How to Study the Features of a Mushroom

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Identification of wild mushrooms can seem daunting and should be approached with caution. Following this list, you will be able to locate basic features that are needed to properly identify mushrooms. You can use this guide as a list of what to check and record when confronted with an unknown species. The identification of mushrooms is a nice hobby to add to nature hikes and with proper knowledge can allow you to forage choice edibles you may come across. This does not substitute research on your local area and in-depth knowledge of mushroom species.

Part 1

Part 1 of 6:

Considering Time and Place

1
Discover what mushrooms you would expect to find based on your location and time of year.
- Research what mushrooms are naturally found in your area of the world; this will narrow your list of possible species tremendously.
- Notice the time of year and temperature. Some mushrooms are only found in a certain season (spring/summer/fall/winter).
2
Locate the what the fungus is growing on:
- Organic matter:
  - Through leaf litter
  - Compost
  - Soil
- On wood:
  - Live or decaying wood
  - Hardwood or softwood
  - Species of tree
3
Determine if the mushroom is found in association with a single or multiple tree species. This can mean it is a mycorrhizal or a parasitic fungus. Mycorrhizal fungi are associated with the root system of trees and will be found around the bases of trees, extending outward. This can be difficult to discern, especially if the number of specimens is low.
- Mycorrhizal fungi will grow in a pattern radially outward from a tree's base.
- Mycorrhizal fungi can form tethered fairy rings around the base of live or dead trees.
- Parasitic fungi will grow at the base of the tree directly or on the wood.
- Know your area and what mushrooms grow there.
- Fungal networks can survive after a tree has died.
4
Check what environment you’re in. Certain species need specific environments to grow.
- Meadow
- Wetlands/floodplains
- Moist or dry area of forest
- What type of forest you’re in (deciduous/conifer/mixed)
- Sandy or arid conditions
- Coastal regions
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Part 2

Part 2 of 6:

Examining the Pileus or Cap

1
Examine the shape of the cap. Note the maturity of the mushroom.
- Convex—A smooth, dome-like cap.
- Hemispherical/Ovoid—Shaped like half an egg.
- Campanulate—Bell-shaped.
- Conical—Cone-like in appearance.
- Umbonate—With a central umbo (a rounded bump) and flat cap.
- Umbilicate—With a central round depression, like the reverse of umbonate.
- Papillate—With a sharp bump in the center of the cap.
- Funnel—Steep central depression forming a funnel.
- Sunken—Cap depressed, with margins higher than the center.
- Flat—A planar cap.
- Cylindrical—Rounded top with a long vertical cap (e.g. shaggy mane).
- Bracket—Shelf-like caps growing on wood; typically fan-shaped.
- Spherical—Completely round; only seen in puffballs and unbroken volva.
2
Examine the cross-sectional cap edge/margin. Note how the cap and spore surface meet.
- Straight—End of the cap on the same plane; no curve.
- Incurved/Downturned—Edge of the cap curved downward.
- Recurved/Upturned—End of the cap curved upward.
- Involute—Edge of the cap curled downward.
- Revolute—End of the cap curled upward.
- Rounded—Edge of the cap rounded.
- Sterile—When the edge of the cap runs past the spore surface.
3
Examine the outline of the margin.
- Entire/Smooth—Unbroken outline.
- Scalloped—The rim of the mushroom has pattern of semicircles.
- Striate—Short, parallel ridges.
- Lobed—Margins cleave inward, like the lobes on a leaf.
- Sinuate—Wavy margins.
- Cracked/Rimose—Splits in the cap along margin.
- Appendiculate—With tissue hanging off margin.
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4
Examine the appearance and texture of the cap surface.
- Smooth—Smooth to the touch.
- Velvety—Tiny hairs that are soft to touch.
- Scales—Close or overlapping fibers on the cap, resembling scales.
- Corrugated—Wrinkled in texture and appearance.
- Hairy—Fibrous; can be somewhat shaggy.
- Areolate—A cracked pattern, similar to old paint.
- Warts—Remains of a universal veil dot the surface.
- Viscid—Moist and slimy (often dries out).
- Waxy—Cap covered in a smooth waxy coat.
- Zonate—Concentric rings of color (e.g. turkey tail).
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Part 3

Part 3 of 6:

Finding Features of the Hymenium or Spore Surface

1
Look at the underside of your specimen and locate the spore surface. Note its appearance. The most common types are:
- Lamellae—Gills on the underside; relatively thin and delicate.
- Pores—A spongy surface with tubes, which can be seen as holes.
- Teeth—Icicle-like structures which hang downward.
- False Gills—Flesh ridges on the hymenium; can look like gills (e.g. chanterelle).
- Gleba—The interior spore-producing flesh of puffballs.
2
Locate where the gills meet the stem and note the method of attachment.
- Free—Gills do not reach stem.
- Adnexed—Gills attach only where the stem and cap meet.
- Adnate—Attached to stem for full width of the gill (straight).
- Decurrent—Gills run down the stem.
- Collarium—Gills do not reach stem but are joined by a circular collar.
- Sinuate—Smooth notch in the gills before slightly running down the stem.
3
Check the gills to see how they are laid out under the cap. Are they:
- Crowded—Gills in extreme proximity.
- Close—Gills close together but with defined spacing between.
- Subdistant—Gills spaced out moderately.
- Distant—Large gaps between the gills.
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Part 4

