Laura Smith
There are around 2,500 species of mushrooms in Michigan, and while many are safe to eat, at least 50 are known to be poisonous, with some even being fatal. Amatoxins, the deadly toxins found in several mushrooms, cause symptoms to appear 6 to 36 hours after consumption, and by the time the patient feels sick, it may be too late for treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to identify mushrooms accurately before consuming them. So, are white mushrooms poisonous in Michigan?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of mushroom species in Michigan | 2,500 |
| Number of poisonous mushroom species in Michigan | 50 |
| Mushrooms with white caps | Oyster mushroom, common morel, black morel, Amanita |
| Amanita characteristics | Volva (cup-like structure) at the base of the stalk, annulus (ring) around the mid-upper portion of the stalk, white, free gills, white or light-colored spore print |
| Lepiota characteristics | Reddish-brown caps in older specimens, reddish-brown scales on a white background in younger specimens |
| Conocybe characteristics | Brown spore prints, inhabit lawns |
| Galerina characteristics | Brown spore prints, grow on decaying wood |
| Gymnopilus characteristics | Grows in clusters on wood, yellow-brown spore color |
| Gyromitra esculenta ("beefsteak morel") characteristics | Solid stem, brain-like shape, dark reddish color in older specimens |
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What You'll Learn
White mushrooms in Michigan can be poisonous if they are false morels
Mushroom foraging is a popular activity in Michigan, with around 2,500 species of mushrooms that are substantial enough to make a meal. However, it is important to exercise caution when engaging in mushroom foraging, as at least 50 of these species are poisonous, some even fatal. Amatoxin poisoning, for example, is particularly dangerous because symptoms are delayed by 6 to 36 hours after consumption, making it too late for treatment by the time the patient feels sick.
One must be especially careful with false morels, which are often found at the same times and in the same places as true morels. False morels, belonging to the species Verpa and Gyromitra, should be considered poisonous and not eaten. Gyromitra esculenta, commonly known as the "beefsteak morel," is abundant in Michigan and has been accidentally or purposefully consumed by people. This mushroom contains the chemical gyromitrin, which the body converts into monomethylhydrazine, a toxin and carcinogen. Some people who have consumed this species have suffered acute poisoning, and a few have died. Beefsteak morels can be differentiated from true morels by their solid stems, brain-like shapes, and dark reddish color as they age.
True morels, on the other hand, have one characteristic in common: their caps are pitted with little hollows, as if holes had been punched partway through. The common morel, often called the white or gray morel, fruits in the latter half of May and can be found in a wide variety of habitats, primarily under hardwoods. Its color varies from light cream to gray to yellowish-brown depending on habitat and age. While the common morel is widely collected and considered easy to recognize, it is crucial to distinguish it from false morels to avoid poisoning.
In addition to false morels, there are other poisonous white mushrooms in Michigan. For example, the short-stemmed Russula has a white or yellow cap and is funnel-shaped, with gills running the length of the stem. Bear's Head Tooth is another white mushroom that grows on a single stem, with spines that turn brown as they age. While these mushrooms may not be deadly, they can cause gastrointestinal distress if not properly cooked.
To stay safe while mushroom foraging in Michigan, it is essential to have a good guidebook or identification book. Workshops and guided mushroom hunts are also offered by institutions like MSU and the University of Michigan. Joining groups like the Michigan Mushroom Hunters' Club can provide support and expertise during mushroom season. Remember, never eat a mushroom unless you are 100% certain of its identity.
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Amatoxin poisoning symptoms are delayed by 6 to 36 hours
There are approximately 2,500 species of mushrooms in Michigan that are substantial enough to make a meal when collected in quantity. Of these, at least 50 species are known to be poisonous, and around 60 to 100 are generally regarded as safe to eat. Amatoxins are found in fungi in four unrelated genera: Amanita, Galerina, Lepiota, and Conocybe; all four occur in Michigan.
