What is a toadstool?
Are toadstools merely resting spots for tired toads? Think again! Toadstools hold an important position in our wizarding world. We use them in everything from potions to prized potted planters, from the darkest draughts to decorative door-stoppers. If you look around you will be sure to find a toadstool or two lurking nearby.

What is a toadstool and how can you identify one of these hidden treasures? A toadstool can be defined as a poisonous mushroom. They are easily identified by their umbrella shaped cap and stem form. While they are usually easily spotted, a novice hunter should be wary and always carry a detailed toadstool encyclopaedia with them. This will help identify the differences between mundane mushrooms and terrific toadstools and give even the greenest of beginners a sense of confidence.

Keep in mind that ingesting toadstools is extremely dangerous and these fabulous fungi should be treated with the greatest respect. If you find yourself questioning whether or not what you have is a toadstool or mushroom, repeat the motto experts use in the field, "When in doubt, throw it out!" While they are not entirely excluded from edible potions, they are more commonly found being used in healing potions. They are also extremely popular in association with the Dark Arts. The enormous variety of toadstools available creates a vast field for uses.

Where does one begin to hunt for these tempting toadstools? Well look around. They prefer dark, damp, dank conditions. Perhaps wander around a bit of forest and look into the hidden nooks and crannies to find them lurking under fallen tree stumps. Toadstools come in a wide assortment of sizes and colours. They can range from a giant spotted orange Amanita to tiny dusty brown Morels. Everyone is sure to find a favourite among the many varieties.

Are they worth anything? Some varieties are common, others extremely rare. There is a market available for those eager entrepreneurs out there. Toadstools are always in demand. So whether you search for them to sell or search for your personal stock, keep in mind, the more you hunt the better your chances at finding those rare specimens hiding in the shadows.

Identifying Mushrooms

Before elaborating on the various aspects of toadstools, it is important to be familiar with mushrooms in general and to know how to identify and distinguish them.

Identifying mushrooms requires a basic understanding of their structure. Mushrooms are the fleshy bodies of fungi, so they usually consist of a stem and a top. Most mushrooms are gilled, meaning that you can find little ribs under their tops. Their spores are produced on these gills and fall from under the caps.

The standard method for the identification of mushrooms in the wizarding world, dates back to medieval times. This rather commonly used method consists of an examination of the mushroom's characteristics. Colour, odour, taste, the presence of juices upon breaking, bruising reactions, as well as habitat and season, are all characteristics that can help identify a mushroom's identity. It is to be noted however, that tasting and smelling mushrooms can carry important risks due to the danger of potential poisons and allergens!

Another method of identification relies on the spore print of a mushroom. When cutting off the cap and placing it gill-side-down overnight, a powdery print reflecting the shape of the gills is formed. The colour of the print can often be used to help classify and identify mushrooms. Spore print colours include white, brown, black, purple-brown, pink, yellow, and cream, and very rarely blue, green, or red.

Due to the extremely similar appearance of several different varieties of mushrooms, it is important to attentively consider all their characteristics. When hunting for mushrooms, it is essential to be well-informed on any potentially dangerous species that may resemble the mushroom being searched for. Never consume a mushroom that you cannot identify with certainty. When searching for different species of mushrooms at the same time, it is also wise to store them separately, in order to avoid the blending of their spores and toxins.

Obtaining Toadstools

There are three very common ways one should use to collect toadstools and mushrooms for potions, charms, food, or whatever other use one comes up with for toadstools. The three most common methods for obtain toadstools are collecting them in the wild, buying them from local shops such as the apothecary, and growing them yourself in your own garden.

Collecting them in the wild
The journey of obtaining toadstools can be quite treacherous at times, so it is best to go prepared for anything. To prepare for your journey, I would suggest a wand for performing spells such as lumos to see in the dark places you will have to tread to find the toadstools, some nice dragon hide boots to withstand any nasty thing you might have to walk through, and this wonderful text book to help distinguish between which type of toadstools and mushrooms you may be picking up. With these objects in hand, you are ready to begin searching in dark, damp places for those wonderful treasures known as toadstools.

