A pencil and small notebook are useful for taking field notes, and a pocket field guide will prove indispensable. Cut the stem off a fresh, mature cap and put the cap, gill-side down, onto a piece of paper, card or glass. If dry, moisten the cap with a drop of water. Cover with cling film and leave overnight. Next morning you should get a good print.
Keys are an essential tool in the identification of fungi.
Fungi are very variable and most species can't be accurately identified simply by looking at pictures in books. Many field guides contain a simple key that does not require the use of microscopic features to aid identification to the family or genus level. A simple key developed by one of our members is available on-line from Mike Walton's Home Page . Click here to read it on-line.