Foraging Fungi the Right Way: A Malaysian Guide to Responsible & Sustainable Mushroom Collecting

MNS Selangor Branch Mycology Group

Introduction: Why Responsible Foraging Matters

In recent years, mushroom foraging has grown in popularity across Malaysia, from the cool hill forests of Selangor to the lowland dipterocarp forests of Pahang and Perak. Wild fungi fascinate us with their strange shapes and colors, and many foragers are drawn by the promise of edible finds or the joy of photographing something new.

But mushroom study and collection are not as simple as plucking and pocketing what you find. Fungi are essential parts of forest ecosystems, they recycle nutrients, form symbiotic relationships with trees, and sustain wildlife. Irresponsible collecting can harm fragile habitats or even break the law.

This guide explains how to collect mushrooms responsibly and safely while contributing to science and conservation.

Mushroom Foraging vs. Foraying

Mushroom foraging focuses on gathering wild mushrooms for food or medicine, while a mushroom foray is typically a guided, educational group walk focused on identifying and studying fungi. Foraging is often individual and consumption-oriented, whereas forays are often social, scientific, or beginner-focused outings.

Know the Law and the Land

Before you begin, always check whether collection is allowed.

There is no single law in Malaysia that specifically regulates mushroom foraging. Instead, it is governed by a combination of forest and wildlife laws and state-level forestry enactments. The applicable laws and regulations are as follows:

Federal legislation

• National Forestry Act (1984)
• Wildlife Conservation Act (2010)
• Access to Biological Resources and Benefit Sharing Act 2017 (Act 795)

State legislation

• Forestry Enactments
• State forestry departments

Harvesting specimens without permission can lead to penalties of up to RM20,000 under the National Forestry Act (1984). You’ll need written permission from the Selangor Forestry Department (Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Selangor) or other states forestry departments, or to join an authorized research or citizen-science activity. Never collect in a Hutan Simpanan Kekal (Permanent Forest Reserve) unless permitted.

Respect local communities, especially Orang Asli villages, who have their own ecological knowledge and cultural practices regarding wild foods and fungi. Undertake not to carry out, or allow others to carry out, research or development for commercial or potential commercial purposes on any biological resource, or derivative, or in relation to traditional knowledge associated with the biological resource, unless a permit is obtained for commercial or potential commercial purposes in accordance with section 12 and a benefit sharing agreement has been entered into in accordance with subsection 22(1) of Access to Biological Resources and Benefit Sharing Act 2017 (Act 795).

Observe Before You Pick

Mushroom study begins in the field, not the lab. Observation helps identify species accurately and minimizes disturbance. Here’s what to note before touching the specimen: 

1. Substrate: Where is it growing — on wood, soil, dung, or leaf litter? Is it attached to a living tree or dead matter?
2. Host species: If near trees, note the species (e.g., Dipterocarpus, Ficus, Acacia). Many fungi are tree-specific.
3. Whole structure: Look at the entire fruiting body — from the base of the stem (stipe) to the cap (pileus), or other structures like pores or spines.
4. Smell and texture: Gently smell the specimen and note any odor (sweet, earthy, fishy, etc.). Some features disappear after collection.
5. Colour changes: Does the flesh bruise or change colour when cut or handled?
6. Chemical reactions: If available, test a small portion with reagents like KOH or FeSO₄ these can reveal diagnostic color reactions for identification.

💡 Tip: Photograph the mushroom in situ from several angles before collecting, habitat photos are often more valuable than the specimen itself.

Collect Ethically and Legally

If collection is allowed, follow these field-ethics:

• Take only what you need. Collect one or two specimens per species, ideally at different growth stages (young, mature, aging).
• Leave some behind. Fungi reproduce through spores; removing every visible mushroom may prevent future fruiting.
• Avoid over-collected or sensitive sites. Skip foraging at well-trodden trails and rare habitats such as mossy cloud forests (dangerous terrain, challenging for mushroom ID and often prohibited).

Only one specimen is picked, leaving most mushrooms untouched.

(Photos by Loon Yit Hong)

Proper Field Handling

Once collected, separate different species to prevent cross-contamination, spores can easily mix. Use wax paper, aluminium foil, or small boxes to store each specimen. Keep fragile mushrooms flat and dry; avoid stacking. Always include:

• The entire base of the stem (especially for genera like Amanita).
• A small amount of the surrounding substrate (wood, soil).
• Notes on habitat, altitude, date, and collector name.

📦 Tip: A plastic lunchbox lined with tissue and divided with cardboard strips works well as a budget field kit.

After the Field: Recording and Study
Back home, immediately record details before they fade:

• Take clear photos under good light.
• Note color changes, smell, and texture.
• Make a spore print by placing the cap gills-down on white and black paper overnight.
• Dry specimens using a dehydrator or gentle heat (not direct sun) if you intend to preserve them.

You can then compare your notes with Malaysian field guides such as:

• A Field Guide to the Common Fungi of Malaysia (FRIM, 2017)
• Guide to the Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms of Southeast Asia (University of Malaya, 2020)

Safety First: Avoiding Poisonous Look-Alikes

Malaysia’s forests host both delicacies and deadly species. The most commonly misidentified toxic mushroom is Chlorophyllum molybdites, often mistaken for Termitomyces (“kulat busut”). It causes severe gastrointestinal poisoning and hospitalizations yearly【University of Malaya, via Asia Research News, 2021】.

Never eat a mushroom unless it has been positively identified by an experienced mycologist. Remember: even small tasting for ID purposes should be spat out, not swallowed.

References & Resources

• University of Malaya (2021). Preventing Fatal Harvest of Mushrooms in Malaysia. Asia Research News
• Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (2023). Traditional Knowledge of Wild Edible Plants in Malaysia.
• ResearchGate (2024). Mushroom Foraging in Woodland Areas: A Fusion of Recreation and Sustainable Tourism.
• FRIM (2017). A Field Guide to the Common Fungi of Malaysia.
• Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Selangor (2024). Forest Access and Research Permit Guidelines.