Editorial Accountability
Contributor Standards
Contributor profiles appear only after identity, credentials, and responsibility for the work are verified.
KnowTheSpore lists a contributor only when the site can verify the person, relevant credentials, and responsibility for the published work.
No verified contributor profiles are currently active. Pages therefore rely on their named sources, visible safety limits, and correction history rather than an unsupported review badge.
What readers can verify now
Each safety claim should be traceable to the sources named on its page, with uncertainty and dangerous alternatives stated plainly.
- Accepted names checked against taxonomic references
- Field marks and lookalikes explained in the page
- Conservative edibility language where sources or specimens leave doubt
- Corrections accepted through the contact page
Standards for future reviewers
Any future reviewer must have formal training in mycology or a long, documented record of field identification, and their subject knowledge must match the page.
Until a qualified person and review event are recorded, pages show their named sources, safety limits, and correction path without a review badge or review date.
Want to contribute or review?
We are always glad to hear from experienced foragers, growers, cooks, and mycologists who want to write or review. Formal training and a long, documented field record both count.
Write to us with your background and the areas you know best. See our editorial policy for the standard every page has to meet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who reviews the pages on this site?
No verified reviewer profiles are currently active. A named review claim will appear only after the person and the review event are documented.
What would a reviewing mycologist check?
A qualified reviewer would check the scientific name, family, field marks, dangerous lookalikes, and edibility rating against the named sources.
Would a review mean a mushroom is safe for me to eat?
No. A page cannot verify the mushroom in your hand. Real identification is hands-on, and when in doubt you should throw it out.
How are pages maintained?
Sources, taxonomy, safety warnings, and reported corrections are checked when a page changes. A review date is shown only when a qualified human review event is recorded.
Can I send an expert a photo to identify my mushroom?
No. We cannot safely identify a mushroom from a photo, and we do not offer that service. For a suspected poisoning, call Poison Control or emergency services right away.