Buying them from local shops
Another method would be to consider buying the toadstools from local shops around your neighbourhood or town. This is a viable option for those of us who don’t have time to go collecting in the wild, growing them ourselves, or who just need a specific toadstool right then for a specific purpose. Apothecaries are a great place to shop for toadstools since they contain so many interesting items that are used in potions and will usually give you a pretty fair deal on a toadstool or two.

Growing them yourself
This is perhaps the most rewarding method; however, to do this you must first have at least one of the toadstools on hand to plant into the garden. Once you have to toadstool in hand, you should find a spot around your yard that is shady and very cool. Plant the toadstool here and make sure to water it once a day, at the very least. Constantly check the toadstool patch every day to make sure the area is damp. If you are successful, within a few months you should have a nice looking toadstool patch.

Taming Toadstools

While it is incredibly important to treat these highly dangerous fungi with respect, it is also important to realise how they can be used in our daily lives without fear. Toadstools are commonly used as ingredients in many potions, ointments, and even a few delicacies. The world of the toadstool is a wonderful place to explore, as long as you know what you are looking for.

Toadstools have been added to potions for a very long time. Often associated with dark magic, they are slowly becoming more popular throughout the general wizarding world.

It may be tempting to try adding a toadstool or two into a recipe you just created, but be wary. These potent spores can carry a punch. It is best to use a diluted portion of toadstool in any potion that is to be ingested. Always make sure you can correctly identify the specific variety needed for your potions. You don't want to mistake a Plum Pharaoh with a Purple Popper. The difference in appearance may be subtle, but one will leave you the ruler of your roost and the other will leave you in little pieces.

The use of toadstools for healing is not a new practice. Some of the oldest healing potions in the world list toadstools as ingredients. Again it is important to know what variety you need, or will be handling. Take a stroll through the forest and see what is available in your local area. You will be sure to find something to help with your daily healing needs.

Some of the most inventive and most original delicacies include toadstools as ingredients. The wide selection of taste, colour and variety of toadstools available, make it an extremely attractive ingredient to add to the newest dishes. Some varieties are excruciatingly rare, and are among some of the most sought after ingredients for the rarest of dinners and desserts.

Market Endeavours

Sadly our wizarding world does have the occasional rotten apple who may sully the toadstool trade. There are several known black markets for toadstools, and while it may be tempting to try to purchase from one of these dealers, it may not pay off in the long run.

Remember that many varieties of toadstools are remarkably similar in appearance. It can be easy for a true swindler to make a relatively common plum Pharaoh look like the rarer Powdered Princess. Of course there are several things you can do to avoid being duped, should you decide that you cannot resist the bargain deals of the black market toadstool trade.

Appearance is of course important. You'll want to make sure there are no signs that the toadstool has been altered. You can generally do this with a bit of moisture. Since toadstools generally have a thick slick skin, any attempt to dye them a different colour does not absorb as well as it should. If you try the water test, a fake can be spotted by the colours running off the toadstool. You can also try tapping the toadstool and uttering a revealing charm. This will unmask most fakes in mere seconds. Shapes are also a big giveaway. The sickle shape of a Silver Sickle shouldn't be represented as a Waxy Wheel. This may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised at how many buyers don't even examine what they are purchasing.

You can also choose to avoid these questionable toadstool tradesmen by purchasing your toadstools through a reputable dealer. They will of course be able to show endorsement from the National Fungi Association. (NFA) These dealers can generally find you any toadstool you may be looking for, though at times you will pay seemingly exorbitant rates.

You can also network through friends, relatives and co-workers. Once you put out your wish list, these people know what you are looking for, and can be an extra source of information. It is also true that an extra set of eyes to help spot a toadstool you are hunting for, is never a bad thing.