COMMON Good or Bad? HEALTH HAZARD! Mushrooms have a long history, both in folklore and For every edible mushroom, in the kitchen. Some mushrooms, or “toadstools,” there are lookalikes that may have a dim reputation with humans, but many forest Mushrooms animals eat even the poisonous varieties. Much of a be deadly. Many mushroom mushroom is water, but many have some nutritional of INDIANA STATE PARKS compounds cause allergic value. reactions. Some people develop severe The many different forms result in many uses reactions to mushrooms over time. The three by people. Humans use mushrooms for medicine, mushrooms shown below are poisonous food-and-beverage preparation, biological pest control to humans. There are other types of mush- and dye. rooms not shown here that may be poison- Mushroom? Fungus? ous as well. Mushrooms are just one type of fungus. They are Remember, “when it doubt, throw it out.” non-flowering and can grow in a variety of habitats. Chitin, a support protein usually found in insects and Amanita e other animals, gives fungus its shape. Mushrooms and other fungi reproduce by small dust-like particles called Appearing a ghostly white in spores. Fungi lack chlorophyll, and survive by absorb- color, members of this mushroom ing moisture and nutrients through an underground family are seen alone or in small mass of filaments. “egg” sac groups on the woodland floor. remnant Remnants of the egg-like sac at Can I Hunt Mushrooms at State Park Properties? Mushroom hunting for individual use is permitted the base of the stipe (stalk) on state park properties, and no license is required identify them as members of the to do so. Picking mushrooms for sale/commercial poisonous amanita group. use at a state park property is NOT permitted. Regulations require the use of marked trails on Fly Agaric e state park properties unless an activity is licensed Also from the poisonous or exempted from a license. Mushroom hunting and berry-picking are exempt from licensing, so it is OK amanita family, this fungus has to leave marked trails to look for mushrooms on state a reddish or yellow-orange park properties. Use caution and move carefully cap with white patches. The so you don’t disturb wildlife or native plants as you patches are remnants of the search. egg-like sac in which it develops. Some restrictions may apply in some seasons when hunting or other management activities are underway at reservoirs; check at the property office before you Jack O’Lantern e venture out. This brightly colored but poison- Restrictions may vary at state forests and state fish & ous fungus is the same orange- wildlife areas. Contact the property office before you go yellow as its namesake. This afield. fungus possesses one odd If you plan to mushroom hunt on private property, it characteristic. When it is gathered is important to obtain landowner permission first. fresh and taken into a dark room, the gills Indiana Deptartment of Natural Resources under the cap will often emit an eerie, green- The mission of the Interpretive Services is to provide informa- ish glow. tion and offer interpretive experiences with Indiana’s natural Division of State Parks and cultural resources to visitors, staff and a diverse public. interpretiveservices.IN.gov 7/2017 Morel Bird’s Nest Splash Cups Giant Puffballs The morel, found throughout North These tiny fungi are aptly One of the most America, is probably the best known named. They resemble bird spectacular of the edible mushrooms. Ranging nests that contain little eggs. members of the in color from black to blonde, these The “eggs” are actually small fungi family, this tasty fungi can grow to be a foot sacs that contain the spores. mushroom can tall. Most of the time, however, When raindrops fall and hit grow to weigh these “sponge” or “honeycomb” the cup or “nest,” the eggs are 10 pounds and mushrooms are 3 to 5 inches tall. splashed out and dispersed. These fungi measure more The best time for morel hunting is can be found growing on decaying twigs, saw- than 20 inches across. When the flesh is firm April and May. Morel hunting requires dust or straw. Look carefully—they only reach and white throughout, puffballs are edible. How- a slow pace, an eye for detail and a about a half-inch in diameter. ever, when the puffball matures, the flesh turns lot of patience. Although morels are brown. A drop of rain, a raccoon’s searching often found in association with dead paw or another disturbance to a “ripe” puffball elms, tulip trees and beech-maple Mushroom Vocabulary causes the release of countless spores. forests, morels have been known to suddenly appear in front yards, too. Pileus or Cap Sulfur Shelf Also called “chicken of the Shaggy/Mane/Coprinus woods,” this fungus is unmis- Often found pushing its way up and takable. Characterized by an out of lawns, this species is also con- Spores extremely colorful orange Pores sidered edible. It must be cooked top and bright yellow bottom, and eaten quickly after gathering. If only the tender edges of the too much time passes, the cap will Stipe or Stalk Gills shelf are gathered for eating. liquefy into a black, inky mess. That This fungus becomes indigestible is the reason it’s also called “inky as it ages and is known to cause cap fungi.” A word of caution—you an allergic reaction, which may should not consume alcohol within a include causing swollen lips in some day or two of eating inky cap fungi. The people. It is most often seen growing on dead mushrooms deactivate an enzyme in Mycelium or Hyphae tree trunks, logs and stumps in late summer. the human body that would otherwise detoxify the alcohol. Although this fun- Artist’s Conk gus is fragile, it has been seen pushing Earthstars This is a famous fungus to some cre- its way up through asphalt. These are a small version ative people. The white surface un- of giant puffballs. derneath bruises easily, changing to a Turkey Tail Fungus The outer layer of dark brown. A drawing can be etched Look for this extremely com- earthstars splits in this underside of the fungus mon fungus on dead trees into rays that and will, with drying and careful and decaying logs. As a type arch back and lift handling, remain visible for a long of “shelf” fungus, its various the earthstar. This time. One old woodsman sketched his colored bands clearly reveal how it got makes it easier for the wind to carry small puffs log cabin on a conk, and he claims the its name. of spores to new habitats. drawing lasted more than 40 years.