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What are wild mushrooms?
Wild mushrooms or toadstools are the fruiting bodies of fungi, a complex group of organisms whose important role is often unappreciated by gardeners. A small minority of fungi cause plant diseases, but most are beneficial. They break down plant waste and return nutrients to the soil. Without the fungi we would all be buried in dead wood!
Fungi are formed of a mass of threads called mycelium. Individual threads live in soil, leaf litter, around plant root systems or in decaying wood and are usually invisible, but in the higher fungi, the group that includes wild mushrooms, they come together to form the fruiting bodies (the actual 'mushroom' or 'toadstool'). Most wild mushrooms are classified in the phylum Basidiomycota, a few such as the morels (Morchella species) are in the Ascomycota.
Some wild mushrooms are edible, but it is essential that they are identified correctly before picking and eating, since others are extremely poisonous.
Conservation
Fungi are a part of the natural biodiversity and their conservation has become a matter of concern. Mycologists (people who study fungi) have noted that some species are becoming less frequent. The major reason for this is a loss of natural habitats. There is also an increasing amount of harvesting of wild mushrooms as food. It is not proven that harvesting, or the damage associated with it, is a cause of this decline, but it is sometimes suspected that it may be. While there is some uncertainty about the cause and extent of the decline, it is sensible to limit collection, and the British Mycological Society and Natural England (formerly English Nature) have issued guidelines (see below). There is also concern for the many species of insects, mainly flies and beetles, that develop as larvae in wild mushrooms. Those that are specific to the more desirable species of edible mushrooms could be at risk if they are over-collected from a site.
Summary of current guidelines
Visit www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/files/conservation_policy.pdf for the full conservation policy.
Above all else always identify wild mushrooms correctly. You can learn from more experienced collectors and enthusiasts, so why not join a local foray group; visit www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/files/Network_GROUP_contacts_WEB.pdf for more details.
Obtain permission to collect from the landowner.
For scientific purposes, collect only sufficient material for identification. Do not collect rare or protected species (some are Red Data Book listed).
Collect no more than 1.5kg (3.3lb) per visit or no more than half the fruiting bodies present, whichever is less.
Do not destroy poisonous species.
Remember that even species regarded as edible may provoke allergic reactions in some individuals. Sample with caution.