How can you tell a safe mushroom from a lethal one

A.� You must be really sure you've identified a mushroom correctly before deciding it's safe to eat.�Tales that you can just�peel�a mushroom�to make�it �edible, �or that poisonous ones turn blue when you touch with a penny, �are�just that�-�they're old wives' tales.

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Q.� Which are the most poisonous ones

A.� Death Cap is lethally poisonous in even tiny quantities. It is a broad-leafed woodland species which has a green cap, and grows to about 4ins tall. A small amount of this mushroom can cause liver or kidney failure, but it does not resemble most edible species.

Destroying Angel is also very poisonous in the smallest quantities. It is quite rare and is found in woodland. It has a white cap and stalk and looks quite innocent, although again, it is dissimilar to most edible varieities.

Panther Cap is the third member of the Amanita family, which is highly toxic and can kill. It has a brown cap flecked with white and grows mostly in conifer woodland.

False Fairy Ring is a small mushroom which grows in circles like the edible fairy ring. Superficially the two are identical, but the gills on the poisonous variety run down the stalk, while those on the edible variety curl under the cap.

Yellow Stainer is not truly poisonous but can result in hospitalisation. It looks very like the field mushroom but can cause vomiting and diarrrhoea. One way of checking is to slightly bruise any field mushroom, and throw it away if the flesh turns yellow or smells of carbolic.

Common Ink Cap contains a chemical which reacts strongly with alcohol, so only teetotallers are truly safe.

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Q.� What are the best mushrooms to pick

A.� If you're a wild-mushroom-picking novice, Hedgehog Fungus is one of the easiest varieties to find. It has distinctive spikey gills and is found in most woodland areas.

Chanterelle is a fluted yellow trumpet, commonly found in Scotland.

Cep, also known as porcini, is actually improved by drying. It has a brown cap and a thick white stalk.

Parasol is about a foot high and looks a bit like a frilly umbrella. It's frequently fried in butter and served on toast.

Giant puffballs are an easy species to identify, usually in nettle beds.

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Q.� How many different sorts of mushrooms exist

A.� There are around 3,000 species, of which 50 are edible, and only a minority are truly poisonous.

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Q.� What's the difference between a cultivated mushroom and a wild one

A.� You usually buy cultivated mushrooms in supermarkets. They are grown in germ-free compost in the dark and their size is dictated by when they are picked. Wild mushrooms grow in fields and are usually gathered in the autumn.

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Q.� How do you prepare mushrooms

A.� Because they absorb moisture, avoid washing or soaking them. Wipe the caps with a clean damp cloth or paper towel and slice them into equal-sized pieces so they cook evenly.

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Q. What do you need to go picking

A.� A good field guide is pretty essential. Most areas can yield between 30 to 40 different species, so you need to know what to look for. Look for easily recognisable species such as Giant Puffballs or Hedgehog Fungus. You should also seek the landowner's permisison before starting. You can learn more from the local WIldlife Trust (www.raptor-rambles.co.uk) or buy a book on mushrooms, such as The Practical Mushroom Encyclopaedia by Peter Jordan.

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by Katharine MacColl