Identifying Wild Mushrooms Using AI
While visiting our daughter in the Seattle area this week, I came across several clusters of wild mushrooms in her front yard and in a garden planter box on her deck. Unsure of their identification and therefore their safety, I took a number of photos and using Google image search learned their possible (likely?) identity. The one in the above and below photos have been ID'd as Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma Fasciculare), considered poisonous.
The second cluster is likely Galerina marginata, also poisonous (see below image). While I am fairly comfortable with Google's results, I wanted to see how PI.ai would do. I thought my prompts and its response would be instructive, so I have shared them here.
Hypholoma fasciculare, also known as sulphur tuft or clustered woodlover, is a common wood-rotting mushroom that grows in large clusters on deadwood, stumps, or decaying logs. It's widely distributed and easily recognizable by its sulphur-yellow caps and greenish spore color.
While the toxin in Hypholoma fasciculare has been studied for potential medicinal uses, it's considered inedible and potentially poisonous for humans. It's important to avoid confusion with other similar species, and to always exercise caution when foraging for wild mushrooms.
Did you encounter this mushroom on a recent nature walk?
If I share several different views of a particular mushroom can you help identify it for me?
Absolutely, I can certainly help you identify a mushroom based on multiple images! Providing photos from different angles and highlighting key identifying features can really help with the identification process. When taking photos, it's helpful to capture the cap, gills or pores, stem, and any other distinctive features like color, shape, or texture. Feel free to share the photos with me, and I'll do my best to help you determine the species.
How do I share them?
There are a few ways you can share photos with me:
Let me know if you have any trouble with these steps, and I'll do my best to assist you!
It turns out that the AI can use Facebook image URLs.?
Here is that image:
Please use caution. Even when providing images, the AI can be wrong. Twice it responded with erroneous results. Here is how it analysed two of the photo links I provided:
This one looks like a member of the bolete family, possibly the Bitter Bolete (Tylopilus felleus). It's characterized by its brown cap, reticulated stalk, and spongy pores underneath the cap.
The Bitter Bolete is known for its bitter taste (as the name suggests), and while it's not toxic, it's generally not considered a choice edible mushroom due to its strong flavor.
It's worth noting that there are many different species of bolete mushrooms that can look quite similar, and accurate identification often requires examining spores and other microscopic features. So, it's always a good idea to err on the side of caution when foraging for wild mushrooms.
I pointed out to PI.ai that the mushroom has gills not sponge-like underside. Also, that Google image search returned Galerina marginata. It responded, somewhat sheepishly, I can imagine...
Oh, I see! Thank you for providing that additional detail about the gills. If the mushroom in question has gills, then it's definitely not a bolete. Galerina marginata, also known as the Deadly Galerina or Funeral Bell, is a possible identification based on the photo.
Galerina marginata is a highly toxic mushroom that contains the same deadly toxins as the infamous Death Cap mushroom. It has a brown cap and grows on wood, and can be distinguished from other similar-looking mushrooms by its ring on the stalk, brown spores, and growth on wood.
Given the potentially deadly toxicity of Galerina marginata, it's essential to exercise extreme caution and not consume any mushroom unless you're absolutely sure of its identity.
I provided it another photo link, this one showing more of the gill structure under the cap.
Thanks for providing another view of the gills! This photo further supports the identification of Galerina marginata, as the gills appear to be adnate (broadly attached to the stalk) and have a brownish color. The stalk also appears to have a ring, which is a characteristic feature of Galerina marginata.
Again, it's important to emphasize that Galerina marginata is a deadly poisonous mushroom, and accurate identification is essential for anyone interested in foraging for wild mushrooms. If you're unsure about the identity of any mushroom, it's always best to leave it alone and consult with an expert for guidance.
Referring to the earlier cluster image, it noted...
It's worth noting that Galerina marginata often grows in clusters like this, so finding multiple specimens together can be a helpful clue for identification. However, this can also make it more dangerous, as it's easy to accidentally gather a toxic mushroom along with edible species if you're not paying close attention.
Once again, I'd like to emphasize the importance of exercising caution and avoiding any mushrooms that you're not 100% certain about. With practice and experience, you'll become more confident in your identification skills and can enjoy the thrill of foraging for wild mushrooms while staying safe.