I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD ANSWER ME THIS. I WAS TOLD IF THE UNDERSIDE OF A MUSHROOM WAS BLACK WHEN PICK, IT WAS POISONOUS. AND ALL OTHERS ARE EDIBLE TO EAT. IS THERE ANY TRUTH TOO THIS?
The bottom being black is completely false. COMPLETELY ! For example - black trumpets are all black and they are one of the most highly prized edible wild mushroom. Most of the time - any mushroom that bruises blue is trouble. Grizz - you are correct. 99% of mushroom hunters will not tell you where they are and this is because it takes years and many miles on foot to find some of these TINY patches that are there and then gone. As far as Hens - they grow on or around Oaks and Maples. Side note - if you find a chicken mushroom on a conifer - it can cause stomach upset. I would recommend to stay away from these.