Be careful if you go pick mushrooms

[SirDice]

Some say they are extraterrestrial life, the spores traveled through space.

Panspermia?

Don't think that happened though, fungi came around when life was well underway. Heck, the reason we can dig up coal now is because there was nothing that broke down ancient tree and plant material during the carboniferous period.

 

[eternal_noob]

Yes. Could be an explanation. But i am no expert, i don't know if this is true.

But these Prototaxites look pretty alien to me.

Heck, the reason we can dig up coal now is because there was nothing that broke down ancient tree and plant material during the carboniferous period.

The Prototaxites are much older.

 

[SirDice]

Everything from the Paleozoic periods looks alien

 

[sidetone]

The 7 Safest Mushrooms to Forage and Eat

Perfect for novice foragers, these mushrooms are delicious, easy to find, and are not easily confused with toxic species.

getpocket.com

 

[eternal_noob]

This list is dangerous for beginners.

1. Puffball Mushrooms
There are some poisonous ones, e.g. Scleroderma citrinum. In addition, they can easily be confused with young Amanita phalloides (deadly)

2. Chanterelles
Can easily be confused with Omphalotus olearius, a very poisonous look-alike.

3. Oyster Mushrooms
Can easily be confused with Pleurocybella porrigens (deadly)

4. Chicken of the woods
Can easily be confused with Hapalopilus rutilans (deadly)

The rest should be relatively save.

 

[eternal_noob]

Speaking of Hapalopilus rutilans:

Laetiporus sulphureus (Chicken of the woods):


Hapalopilus rutilans (Cinnamon bracket):


Very similar look!

 

[grahamperrin]

Logical, Captain.

 

[astyle]

2. Chanterelles
Can easily be confused with Omphalotus olearius, a very poisonous look-alike

For me, at least, it's not that easy to confuse the two... Chantrelles have a much more delicate cap, and a much more consistent, clean and pale orange color. Not to mention the good stuff is easy to clean, dirt doesn't stick to it. The good stuff - rinse, cut up, fry with onions - no need to soak it, even.