“When mushroom picking, we often want to go deeper into the forest, which means that phone navigation can become as important as the basket itself. A smartphone not only helps find the way to the forest but also allows marking where we left the car, where we have already been, or where we found a more interesting mushroom spot. The most important thing is to prepare in advance – download maps for offline use and make sure the phone is sufficiently charged,” says J. Puodžius.
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From navigation to mushroom map
One of the most useful phone functions in the forest is GPS. In map apps, you can mark the car’s parking spot or a specific point you want to return to. This is especially helpful when the mushroom picker starts walking not on paths anymore, and the number of trees and turns increases.
It is even more convenient if the maps on the phone work offline. GPS does not require internet connection, so in the downloaded map you can see your location even where mobile signal is weak or absent. However, it is worth knowing that, for example, “Google Maps” does not support pedestrian navigation offline – routes without internet connection work only when traveling by car.
“It is worth having not only navigation on the mushroom picker’s phone but also a kind of personal forest diary. When finding a good spot, you can mark its coordinates, photograph the surroundings, and note what kinds of mushrooms were found there. Next season, this can become a much more valuable source of information than trying to remember by which tree the basket was full of porcini last year,” says the expert.
According to him, some phone functions in the forest depend on connection quality, so it is important that reliable mobile coverage works even in remote areas.
Can help identify mushrooms
The smartphone camera can also be useful when trying to determine what kind of mushroom you found. Various apps using image recognition and artificial intelligence (AI) can suggest a likely mushroom species from a photo.
Among the most popular such solutions is “Picture Mushroom“, which provides possible mushroom identification, information about its properties, similar species, and potential dangers based on the photo.
The mushroom picking community also widely uses the “iNaturalist” app, which combines AI recognition with the help of nature enthusiasts and expert community. Users can upload a photo of the find and receive additional comments and clarifications from other users.
Another alternative is “ShroomID“, designed specifically for mushroom identification. The app uses AI technologies, allows filtering species by characteristics, and provides detailed information about the mushroom’s edibility, toxicity, and other properties.
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However, it is not necessary to download a special app to identify mushrooms. Many Android phones have an integrated “Google Lens” feature, and iPhone users can access it through the “Google” or “Google Photos” apps. This tool allows finding similar images based on a photo and helps identify plants, animals, and mushrooms.
“The phone camera and AI can help quickly narrow down the search to a few likely mushroom species, but they do not see the whole context as an experienced mushroom picker or mycologist does. If the photo lacks important details or the lighting is not suitable, the system can make mistakes. Therefore, it is worth using these technologies as an aid, but not as the final judge in deciding whether a mushroom is edible,” says J. Puodžius.
What to check on the phone before going to the forest?
The expert also shares what else is worth checking on the phone before going to the forest and what to prepare additionally:
1. Download the map. Mobile coverage in the forest can vary, so relying solely on online navigation is not advisable.
2. Mark the car’s parking spot. Especially if the car is left in a larger forest parking lot or by the road, and mushroom picking is done deeper in the forest.
3. Charge the phone. GPS, camera, and mobile internet drain the battery faster, so for a longer trip it is worth taking an external battery as well.
4. Use the phone as an auxiliary, not the only orientation tool. Even with GPS, it is worth remembering the main landmarks and telling relatives where you plan to pick mushrooms before going to the forest.
5. Enable emergency help functions. Modern phones have SOS functions that allow quickly calling for help and automatically transmitting your location.
