{"id":18580,"date":"2022-08-10T16:15:19","date_gmt":"2022-08-10T14:15:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=17622"},"modified":"2022-08-10T17:04:14","modified_gmt":"2022-08-10T15:04:14","slug":"british-wild-mushroom-and-fungi-guide-how-to-identify-and-where-to-find","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/british-wild-mushroom-and-fungi-guide-how-to-identify-and-where-to-find\/","title":{"rendered":"British wild mushroom and fungi guide: how to identify and where to find"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Adele Nozedar\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 10 August 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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The British Isles is home to a staggering 15,000 species of wild mushrooms or fungi. These organisms\u00a0live almost everywhere in the UK but tend to grow more abundantly in woodland and grassland. For those who know little about fungi, the task of identifying them can be difficult so special care needs to be taken before picking or consuming any finds.<\/p>\n

Here is our guide to 10 of the most common wild mushroom species found in Britain, each with a few key details regarding where they grow, characteristics and whether they are edible or poisonous.<\/p>\n

To learn more about foraging safely and responsibly, take a look at our foraging guides<\/a> or consider taking a course<\/a> with an expert.<\/p>\n

Related read: the best mushroom identification books<\/a><\/p>\n

Mushroom picking and safety<\/h2>\n

If you are unsure whether a wild mushroom is safe to eat or not, seek advice from an expert. Eating a poisonous mushroom can be fatal \u2013 or at least make you feel very unwell, so don\u2019t risk it. There are many foraging courses you can join where you can be guided by an expert.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Most common British wild woodland mushroom species<\/h2>\n
1<\/span>

Oyster mushroom<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Pleurotus ostreatus. \/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Generally found in a tiered formation\u00a0on tree stumps, particularly beech.\u00a0Its shell-shaped cap varies in hue from cream to grey-blue, beneath which is a white underpart and short, stubby stem.<\/p>\n

Is\u00a0Oyster mushroom edible or poisonous?<\/h3>\n

Edible, with a delicate taste.<\/p>\n

More related content:<\/p>\n