There are several models of easily distinguishable, nontoxic mushrooms, with none more well-known compared to the morel-- a fungus, rather than a mushroom. While each has a distinct growing season and unique location, they each develop a family of delectable wild food items which are much sought after, like the French truffle.

The most distinguishable of the edible mushrooms is the puffball - a globe-shaped mushroom which can develop to soccer ball size, Gather further details (www.kentreporter.com) as well as features a delightfully woody flavour. The favorite growing site of this mushroom is on dung heaps, in wood chips and rotting tree mulch, and near sunlit pastures. It is best eaten prior to the interior actually starts to turn from good gray to brown to black. Make certain that the choice of yours is truly a puffball, and has no stalk growing within. It ought to be light-colored and firm inside. Puffballs begin to develop in early summer time and late spring, producing into the early fall.

The ensuing morel cousin would be the shaggy mane, a morel shaped mushroom with upward turning scales and a dusty brown color. It grows from spring until summer, to a level of 4-6", preferring meadows and air open to the mottled lighting of a woodland. Shaggy manes are distinguishable by their tendency to break easily when handled.

Chanterelles are yet another delicacy with a flavour not unlike morels. Although seen in fall and summer, they like similar soil conditions. Imagine a trumpet with its mouth facing skyward, and also you will have a photo of the camel to unsightly chanterelle mushroom.

Among the most unusually shaped fungi is the hen-of-the-woods, a development found at the foundation of decaying trees which seems almost the same to a reddish hen with ruffled tail feathers. This delightful mushroom can be discovered in early summer and late spring. Catch it early and young, although, to make sure that it hasn't created a woody texture.

Naturally, one of the earliest edible mushrooms stands out as the oyster mushroom which can often be discovered even as the snows only start to melt. Growing on the sides of old trees, these gorgeous white-colored clusters provide a beginning taste of the mushroom harvests to follow.

Some other mushrooms and fungi can be edible, such as shelf mushrooms, often realized growing on decaying trees in shaded woodlands. But, many of the standard umbrella type mushrooms have lethal sisters, while others (such as the shelf mushroom) may well be eatable, but have flat flavor, or tough textures.

Without a doubt, the many varieties of morels, however, are the most sought-after, during their mid-spring harvest season. Alongside them you are going to find a range of fungi, most of which aren't toxic, but aren't the equal of the morel as being an early spring crazy harvest treat.