Michael Davis
Mushrooms are a tasty treat enjoyed by many, but it is important to be aware that some varieties can be fatal. Of the 100,000 known fungi species, about 100 are poisonous to humans, and while most mushroom poisonings are not fatal, it is crucial to be able to identify mushrooms accurately to avoid ingesting toxic varieties. Mushroom toxicity has been known for millennia and is even implicated in the death of Roman Emperor Claudius, suspected to have been assassinated by his wife Agrippina through mushroom poisoning. Today, foraging for mushrooms is a popular recreational activity, but it comes with risks as misidentification can lead to severe consequences. Some poisonous mushrooms bear an unfortunate resemblance to edible species, making them especially dangerous. For example, the death cap mushroom, considered one of the deadliest mushrooms, closely resembles edible straw and Caesar's mushrooms. This mushroom contains amatoxins, which quickly damage cells throughout the body, leading to liver and kidney failure, and potentially death. Other notorious toxic mushrooms include destroying angels, Galerina marginata, and the jack-o-lantern mushroom, all of which can have fatal effects if consumed. To stay safe, it is recommended to only consume mushrooms purchased from reputable sources and to seek immediate medical attention if poisoning is suspected.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of known fungi species | 100,000 |
| Number of poisonous species | 70-80 |
| Number of toxic species | 100 |
| Number of ingestions annually in the US | 6000 |
| Percentage of ingestions in children under six years | Over 50% |
| Most common symptoms | Loss of muscular coordination, sweating, chills, visual distortions, delusions, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, liver failure, kidney failure, delirium, convulsions |
| Most common cause of fatal poisonings | Amanita phalloides (Death Cap mushroom) |
| Other poisonous mushrooms | Destroying angels, Galerina, Lepiota, Conocybe, Pholiotina rugosa, Jack-o-lantern mushrooms, Angel's wings, Webcap mushroom |
| Rules for avoiding poisonous mushrooms | Avoid mushrooms with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, and a bulbous or sack-like base |
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What You'll Learn
- Mistaken identity: Some poisonous mushrooms look like edible ones
- Amanita phalloides: The death cap mushroom is potentially fatal
- Amanita pantherina: Fatalities have been associated with this species
- Galerina marginata: Mistaken for a Psilocybe species, leading to one fatality
- Jack-o-lantern mushrooms: Can cause significant toxicity
Mistaken identity: Some poisonous mushrooms look like edible ones
Mushrooms are generally safe to eat, but it is important to be aware of the dangers of mushroom poisoning, which can be fatal. Of the 100,000 known fungi species worldwide, about 100 are poisonous to humans, and many of these deadly fungi bear an unfortunate resemblance to edible species.
One of the most well-known poisonous mushrooms is the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), which closely resembles edible straw mushrooms and Caesar's mushrooms. Its toxins are heat-stable and withstand cooking temperatures, quickly damaging cells throughout the body. Within 6 to 12 hours of consumption, violent abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhoea appear, causing a rapid loss of fluids and intense thirst.
Another deadly mushroom is the Destroying Angel (Amanita verna), which is often mistaken for edible button mushrooms and meadow mushrooms. This species is considered the most toxic North American mushroom, with symptoms including vomiting, delirium, convulsions, diarrhoea, liver and kidney failure, and often death.
The Fool's Mushroom, an Amanita species, is often misidentified as Honey Fungus. However, while the Fool's Mushroom grows alone and is usually all white, Honey Fungus typically grows in clusters and ranges in colour from honey to dark brown.
Chanterelles are considered a good mushroom for beginner foragers, but they can be mistaken for the poisonous Jack O'Lantern Mushroom, which is bright orange and grows on wood.
Other poisonous mushrooms that resemble edible species include the Deadly Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus) and the Fool's Webcap (Cortinarius orellanus), which are similar in appearance to each other and several edible varieties. The Deadly Webcap is native to northern Europe and can take up to three weeks for symptoms to appear.
Conocybe filaris is an innocent-looking lawn mushroom common in the Pacific Northwest that contains the same mycotoxins as the Death Cap.
It is important to be able to accurately identify mushrooms before consuming them, and if you are unsure, it is best to avoid eating them.
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Amanita phalloides: The death cap mushroom is potentially fatal
Of the approximately 100,000 known fungi species found worldwide, about 100 of them are poisonous to humans. However, the majority of mushroom poisonings are non-fatal. The Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap mushroom, is an exception and is considered the deadliest of all mushrooms.
The death cap mushroom is a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus and mushroom, one of many in the genus Amanita. It originates in Europe but has been introduced to other parts of the world since the late twentieth century. The death cap has been spread to new regions through the cultivation of non-native species of oak, chestnut, and pine. The large fruiting bodies (mushrooms) appear in summer and autumn, and the caps are generally greenish with a white stipe and gills. The cap colour is variable, including white forms, and is thus not a reliable identifier.
The death cap mushroom is extremely dangerous and potentially deadly, containing toxins that damage or destroy the liver and kidneys. The principal toxic constituent is α-Amanitin, which causes liver and kidney failure. The major toxic mechanism is the inhibition of RNA polymerase II, a vital enzyme in the synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA, and small nuclear RNA (snRNA). Without mRNA, essential protein synthesis and hence cell metabolism stop, and the cell dies. The liver is the principal organ affected, as it is the organ first encountered after absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, though other organs, especially the kidneys, are susceptible.
