That's a dangerous venture. You're jumping from botany to herbalism. Too much territory for you to be covering in a safe manner.

theherbalist

There are many places that sell kits and mushroom spawn. Some of the larger retailers even sell fungi beyond the culinary ones. I included one retailer, certainly there are others.

This is a far safer venture than wildcrafting fungi to which I'm guessing theherbalist was making reference to.

FataMorgana

Here is a link that might be useful: Fungi Perfecti

Fata:

Yes, you're correct. Also, mushrooms are used in Chinese herbology. Different kinds with different results.

theherbalist in Arizona

There are methods to collect spores which are described in Stammets book, and I think it would be possible to d that with shop bought mushrooms. However you still would have to know how the mushroom looks like and if there look alikes whan you are growing them in the open. Many mushrooms are grown on wood which should be recently cut and I would love to grow some mushrooms I think it is not so easy to get freshly cut wood and the spawns in the same time (but in Australia we don't get spawns easily).

Sim:

You're in Australia! In the States, we're getting some superb Australian wines. Love them.

theherbalist

medicinal mushrooms do have different uses, many are terrific immune enhancers, but all help drain excess water from the body and calm the 'shen'... a concept that roughly equates to 'spirit-mind'

tuckahoe is one that is native to both north america and china where it is called poria or fu ling. it exemplifies the actions listed above and is commonly used in both chinese and western herbalism.

if you want to know more about medicinal shrooms paul stamets is the guy : )