Identification Mushroom

morphological characteristics of caps of mushrooms

identifying mushrooms requires basic understanding of macroscopic structure. basidiomycetes , gilled. spores, called basidiospores, produced on gills , fall in fine rain of powder under caps result. @ microscopic level basidiospores shot off basidia , fall between gills in dead air space. result, mushrooms, if cap cut off , placed gill-side-down overnight, powdery impression reflecting shape of gills (or pores, or spines, etc.) formed (when fruit body sporulating). color of powdery print, called spore print, used classify mushrooms , can identify them. spore print colors include white (most common), brown, black, purple-brown, pink, yellow, , creamy, never blue, green, or red.

while modern identification of mushrooms becoming molecular, standard methods identification still used , have developed fine art harking medieval times , victorian era, combined microscopic examination. presence of juices upon breaking, bruising reactions, odors, tastes, shades of color, habitat, habit, , season considered both amateur , professional mycologists. tasting , smelling mushrooms carries own hazards because of poisons , allergens. chemical tests used genera.

in general, identification genus can accomplished in field using local mushroom guide. identification species, however, requires more effort; 1 must remember mushroom develops button stage mature structure, , latter can provide characteristics needed identification of species. however, over-mature specimens lose features , cease producing spores. many novices have mistaken humid water marks on paper white spore prints, or discolored paper oozing liquids on lamella edges colored spored prints.