The death cap mushroom is often mistaken for edible mushrooms, which increases the risk of accidental poisoning. It resembles several edible species, most notably Caesar's mushroom and the straw mushroom, commonly consumed by humans. The white form of A. phalloides may be mistaken for edible species of Agaricus, especially the young fruit bodies whose unexpanded caps conceal the telltale white gills. It is also similar to the edible paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) and A. princeps, commonly known as "white Caesar".
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Amanita pantherina: Fatalities have been associated with this species
Of the 100,000 known fungi species found worldwide, only about 70-80 are fatal when ingested. Amanita pantherina, also known as the panther cap, false blusher, or panther amanita, is one such species. It is a species of fungus found in Eurasia with poisonous and psychoactive properties. Its cap is 5-18 centimetres wide, with a bold pattern of ochre brown dots and white spots, resembling a panther's two-toned coat.
The panther cap is an uncommon mushroom, found in both deciduous and coniferous woodland throughout Europe and western Asia in late summer and autumn. It has also been recorded in South Africa, believed to have been accidentally introduced with imported trees. The panther cap is distinguished from the true blusher (Amanita rubescens) by its lack of red/pink discolouration when the flesh is damaged.
Amanita pantherina contains the psychoactive compounds ibotenic acid and muscimol, which can cause toxic effects if not properly processed and converted by the body. The effects of these compounds include sweating, nausea, loss of balance, and involuntary bodily movements. The reported effects of consuming this mushroom range from dreamy to horrifying, with some users experiencing an altered sense of time and space.
Amanita pantherina has been associated with fatalities, although the exact cause of toxicity is not always clear. In some cases, fatalities may be due to mistaken identity, as Amanita pantherina can resemble other edible species such as Amanita rubescens. It is important to note that drying, cooking, and boiling may remove most toxins from the mushroom, but scientific research has not confirmed a safe dosage.
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Galerina marginata: Mistaken for a Psilocybe species, leading to one fatality
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that humans have consumed since prehistory. While most mushrooms are harmless, some species are toxic and can cause severe poisoning, and even death. Of the vast number of mushroom species, there are only approximately 100 that are toxic to humans. Many investigations have reclassified some species of mushrooms from edible to poisonous, making older classifications insufficient for identifying harmful fungi.
Galerina marginata, commonly known as the Deadly Galerina, is one such toxic mushroom species. It is a small, brown-capped mushroom that typically grows on decaying wood in forests but can also be found in urban areas with dead wood or organic matter. The cap is brown to tawny, sticky when fresh, and fades with age. The gills start yellowish and become rusty brown, matching its spore print. A thin, fragile ring on the stalk often disappears with age, making identification tricky.
G. marginata contains potent toxins called amatoxins, which can cause severe liver and kidney damage, often leading to fatal outcomes. In 1981, one fatality and two hospitalizations occurred after consuming G. marginata, mistaken for a Psilocybe species. Psilocybe species, also known as "little brown mushrooms" (LBMs), closely resemble G. marginata, and they can be found growing together. However, unlike the hallucinogenic Psilocybe species, G. marginata is not psychoactive but highly toxic.
It is important to note that even mushrooms that do not taste bad can be dangerous. If G. marginata ingestion is suspected, seek emergency medical care immediately. There is no antidote, so early intervention with supportive care, such as activated charcoal and IV fluids, is critical to managing symptoms and preventing organ failure.
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Jack-o-lantern mushrooms: Can cause significant toxicity
Jack-o-lantern mushrooms, also known as foxfire mushrooms or Omphalotus species, are a poisonous mushroom species commonly confused with edible chanterelles. They are bright orange or pumpkin-coloured mushrooms that grow in hardwood forests. They are bioluminescent, giving off a faint greenish glow at night or in a darkened room. They are also characterised by their thick, fleshy, curving stems and sharp, bendable, paper-like gills.
Jack-o-lantern mushrooms contain toxins known as illudins, which cause gastrointestinal symptoms. They are not usually fatal, but they can cause significant toxicity, including mild to severe stomach upset. Poisoning from these mushrooms is common because they are attractive and often abundant.
To avoid mistaking jack-o-lantern mushrooms for chanterelles, it is important to note the difference in appearance between the two. Chanterelles have false gills that take the appearance of blunt ridges, while jack-o-lanterns have sharp, bendable, paper-like gills. Additionally, the stems of jack-o-lanterns are the same shade of orange as the outer flesh, while the inside of a chanterelle stem is paler. Chanterelles are also smaller than jack-o-lanterns, which can be up to three times larger at maturity.
It is important to be cautious when consuming wild mushrooms, as misidentification can lead to poisoning. While jack-o-lantern mushrooms are not usually life-threatening, consuming poisonous mushrooms can have severe consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
Of the 100,000 known fungi species found worldwide, about 100 are poisonous to humans. However, the majority of mushroom poisonings are not fatal.
Symptoms of mushroom poisoning include loss of muscular coordination, sweating, chills, visual distortions, a feeling of strength, delusions, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, liver failure, kidney failure, and neurological issues.
Some examples of fatal mushrooms include the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), Destroying Angels (Amanita bisporigera), Galerina marginata, Conocybe filaris, and the Deadly Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus).
It is important to only consume mushrooms that have been purchased from a reputable source, such as a supermarket or greengrocer. If you are foraging for mushrooms, it is crucial to be able to accurately identify the individual mushroom species and be 100% sure that it is safe to consume.
