Mushroom identifier
How to use the mushroom identifier
Seven simple steps — from a photo in the forest to an answer from foragers. The form takes a few minutes, and the more features you mark, the better the suggestions.
1 · cap from above
2 · from the side
3 · base of the stem- 1
Sign in
Sign in
You can post finds, comment and vote once you’ve signed in: with Google, email and password, or a link we send to your inbox. Your profile name appears under your post, and foragers’ replies show up in your account.
You can browse the finds feed and the mushroom cards without signing in.
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Take the right photos
Take the right photos
You’ll need three shots: the cap from above and slightly from the side, the underside (gills, pores or ridges) and the stem right down to its base. Dig the base out carefully: the death cap’s sac (volva) often hides in the leaf litter.
Shoot in daylight, without flash. Put a coin or keys next to the mushroom to show its size.
More: how to photograph a mushroom → - 3
Add the photos
Add the photos
The form has three slots: overall view, underside of the cap and base of the stem. JPG, PNG and HEIC up to 15 MB are fine — the site shrinks large phone photos before sending them.
We remove the location (GPS) from your photos, so nobody on the site can see your mushroom spots.
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Tell us where you found it
Tell us where you found it
Mark the place (forest, meadow, park…), the trees nearby, the region and the date. Trees are one of the most useful clues: many mushrooms grow only with certain trees, like the birch bolete with birch or the slippery jack with pine.
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Describe the mushroom
Describe the mushroom
What’s under the cap, cap size, colour when cut or pressed, smell, a ring on the stem and a sac at the base. Above the form you can see how many features you’ve filled in and how accurate the match will be.
Not sure? Choose “don’t know”. A feature you skip won’t spoil the match — a wrong one can.
Mushroom anatomy in photos: what to look for → - 6
Post it and see the suggestions
Post it and see the suggestions
Once you post, the site picks 2–3 similar species from the catalogue and shows how many features match, for example “5 of 6”. If a poisonous species even roughly fits, it comes first — even with a lower match.
The site’s suggestions are a hint, not a verdict. Your post appears straight away in the finds feed.
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Wait for the votes
Wait for the votes
Foragers vote for a species and leave comments. When five or more people vote for the same species and that’s at least two thirds of all votes, the find is marked “Confirmed” and the species goes into your collection.
We’ll let you know about new comments and the verdict in your account.
Already know what it is?
Start from the species card: under the photo there’s a “Share your find” button. The species will already be filled in, and if your features contradict it (gills instead of pores), the site gently warns you and suggests similar species.
Help others
The finds feed has a “Waiting for ID” filter. Know the species? Vote. Unsure? Say which photo would help. Just don’t suggest tasting it: edibility is for the species card, not a comment.
Put the identifier on your phone’s home screen
The identifier needs the internet. With no signal in the forest, take the photos now and post them later — you can set any date for the find.
A photo is no reason to eat a mushroom
Even “Confirmed” only means most foragers agreed on the species. It isn’t an expert opinion or a guarantee. When in doubt, leave it out. If you suspect poisoning, call 112.
Ready to try?
Your first find takes a few minutes.