Special Sub-Topic: North American Mushrooms Click Here To Play: North American Mushrooms

Which mushrooms ooze a milklike liquid when cut or broken?

Lactarii. Named for the Latin 'lactare' meaning 'to secrete milk'.

Which of these grow in clusters on decaying leaves or wood under broad-leaved trees?

Little Wheel Mushroom. They really do look like little wheels.

Many, but not all, of the hallucinogenic mushrooms belong to this colorful family?

Strophariaceae. Possession of the Cuban Psilocybe, which grows in Florida and along the Gulf Coast, is illegal in most states.

The soft gills of the mushrooms in this family separate cleanly from the underside of the cap when you press on them with a finger?

Paxilli. Found under conifers or in mixed woods.

This common inhabitant of lawns is so fragile that it often lasts less than a day?

Brownie Cap. Usually found in grassy areas, but sometimes in open woods.

When stepped on, they explode with a pop, then squirt out the powdery spore 'dust'?

Puffballs. Some puffballs are choice eating, but there are poisonous look-alikes.

Which of the following is a Jelly Fungi?

Witches' Butter. The others are Cup Fungi.

Which of the following is a Cup Fungi?

Orange Peel. The others are Jelly and Flask.

Many species of these contain deadly poisons that attack the liver and kidneys and have no known antidote?

Amanitas. People often confuse the poisonous ones with edible species or wrongly believe there is a way to rid them of their poisons.

It is safe to eat mushrooms found in the wild if you are unsure what they are?

false & f & no & n. No wild mushroom should be eaten in any amount or in any form unless it has been identified by an expert and declared safe.