Part 4 of 6:

Identifying the Stipe or Stem

1
Determine position of stem. Examine the underside where the stem and cap meet.
- Central—Located in the center of the cap.
- Excentric—Offset to the center of the cap.
- Lateral—Stem located in line with the cap (not vertical).
- Sessile—Stem not present.
2
Determine the shape of the stem. Be sure to locate the base, which may be underground or covered.
- Equal—Equal width down the stem.
- Clavate—Stem gradually gets larger at the base, resembling a club.
- Bulbous—Base of stem, often covered, resembles an onion.
- Volva—Cup-like sac at the base of the stem (remains of a universal veil).
- Tapered—Stem gets narrower toward the base.
- Radicating—A stem with a thin root-like structure at the base.
3
Look at the texture and appearance of the stem. Notice the color and any surface features. Stem texture is often important in boletes (stem and cap mushrooms with pores).
- Smooth—Smooth to the touch.
- Scabers—Small stubble like fibers along the stem; notice the color.
- Glandular Dots—Pigmented dots on the stem, a key feature in identifying Suillus mushrooms.
- Scales—A wart-like or scaly pattern.
- Reticulate—A net-like pattern or wrinkled appearance on the stem.
4
Examine the interior. Using a sharp knife, make an incision along the length of the stem and along the cap if needed; the goal is to view the cross section of the mushroom.
- Solid—An even consistency.
- Tubular—Hollow tube through center.
- Hollow—Thin outer walls.
- Fibrous—A thread-like interior.
5
Locate the partial veil, if present. A partial veil covers the mushroom's spore surface when young and tears in maturity, often leaving evidence behind. This is not a feature in all mushrooms. Look on the stem and locate any remains of a veil; the remains can take different forms such as:
- Sheath—Extension of stems outer layer; sticks up like a vase.
- Ring Zone—A mark or faint ring left by the partial veil.
- Flaring—Stiff ring sticks outward.
- Pendant—Skirt-like ring.
- Cortinate—Cobweb-like fibers.
- Slimy—Some mushrooms have a coat of slime as a veil.
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Part 5

Part 5 of 6:

Considering Growth Patterns and Spores

1
Examine the whole structure of the specimen and the area for others. Note the pattern in which they grow. Typical patterns include:
- Cespitose—Growing in dense clusters, with stems fused or packed together (e.g. Enoki).
- Gregarious—Growing separately but in small clusters.
- Solitary—Always found alone or scattered in an area.
- Fairy Ring—Growing radially outward in patches or around a tree.
- Imbricate—Shelf-like, growing on sides of wood in close proximity, often overlapping.
2
Take a spore print. Unless the spores are apparent on or around the mushroom, you will need a spore print to determine the color. To take a print, you will need a sharp knife, paper, and a container. Once you have properly taken a print, you can easily identify the color of the spores left behind.
- Make sure the mushroom in question is mature enough to deposit spores and not too old.
- Use a clean knife to separate the cap from the stem as precisely as possible.
- Place the cap, spore-side down, on paper.
- Cover with a container to limit airflow. Allow spores to settle on the paper for a few hours.
- If the mushroom is dried or drying out, place a slightly damp napkin on the cap; be sure not to wet the paper or the spores will be difficult to discern.
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Part 6

Part 6 of 6:

Noticing Other Characteristics

1
Check to see if the flesh bruises a certain color. Certain mushrooms will bruise blue or other colors when the inner flesh is exposed to air. This is a key identifying feature in certain fungi. To determine busing potential:
- Make sure the mushroom is young enough to reliably test.
- Find an untouched spot on your specimen’s cap or stem.
- While the mushroom is still fresh, either make a small incision or a depression with your finger.
- Wait and watch the mark you made; if it doesn't bruise within 10-15 minutes, it most likely will not bruise any color.
- Examine the color of bruising. Blue is the most common but certain species will bruise black or red.
2
Check for any latex produced by the mushroom. Some mushrooms will bleed a milky substance known as latex. The entire genus Lactarius has this feature; they're commonly known as milk caps. The latex can be a variety of colors and may react with the skin or air changing colors. To determine if a mushroom will produce this substance:
- Make sure the mushroom is fresh enough to produce latex; often older specimens will dry out.
- Use a knife to make a small incision, either where the stem and gills meet or where the gills meet the cap.
- Watch for latex to ooze out. If it does, watch it continuously 3-5 minutes. Notice any color change. Then check back after 1 or 2 hours to see if any reaction has occurred.
- You will want to note the original latex and skin color, as a key feature can be the color reaction between them. For example, a mushroom with white latex and skin may later be stained purple from this contact.
3
Notice any particular odors. While not a key feature in all mushrooms, the smell can be an identifying characteristic. Sniff the mushroom and note the odor it gives off. Slice a portion of the cap or stem if the smell is faint.
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Tips

Take pictures of these features when in the field.
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Another feature is the consistency of the flesh; check if it's brittle or malleable.
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Knowing the stages of maturity for mushroom species can help you identify them. Many mushroom cap shape and margins change as they age. For example, a cap may begin as hemispherical and smooth margins, but as it matures may become flat and wavy.
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Warnings

Do not forage anything you’re unsure of.
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Consuming the wrong mushroom can kill you.
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Many deadly mushrooms have gills with rusty brown spores or white gills and a volva.
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Even if you properly identify a mushroom, only consume a small portion to see if you react.
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