Foraging
Intro
Foraging, whether for emergency or recreation, should always be done with the upmost caution. There are many plants and mushrooms capable of doing damage to the body in several different ways; it is vital to take time to understand your local area and common imposters of plants[1] you may want to consume.
Detailed below are common qualities to avoid, important techniques to keep in mind, and information on conducting a "universal edibility test."
Qualities and Other Things to Avoid
First and foremost, if you are not 110% confident in you identification of a mushroom, it is an excellent rule of thumb to just leave it be. If you do find yourself feeling confident and trying a mushroom, anything that burns similar to chili should be avoided, as it is most likely poisonous.[2] There are also several false statements and "rules" on the internet that are simply not true and could potentially cause a lot of harm.
- ‘It’s ok if you can peel the cap.’ This is false; It is easy to peel a Death Cap.
- ‘Mushrooms growing on wood are safe.’ No, not all of them are, and some are deadly, like the appropriately named Funeral Bell.
- ‘If you see other animals eating them they are ok.’ This rule is not true, as many animals can eat poisonous-to-humans fungi with no ill effects.[2]
It's also worth avoiding anything with the following qualities, unless you know for sure it is okay to eat:
- Milky sap
- Fine hairs
- Spines
- Umbrella-shaped flowers
- Shiny, waxy leaves
- Plants bearing green and white berries [3]
Important and Useful Techniques
When you do stumble across local forgeables, do not get excited and harvest them all! If you wish to sustainably forage into the future, it is important to remove crowded plants first, and leave as many as possible to come back next year. Spreading the seeds from foraging can be incredibly helpful as well. Once those new plants are established, you
Universal Edibility Test
- ↑ Alderleaf Wilderness College: https://www.wildernesscollege.com/wild-edible-plants.html#:~:text=Test%20them%20before%20you%20collect,foods%20and%20other%20critical%20skills!
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Wild Food UK (Scroll past broken image): https://www.wildfooduk.com/articles/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-poisonous-and-edible-mushrooms/
- ↑ Masterclass: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/universal-edibility-test