Natur&ëmwelt Experts Discuss Mushroom Season in Luxembourg

In the latest in a series of articles about current conservation issues, experts at natur&ëmwelt, a leading nature conservation NGO in Luxembourg, spoke to Chronicle.lu about mushroom season and the fascinating world of fungi.

Natur&ëmwelt volunteer Claire Schroeder helped collect the relevant information from the NGO for this article.

Crisp morning air and the arrival of damp autumn days can mean one thing: the mushroom season is upon us.

Chronicle.lu: First things first - is the correct term "mushrooms" or "fungi"?

Natur&ëmwelt: The difference is simple - all mushrooms are fungi but not all fungi are mushrooms (although they share many similar characteristics). Mushrooms belong to the kingdom of fungi which also includes mould, yeasts and rusts. What you're keen on  spotting on your glorious autumn walk is most likely a mushroom.

Chronicle.lu: How easy is it to find mushrooms in Luxembourg?

Natur&ëmwelt: Luxembourg, with its many forests, fields and distinct seasonal weather, is ideal mushroom territory. Peak mushroom season starts at the end of summer and goes into the early winter. If finding these magical morsels is your aim, your best shot will be on a mild day after a bit of rain. Mushrooms are most commonly found at the foot of trees or near decaying wood, however no need to limit yourself to these areas as the options are plentiful.

Chronicle.lu: Why are fungi and mushrooms important for the ecosystem?

Natur&ëmwelt: Somewhere between plants and animals, mushrooms are not only important but completely indispensable to the ecosystem. The mushroom itself that we see above ground is actually just the fruiting body of a vast network of microscopic fungal threads, known as mycelium. Through mycelia, mushrooms help plants share nutrients, communicate and help decompose their remains. This is why certain species of fungi are often found near certain plants or trees - they need each other in order to survive.

Chronicle.lu: What does one need to know before going mushroom hunting?

Natur&ëmwelt: One of the joys of mushroom hunting is how accessible it is! You don't need much besides a good pair of shoes, a knife [if at all] and some sort of container to bring your bounty home with you - you will see many foragers using a basket for this and for good reason; unlike plastic bags, they help prevent the gatherings from fermenting. Before venturing out, it is also vital that you inform yourself as to the national regulations surrounding mushroom foraging. Luxembourgish mushrooms are (thankfully) protected. In a nutshell, each forager is limited to three specimens per species for study purposes and your harvest is limited to 1 kg per person per day for the 55 edible species. These numbers change if you are in a group.

Chronicle.lu: So, they are edible?

Natur&ëmwelt: Ah, the all-important question. We are lucky to have many edible, and delicious, species of mushrooms around us. However, there are also several dangerous ones. As a beginner, it is important to be accompanied by a seasoned forager and to do your research. Every Saturday evening between the end of September and the end of October, the Luxembourgish society of naturalists organises permanencies at the Maison de la Nature in Kockelscheuer, where they can help ID your specimens. In any case, only ever pick mushrooms that are healthy and grown. [Further information: https://www.snl.lu/events/permanences-mycologiques-2023/]

Chronicle.lu: How can one learn more?

Natur&ëmwelt: One of the best ways to learn more about mushrooms and foraging is to participate in one of several guided tours with an expert. The Luxembourgish Society of Naturalists occasionally organises them, as does the Ellergronn Centre Nature et Forêt, amongst others. And, of course, there are many guides and online resources that allow you to learn as much as you want, at your own pace. A good place to start is with the Mycological Research Group of the SNL and the natur&ëmwelt Guide to the Mushrooms of Luxembourg [further details on the organisations' respective websites].

More information about the aforementioned guided tours is available on the following websites: https://www.snl.lu/activites/programme-des-activites/ and https://environnement.public.lu/fr/natur-erliewen/programm.html.