Emma Wilson
Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap mushroom, is a deadly poisonous fungus that can be found throughout Europe and North America. It is responsible for the majority of mushroom-related fatalities worldwide, with symptoms including severe gastrointestinal issues, liver and kidney failure, and death. However, it is not known to be hallucinogenic. Instead, other mushrooms in the Amanita genus, such as Amanita muscaria, also known as fly agaric, are widely recognised for their hallucinogenic properties, which have been documented throughout history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Death Cap |
| Scientific name | Amanita phalloides |
| Toxicity | Poisonous, deadly |
| Toxins | Amatoxins, phallotoxins, alpha-amanitin (also called amatoxin) |
| Toxic mechanism | Inhibition of RNA polymerase II |
| Toxic effects | Liver and kidney damage, cell death |
| Poisoning symptoms | Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, lowered blood sugar, decreased urinary output, rapid fluid loss, central nervous system involvement |
| Treatment | No known antidote, seek medical attention immediately |
| Similar-looking edible mushrooms | Straw mushroom, Caesar's mushroom, Paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea), Amanita princeps (white Caesar), puffballs, Agaricus species |
| Similar-looking poisonous mushrooms | Galerina, Lepiota, Conocybe, Agaricus xanthodermus (yellow-staining mushroom) |
| Distribution | Native to Europe, introduced to other regions including North America, British Columbia |
| Appearance | Greenish cap with white stipe and gills, cap colour variable (including white forms) |
| Mushroom hunter advice | Do not consume unless an expert, do not pick and consume wild mushrooms |
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What You'll Learn
- The death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) is deadly, not hallucinogenic
- Amanita phalloides is the most poisonous of all known mushrooms
- Amatoxins, the toxins in death cap mushrooms, are not reduced by cooking
- Death cap mushrooms are spreading across North America
- Amanita muscaria is a hallucinogenic mushroom, but fatal poisonings are extremely rare
The death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) is deadly, not hallucinogenic
The death cap mushroom, or Amanita phalloides, is a deadly fungus that resembles several edible mushroom species. It is responsible for 90% of mushroom-related fatalities every year and is considered the most poisonous of all known mushrooms. It is not hallucinogenic.
The death cap mushroom is native to Europe but has spread to other parts of the world, including North America. It typically grows under oak trees and has a cap that ranges in colour from pale yellow to green to olive brown. The gills underneath the cap are white, and the base of the stem has a membranous cup.
The death cap mushroom contains several toxins, including phallotoxin and alpha-amanitin (also called amatoxin). These toxins cause severe nausea, vomiting, dehydration, kidney damage, and electrolyte imbalances. The principal toxic constituent, alpha-amanitin, stops cell functioning by targeting the transcription of RNA polymerase II, preventing the cell from making essential proteins and cell components. This leads to liver and kidney failure, which can be fatal.
Amanita muscaria, on the other hand, is a mushroom species that is known to have hallucinogenic effects. It is often referred to as fly agaric or fly amanita and is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. This mushroom contains psychoactive compounds like muscimol and ibotenic acid, which can cause poisoning, especially in those seeking its hallucinogenic effects. However, fatal poisonings from Amanita muscaria are extremely rare.
In summary, the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) is deadly due to its toxic effects on the liver and kidneys, but it is not hallucinogenic. Amanita muscaria is a separate mushroom species that exhibits hallucinogenic properties but is less likely to cause fatal poisonings.
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Amanita phalloides is the most poisonous of all known mushrooms
Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap mushroom, is the most poisonous of all known mushrooms. It is a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus and mushroom, one of many in the genus Amanita. Originating in Europe, the death cap has since been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America. The death cap mushroom is responsible for 90% of mushroom-related fatalities every year and has been involved in the majority of human deaths from mushroom poisoning.
The death cap mushroom contains several toxins, including phallotoxin and alpha-amanitin (also called amatoxin). Phallotoxin causes severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration, resulting in kidney damage and electrolyte imbalances. Alpha-amanitin, the principal toxic constituent, stops cell functioning by targeting the transcription of RNA by RNA polymerase II, preventing the cell from making essential proteins and cell components. This leads to liver and kidney failure, and death can occur within 48 hours of ingestion.
The death cap mushroom is particularly dangerous because it resembles several edible mushroom species, including Caesar's mushroom and the straw mushroom, increasing the risk of accidental poisoning. It is often found growing under oak trees, and its cap ranges in colour from pale yellow to green to olive brown. The gills are white, and the base of the stem has a membranous 'cup'.
Symptoms of poisoning by the death cap mushroom typically occur 6 to 24 hours after ingestion and include severe gastrointestinal upsets such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Signs of severe involvement of the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system soon follow, including a decrease in urinary output and a lowering of blood sugar. It is important to seek immediate medical attention if mushroom poisoning is suspected, as cooking, peeling, drying, or soaking the mushroom does not make it edible.
