mushrooms from the wild and while I don't consider myself an expert I do teach myself how to ID new species. I've not heard of mushrooms being a problem to touch.

I always consider the presence of fungi to be a good thing.

The botany department at your local university should be able to help with ID. Don't say anything about edibility, that'll make them nervous ;-), just say you have some interesting fungi and can they help.

[sun burn]

Just tell yoru kids not to touch the mushrooms. Tell them they are so poisonous that they'd die if if they touch them and put their fingers in their mouth. That will stop them.

look for a mushroom id book in libraries.

[permup]

I looked into identifying mushrooms for edibility a few years ago, and came up with very little. Nobody wants to risk being sued by putting anything in print about a certain mushroom being safe to eat, as they just can't ensure your identification skills are up to scratch. There are certainly many books which id mushrooms, but none of them that I found will tell you whether they are safe to eat or not. The closest I came, was a visit to Oberon, where the local information office gave me lessons on how to identify 2 edible mushrooms in the pine forests up there. Needless to say we feasted on Slippery Jacks and Saffron Cups that night - delicious.

I too live in Sydney and think I know of the small mushrooms you are talking about. I just leave them to go about their business in my garden and leave them alone.

[paradisi]

try your NSW department of agriculture

the one up here in queensland is always so helpful with small gardeners

they might have someone who can point you in the right direction

if not - contact north ryde tafe - they have some cluey people working in the horticultural programme

ditto the main sydney universities - might even find some doctoral students with time to spare after the exams ahve finished

[sun burn]

Find a french person. They know about mushrooms. Maybe canadians would too.