There are over 200 different varieties of mushrooms growing all over the United States. A multitude of them can be found growing in the many forests in and around the Bay Area.
There are various societies dedicated to mushroom-enthusiasts, individuals who devote their time to discovering the many different types of fungi that grow in the forest. These societies promote the use of mushrooms for countless foods like soups, salads, hot dishes, sandwiches, omelets and in medicines.
"I like to connect with nature, so my aunt and I went into the forest and spent hours searching for mushrooms," junior Alexandra Souverneva said. "It was quite an adventure. There are hundreds of them growing everywhere and we gathered a lot. I think anyone would love mushroom picking."
In California, collecting mushrooms is restricted on many public grounds due to the need to preserve nature. However, a handful of parks allow and even greatly encourage mushroom picking.
One place that is not far from San Francisco that allows people to come gather mushrooms is Salt Point State Park in Sonoma County.
"I went mushroom hunting with my family a while back," sophomore Anton
Kanza said. "It was a pretty cool experience. We went to the forest and found many different types of mushrooms growing in the area we went to."
There are multiple dangers that confront mushroom gatherers. Many hunts for mushrooms in the forest can end tragically for individuals who lack knowledge regarding various types of mushrooms.
If people are unaware of what kind of mushrooms they have collected, they can experience dangerous side effects such as falling violently ill from food poisoning.
There are over 50 different species of local indigenous poisonous mushrooms that, if ingested, can lead to serious food poisoning and even death.
The Sonoma County Mycological Association is very persistent in urging mushroom gatherers to be extremely cautious before and after eating the mushrooms that they have recently collected.
The association encourages and advises people to refrain from consuming mushrooms that they have gathered if they are not entirely sure of the specific species they are about to consume.
"We do not eat the colorful mushrooms," Souverneva said. "Usually in nature, the brighter the color the mushroom has, the more dangerous and possibly fatal the mushroom is to consume."
Many mushrooms can contain contaminants or other types of bacteria from miscellaneous sources. It is always a good idea to consult an expert on different types of fungi before proceeding to eat the collected mushrooms.
"Smaller mushrooms are the yummiest," Souverneva said.
Another common danger when hunting for mushrooms is the possibility of finding a mushroom that is spoiled. Other wildlife in the forest also enjoy mushrooms as well, and will forage for mushrooms and eat them partially. This can make the mushrooms dangerous for human consumption.
Worms and spiders often build nests inside a mushroom, so it is especially important for gatherers to inspect each individual fungus by breaking it down the middle and checking for holes or tiny dark dots.
There are species of worms and other insects that release toxins into the mushrooms which could also lead to an extreme case of food poisoning.
For some individuals, mushroom gathering can be a spiritual, relaxing, educational and entertaining experience.
Bonding with nature, even in such a simple way as mushroom picking, offers an opportunity for people to experience the natural phenomena that the universe has to offer.
Mushroom gathering is a significant part of many cultures as well. For instance, mushroom hunting is a pastime that many Russian children participate in with their family and friends.
This activity has been around for many generations and is practiced by some, especially in eastern and northern Europe.
There are many opportunities for mushroom gathering in the Bay Area. For those who do not like to go out into nature and experience the outdoors, there are mycological societies that hold fungus fairs.
Fungi fairs are often hosted all over San Francisco and Berkeley. The fairs do not take place in the forest, but are rather held in buildings or on a designated street. People from all over Northern California come to these festivals to share their knowledge of mushrooms
Experts often give slide shows and lectures to interested gatherers on the different ways of forging, cooking and cultivating the multitude of fungi.
The cold and wet seasons in California are the most opportune times to venture out into the forest on a mushroom picking expedition with friends or family.
"I would recommend mushroom hunting for everyone," Souverneva said. "It's a great experience."
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