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Amatoxins, the toxins in death cap mushrooms, are not reduced by cooking
Death cap mushrooms, or Amanita phalloides, are not hallucinogenic. They are, however, deadly poisonous. They are the most poisonous of all known mushrooms and are responsible for 90% of mushroom-related fatalities every year.
Amatoxins are the toxins found in death cap mushrooms. They are a subgroup of at least nine related cyclic peptide toxins found in three genera of deadly poisonous mushrooms (Amanita, Galerina, and Lepiota) and one species of the genus Pholiotina. Amatoxins are extremely toxic to humans, and as little as half a mushroom cap can cause severe liver injury if swallowed.
The toxins have high heat stability, and this property, combined with their solubility in water, makes them exceptionally toxic as they are not destroyed by cooking or drying. Amatoxins are resistant to enzyme and acid degradation, and therefore when ingested, they are not inactivated in the gastrointestinal tract.
The mechanism of action of amatoxin is by inhibiting RNA polymerase, causing disruption of transcription of mRNA. As a result, hepatocytes cannot synthesize key protein coding genes, leading to the disintegration of nucleoli and pathologically centrilobular hepatic necrosis. This leads to the insidious onset of
There are some treatments for amatoxin poisoning, such as silymarin, activated charcoal, and cyclosporine, but they are not always effective.
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Death cap mushrooms are spreading across North America
Death cap mushrooms, scientifically known as Amanita phalloides, are deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungi. They are responsible for 90% of mushroom-related fatalities every year, making them the world's most lethal mushroom. The death cap mushroom originates from the UK and parts of Europe and has since spread to other parts of the world.
In North America, the death cap mushroom was first reported on the East Coast in the early 1900s and then in California in 1938, where it has since thrived. It has been speculated that the mushroom was introduced to California from Europe, transported on the roots of cork oak trees. Since then, it has rapidly spread up and down the West Coast, reaching as far north as Vancouver Island and as far south as Los Angeles County. The species has also been reported in a string of Pacific Northwest cities, colonizing outward from each impact.
The death cap mushroom can be difficult to distinguish from edible mushrooms, as it resembles several edible species commonly consumed by humans. This increases the risk of accidental poisoning, as the toxins in the death cap mushroom do not have a distinct smell or any other obvious giveaways. The toxins are also thermostable, meaning they do not break down when cooked, unlike other edible fungi. The mushrooms can grow up to six inches tall with a domed cap that can be tinged with yellow or green, and have white gills and an off-white stem.
The spread of death cap mushrooms in North America has led to an increase in poisonings. In 2012, over 30 death cap poisonings were reported, including three fatalities. The poison from the mushroom is taken up by liver cells, inhibiting an enzyme responsible for protein synthesis, which can lead to liver and kidney failure and, in some cases, death. The need for awareness of the dangers posed by these mushrooms is crucial as they continue to spread and establish themselves across North America.
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Amanita muscaria is a hallucinogenic mushroom, but fatal poisonings are extremely rare
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita, is a fungus of the genus Amanita. It is a large white-gilled, white-spotted mushroom with a bright red or orange cap covered with distinctive white warts. It is one of the most recognizable fungi in the world. Native to the forests of the Northern Hemisphere, it has now also been naturalized in the Southern Hemisphere.
Amanita muscaria is a hallucinogenic mushroom, with psychoactive compounds like muscimol and ibotenic acid. It has been used for its hallucinogenic effects by the traditional peoples of the Arctic Circle and some Native American tribes, as well as by inhabitants of Siberia. The active constituents of Amanita muscaria are water-soluble, and boiling and then discarding the cooking water can detoxify the mushroom, making it edible. However, drying the mushroom may increase its potency, as it facilitates the conversion of ibotenic acid to the more potent muscimol.
While Amanita muscaria can cause poisoning, especially in children and those seeking its hallucinogenic effects, fatal poisonings are extremely rare. Poison control centers in the United States and Canada rarely, if ever, receive reports of suspected Amanita muscaria poisoning. With modern medical treatment, fatal poisoning from ingesting this mushroom is highly unlikely. The North American Mycological Association has stated that there have been no reliably documented cases of death from toxins in these mushrooms in the past 100 years.
Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap, is a different species of mushroom in the Amanita genus. Unlike Amanita muscaria, Amanita phalloides is highly toxic and is responsible for the majority of mushroom-related fatalities each year. It contains amatoxins, which are thermostable and resist changes due to heat, so cooking does not reduce their toxic effects. As little as half a mushroom contains enough toxin to kill an adult human.
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Frequently asked questions
No, death cap mushrooms are not hallucinogenic. They are deadly poisonous and even half a mushroom contains enough toxin to kill an adult human.
Symptoms of death cap mushroom poisoning include severe gastrointestinal upsets such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Death may occur from liver and kidney damage.
The death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) is generally greenish in colour with a white stipe and gills. The cap colour is variable, including white forms, and is thus not a reliable identifier.
If you suspect that you've ingested a death cap mushroom, seek medical attention immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to occur. Contact your local poison control centre for advice.
