GAYLORD -- Ten mushroom hunters have been hospitalized in Michigan alone this year, after picking poisonous morsels.

The Grand Traverse County Health Department reports the toxic mushrooms look very much like safe ones.  They there are only a few deadly mushroom types, but it’s important to avoid the dangerous ones when picking.  The department states, “approximately eight species are lethal out of more than 2,000 species in Michigan, but a poisonous species may be locally abundant.”  They later add, “if you are in doubt, do not eat the mushroom.”

The health department has a pamphlet on how to detect safe morels. You can read it here.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources also has information on how to detect safe mushrooms. You can read more here.