Therapeutic and Toxic Mushrooms of the Mecsek

Data

Official data in SubjectManager for the following academic year: 2026-2027

Topic

The aim of the course is to provide students with comprehensive, scientifically grounded knowledge of the macroscopic fungal species occurring in the Mecsek region, with particular emphasis on their physiological, pharmacological, toxicological, and conservation-related aspects. The course integrates fundamental principles of mycology, fungal taxonomy and field identification, as well as the medicinal properties of fungi and the risks associated with mushroom poisoning. During the theoretical lectures, students become familiar with the ecological role of fungi, their structural organization and life cycles, as well as the distinguishing characteristics of the most common edible and poisonous species found in the Mecsek. The course places special emphasis on the mechanisms of action of fungal toxins and the clinical features of mushroom poisoning syndromes. The practical component consists of two parts: identification exercises preparing students for fieldwork, and field-based species identification.

Lectures

• 1.

  Ecological roles of macrofungi

  - Makszin Lilla
• 2.

  Structure and morphology of macrofungi

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• 3.

  Fungal life cycles and reproductive strategies

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• 4.

  Taxonomy of macrofungi in the Mecsek region

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• 5.

  Edible mushrooms of the Mecsek (Part I.)

  - Makszin Lilla
• 6.

  Edible mushrooms of the Mecsek (Part II.)

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• 7.

  Edible mushrooms of the Mecsek (Part III.)

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• 8.

  Medicinal mushroom species (Part I.)

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• 9.

  Medicinal mushroom species (Part II.)

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• 10.

  Poisonous mushrooms of the Mecsek region (Part I.)

  - Makszin Lilla
• 11.

  Poisonous mushrooms of the Mecsek region (Part II.)

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• 12.

  Mushroom poisoning: toxic syndromes and pathomechanisms (Part I.)

  - Makszin Lilla
• 13.

  Mushroom poisoning: clinical presentation and management (Part II.)

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• 14.

  Protected and legally regulated mushroom species

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Practices

• 1.

  Fundamentals of macroscopic identification (Part I.)

  - Makszin Lilla
• 2.

  Fundamentals of macroscopic identification (Part II.)

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• 3.

  Edible and poisonous look‑alike species

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• 4.

  Practical training in mushroom identification

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• 5.

  Legal, safety, and ethical aspects of mushroom foraging

  - Makszin Lilla
• 6.

  Field identification practice in the Mecsek region (Part I.)

  - Makszin Lilla
• 7.

  Field identification practice in the Mecsek region (Part II.)

  - Makszin Lilla
• 8.

  Field identification practice in the Mecsek region (Part III.)

  - Makszin Lilla
• 9.

  Field identification practice in the Mecsek region (Part IV.)

  - Makszin Lilla
• 10.

  Field identification practice in the Mecsek region (Part V.)

  - Makszin Lilla

Seminars

Reading material

Obligatory literature

Literature developed by the Department

Notes and lecture materials have been uploaded to the Moodle platform.

Notes

Recommended literature

Peter Jordan: Field Guide to Edible Mushrooms of Britain and Europe, 2015

Conditions for acceptance of the semester

mushroom quiz

Mid-term exams

mushroom quiz

Making up for missed classes

By personal consultation.

Exam topics/questions

-

Examiners

Instructor / tutor of practices and seminars

• Makszin Lilla