Terms: Sabropic, Parasitic and Mycorrhizal. Common Names vs Scientific Names. Labels and what they mean: Edible, Poisonous or Toxic (or Deadly), and Not Recommended. The last category is the most variable, because a mushroom that is not considered palatable in one culture may be enjoyed in another for its taste and/or texture or culturally accepted medicinal benefits. Another point to keep in mind is that even with highly prized choice edibles, like chanterelles or Grifola frondosa, individuals may not be able to tolerate them. There are also some people who can eat the mushrooms on their own, but have a reaction when consuming them with alcohol. This is not a comprehensive survey of all the edible and all the poisonous mushrooms you may encounter, but rather a introductory sampling of some of the more common edible fungi and their toxic look-a-likes. It is important to keep a proper perspective on the subject of toxic fungi. Only about 50 of the roughly 2000 that are most frequently included in field guides are listed as poisonous. Of these, far fewer still are considered fatally toxic. Rather than spend too much time worrying about whether or not the mushrooms you see are poisonous or edible, learn to identify the 50 or so toxic mushrooms and the 100-200 that are considered choice or at least worth eating. Then expand your interests to the majority of mushrooms which deserve to be appreciated for things other than their edibility: such as the role they play in their habitat. 001