Collecting Fungi

Please note that it is illegal to collect fungi from protected areas in Queensland, such as National Parks, Reserves and State Forests. Hefty fines can apply unless you have a special scientific or educational research permit. To collect from private property, you must first get permission from the land owner.

Edibility of Australian Fungi

Not enough is known about many fungi in Australia to determine their species and whether or not they are poisonous. The QMS is unable to advise on the edibility of any mushroom.
We strongly recommend that you do NOT eat any mushrooms found in the wild.

The following documents are provided to assist with collecting, recording and preserving fungi.

General information

• Collecting and preserving fungi specimens – Download [.pdf]
  Megan Prance and Nigel Fechner; 2017

Health and Safety

• Ticks and tick-borne diseases – protecting yourself – Download [.pdf]
  A review of current information for bush regenerators, bush workers and people who love the bush.
  Published by the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators – http://www.aabr.org.au/

For on a Foray

• Foray Sheet – Download [.pdf]
  Used out in the field. This is where information is noted about the specimen as it is collected.
• Numbered Tags with Measuring Scale, 1-40 – Download [.pdf]
  Tags to use when you photograph the specimen.
  The Numbered Tags are made to scale. Do NOT reduce or enlarge when printing them.
• Numbered Tags with Measuring Scale, 1-10 repeated – Download [.pdf]
  Tags to use when you photograph the specimen.
  The Numbered Tags are made to scale. Do NOT reduce or enlarge when printing them.
• Tags with Measuring Scale, not numbered – Download [.pdf]
  Tags to use when you photograph the specimen.
  The Numbered Tags are made to scale. Do NOT reduce or enlarge when printing them.
• For more information about Forays, see Foray Guideline Documents.

Processing

• Specimen Label – Download [.pdf]
  This is used to tag specimens while they are having spore prints done. The labels go with the specimens onto the drier and are then put into the zip lock bag with the dried specimen and spore print.
• Simple Fungus Record Sheet – Download [.pdf]
  A sheet on which you can write all the specimen details. This goes into the zip-lock bag with the specimen, specimen label and spore print.
• Detailed Fungus Record Sheet – Download [.pdf]
  A sheet on which you can write all the specimen details. This goes into the zip-lock bag with the specimen, specimen label and spore print.
• Ramaria Description Sheet – Download [.pdf]
  A sheet designed specifically for describing the genus Ramaria. Dr Tony Young is studying Queensland Ramaria and would appreciate your specimens and notes. See document for details.

Identification Aids

• Identifying Fungi by the Sieve Method – Download [.pdf]
• Macrofungi Description Aid – Download [.pdf]
  This is extracted from A Guide to Collecting and Preserving Fungal Specimens for the Queensland Herbarium – see “General Information” above.