Who says I can't grow mushrooms...

[percy charlie]

every edible mushroom has a poision clone that looks just like the edible one, if you didnt plant the mushroom sporn or chuck edible mushrooms on the heap dont eat it just in case as unless you eat them you will not be able to tell if your not an expert and a poorly or dead hey wayne is not a good thing im sure you agree. but looking at size the mushrooms are growing your veg will be huge if your useing that horse poo.

[Flummery]

There might be litle elves living in them? Where did I put me pills???

[Pootle]

We had magic mushrooms growing on a field near uni - never tried them myself, but they were legendary!

Round here its mostly field mushrooms, horse mushrooms, puffballs and ink caps. All very tasty! If we're lucky when we go cycling in the Forest of Dean we get chanterelles too - they are the most delicious thing ever. I'd love to find a 'Chicken of the Woods' or one of those enormous ones that looks a bit like a giant sponge.

Wild food is fantastic and as well as our mushies we get damsons, crab apples, sloes, blackberries and pears from the hedgerows around here

There is a great 'Food for Free' book all about foraging...

[Headfry]

Laccaria amethystea

Had the above on toast- yummy
Went on guided walk, would NEVER eat anything I was the smallest bit unsure of!

Purple! but ok to eat, I would never have thought that!

[SueA]

Oh my God Headfry! I would never have eaten those, they look like they would send you loopy at the very least!
I think Wayne's look like shaggy ink caps too but I wouldn't risk eating them even so.
We went on a guided mushroom walk a few years ago & there seemed to be far more types you shouldn't eat than those you could so I've never dared eat any I've found just in case.

[Flummery]

Are they what my Father in law calles Wood Blewits? He reckons they are a great feed.

[Paulottie]

Amethyst deceivers everywhere in the woods here....must say I only collect them if there are no chanterelle, morels or ceps about. but a good fall back.

I am a big mushroom hunter, but I was shown by old hands. I have tried many, but I mainly stick to the 1/2 doz or so I really like. I don't suggest anyone just look them up in a book as it is not always easy to tell. I certainly wouldn't give a definitive diagnosis without holding the shroom. Unfortunately this country does not have a pharmacy service like France , where they will identify them for you.

Wayne if you can confirm them to be Inkcaps ... They are certainly tasty but Flummery is right, one of the main two species found is particularly reactive with alcohol ( infact they make Antabuse from them!)