'The Magic of Mushrooms' ... November Mushroom Exhibition in Rome

It's always fascinating to discover just how many varieties there are of a certain food. Mushrooms are a great example of this, considering the ubiquitous nature of the champignon, button and portobello varieties. (Incidentally these are all the same species - agaricus bisporus.) 

You might be forgiven for thinking a cooked mushroom is comparable to a slug. Don't. Not all mushrooms are the same.

The exhibition contained over 200 different species of mushroom and other funghi collected in Lazio and the neighbouring regions.

We met this nice man, who very kindly gave us a little guided tour of some of the most interesting mushrooms. 

Clouded Agaric (clitocybe nebularis). 

So called because its cap resembles the interstellar cloud.

 Sulphur Tuft. (Hypholoma fasciculare) 

Don't eat this mushroom unless you want to see it again very soon.

This mushroom is called 'The Miller'  (Clitopilus prunulus). 

It smells of flour. 

We went for a walk in the woods...

...just kidding! This was an installation at the back of the hall.  Very impressive. 

Paolo. He's such a fun-gi.

 Parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera). 

So called because it looks like - you guessed it - a parasol.

This is very nice grilled with a splash of olive oil.

Caesar's Mushroom, or in Italian, ovolo buono. (Amanita caesarea). A highly prized (and highly priced) mushroom native to southern Europe and North Africa. This mushroom is excellent eaten raw, sliced finely with parmesan shavings and a bit of lemon juice, salt and pepper. Ottimo.

Deadly skullcap. (Galerina marginata.) Eating this cute, innocent looking mushroom will 'probably result in death'. 

Best mushroom collection practices. Don't collect mushrooms in a plastic bag, because it causes them to decompose much quicker. Pick mushrooms with the stem intact, because without it, it is even harder to ID them once you get them home. Also, leave the toxic mushrooms be, they are just as happy living in the forest as their tasty counterparts.

 So...what's your favourite funghi?

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Visiting information

The Mostra di Funghi is an annual event organised by the Association of Mycology and the Office of Environmental Policy of the Municipality of Rome.

This year (2011) the mushroom exhibition was held on the 5th and 6th November in Rome in the beautiful orangery of San Sisto (Piazza di Porta Metronia 2). It was open from 10 am to 18.30 and entrance was free. 

It is about a 15-20 minute walk from the nearest tube station (Circo Massimo or San Giovanni). This is the rainy season, so take a brolly.