How to Identify New Zealand Forest Mushrooms

New Zealand forests have a wide array of mushrooms to be seen. Some can be poisonous, others harmless and some can be psychedelic hallucinogens. These fungi come in so many different types that not all of them look like typical mushrooms. Most have the cap and stem design, while others grow in a variety of shapes like twigs and cups. The best way to identify mushrooms, especially if you're into science, is by their Class or Order.

Instructions

1. 

   Learn which New Zealand mushrooms are psychedelic. Most of these mushrooms are in the Order Agaricales. One of the most common is called "Psilocybe subaeruginosa." It has a tan cap that sometimes lifts upwards with a raised bump in the middle. Its stem is white to grey with cream to brown gills. You'll find it along trails in the woods. "Psilocybe australiana" is a smaller cousin of this mushroom too, also psychedelic. These psychedelic types are illegal to own and consume in New Zealand.

2. 

   Identify the Hymenomycetes class. These include the psychedelic Agaricales as well as the Aphyllophorales decomposers (have no gills and include coral-looking fungi), as well as the Tremellales (jelly fungi). Jelly fungi are rubbery, mostly edible and have been spotted at Lake Waikaremoana. You'll find these on trees a lot.

3. 

   Identify the Gasteromycetes class. Most of the mushrooms in this Class don't have the cap and stem design. Some look like white balls on dead wood, some like tiny bird nests with white seeds inside them and some look like flowers and smell foul. Others look like orange or purple balls. Most of this class is not edible, so be wary and keep your distance.

4. 

   Identify the Discomycetes class. These mushrooms often look like cups and grow in bright colors. This Class also includes edible mushrooms like morels and truffles. Black truffles have been produced in Gisborne since 1993. Aside from black truffles, the rest of the mushrooms in this category may be more rare in New Zealand.

5. 

   Identify the Pyrenomycetes class. These include twig-like parasitic fungi, ones that look like charcoal, dead fingers and white tips growing out of a black body. Most of these are not edible as well. Charcoal fungus has been found at Te Mata Trust Park in Havelock North.

Tips & Warnings

• When you're out in the forest, bring a notepad and jot down descriptions of New Zealand mushrooms to be looked up online later. Also bring a camera to help identify them.

• Never eat a wild mushroom unless you're completely sure it's safe. It's always best to leave them alone.