Wild mushrooms grow in a wide variety of habitats and plays an important and beneficial role in the environment. These mushrooms play an important role of decay organisms, aiding in the breakdown of logs, leaves, stems and other organic debris.

Mushrooms help in recycling of essential nutrients and play an important role in good growth and survival of trees. Mycorrhizal mushrooms establish a relationship with roots of living trees that is mutually beneficial. All mushrooms, whether poisonous or edible can be admired for their beauty and the fantastic variety of form, color and texture.

It is sometimes difficult to segregate edible mushrooms with poisonous ones as they are very similar in appearance and may even grow in the same habitat. Edible mushrooms are safe as they don’t have any ill effects while poisonous mushrooms are known because someone ate them and became ill or died. There is no test or characteristic to distinguish edible from poisonous mushrooms.