Let’s go mushrooming
Before starting
Leave every presumption of considering ourselves experts in mushrooms at home. Our collection must be responsible and not indiscriminate, to preserve the forests and our own safety.
Mushrooms are a real delicacy but we have to remember that they play a very intense and essential role towards the wellbeing of woods. Without mushrooms, woods would be destined to wither and disappear
1
Do not use rakes or other tools.
Do not use rakes or other tools to move or scratch the undergrowth. It will destroy the layer of underground mycelium, the network of filaments which represent the real plant that produces the “fruits”, our mushrooms.
2
Use rigid and aerated baskets.
Use rigid and aerated baskets; they allow the good preservation of our specimens and the dispersal of spores.
3
Avoid mushrooms which are too young, too old or mouldy.
Avoid mushrooms which are too young, too old or mouldy; gathering immature mushrooms limits the spread of spores (seeds ) and makes harder their secure identification. This is why the collection of Amanita Caesarea in the closed ovule state is forbidden.
4
Limit ourselves to gather the quantities needed.
Limit ourselves to gather the quantities needed for consumption. Respect the maximum daily collection established by the region or mountain community.
5
If there are any doubts, you must discard any mushroom.
For a correct identification, contact the expert mycologists at the Department of Prevention of Local Health Authority.
6
Do not carry together.
Do not carry edible mushrooms together with unknown or poisonous mushrooms.
7
The mushroom must be gathered complete.
The mushroom must be gathered complete with all its parts, to allow the correct determination of the species.
8
Do not damage poisonous mushrooms.
Do not damage poisonous mushrooms or those that you do not know; they perform essential functions for the maintenance of the biological balance of the forest.
9
Do not trust the identification.
Do not trust the identification of mushrooms made only with the use of tables or pictures.
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