There are several wild mushrooms that are unique in appearance, or have only one or two problematic lookalikes that are easily tested. If you're interested in p

There are several wild mushrooms that are unique in appearance, or have only one or two problematic lookalikes that are easily tested. If you're interested in picking, you can look into them. The "chicken of the woods" and "hen of the woods" are perfect starter mushrooms. (Although chickens' edibility when growing on softwoods is questioned, so it depends where you live.) There is nothing that bears any resemblance to them. Chanterelles and porcini each have a few straightforward guidelines for distinguishing them.