Amatoxin poisoning is particularly dangerous because symptoms are delayed anywhere from 6 to 36 hours after the mushroom is eaten, with an average delay of 12 hours. By the time the patient feels sick, it is too late for emesis or gastric lavage to be of any use. The time between ingestion and the onset of symptoms is critical. A sudden onset of intense gastrointestinal symptoms after a delay of 6 to 24 hours following a mushroom meal should raise the suspicion of amatoxin poisoning.
The symptomatology of amatoxin poisoning can extend from a simple gastroenterological disorder to death. The first stage of A. phalloides syndrome occurs abruptly, 6 to 24 hours after ingestion, and is characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (occasionally bloody), abdominal pain, and hematuria. This phase usually lasts about 12 to 36 hours. The second stage is a period of symptomatic recovery, which lasts 24 to 36 hours after ingestion. In the third phase, the patient may fall into a coma or die as a result of irreversible liver and kidney failure.
Treatment of Amatoxin mushroom toxicity is predominantly supportive care. There is no specific antidote. The patient must have two large-bore IVs, and fluid loss, electrolyte deficiency, and glucose should be normalized. If the patient presents early (within two to four hours), decontamination with oral activated charcoal may be performed. Once the stomach is empty, nausea should be treated if needed.
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Some white mushrooms in Michigan are edible, like the common morel
Mushroom foraging is a popular activity in Michigan, with around 2,500 species of mushrooms that are substantial enough to make a meal. However, it can be a dangerous hobby for newcomers, as at least 50 of these species are known to be poisonous, some even fatal. Therefore, it is important to be able to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms.
One edible mushroom that can be found in Michigan is the common morel. It is widely collected as it is one of the easiest of all edible spring mushrooms to recognize. The common morel, often called the white or gray morel, has a cap that is pitted with little hollows, as if holes had been punched partway through them. The colour of the cap varies from light cream to gray to yellowish-brown depending on habitat and age. The white morel fruits in the latter half of May and can be found in a wide variety of habitats, primarily under hardwoods, including old orchards, beech-maple forests, oak woods, burned-over meadows and occasionally lawns.
Other edible mushrooms in Michigan include the black morel, which is usually the first true morel to appear in spring, and the honey mushroom, which has a tan to golden-brown cap and a stem with an obvious ring. It is important to note that while the true morels are edible, the false morels should be considered poisonous and not eaten. One example of a false morel is the "beefsteak morel", which contains the toxin and carcinogen gyromitrin.
On the other hand, some of the most poisonous mushrooms in Michigan include the Amanita, Galerina, Lepiota, and Conocybe species. Amatoxin poisoning is particularly dangerous because symptoms are delayed anywhere from 6 to 36 hours after the mushroom is eaten, making it too late for treatment. Amanita species are usually easy to recognize because of their possession of a cup-like structure at the base of the stalk, a ring around the mid to upper portion of the stalk, white gills, and a white or light-coloured spore print. Small Lepiotas are more difficult to identify, but none of them should be eaten as they can contain up to 100 times the toxin of a deadly Amanita mushroom.
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The white oyster mushroom grows on aspen trees
There are approximately 2,500 species of mushrooms in Michigan, with at least 50 of these species being poisonous, some of which can be fatal. Amatoxin poisoning is particularly dangerous because symptoms are delayed anywhere from 6 to 36 hours after the mushroom is eaten. The Amanita species, which are deadly poisonous to people, are usually easy to recognize because of their possession of a volva (cup-like structure) at the base of the stalk, an annulus (ring) around the mid-to-upper portion of the stalk, white, free gills, and a white or light-colored spore print. Other poisonous species include Galerina, Lepiota, and Conocybe.
The white oyster mushroom, scientifically known as Pleurotus populinus, is part of the oyster species complex found in North America. It primarily grows on quaking aspen trees, but can also be found on other species of aspen and cottonwood trees. The best time to start hunting for these mushrooms is in the spring and early fall, and they are generally found in northern, mountainous areas. Aspen oyster mushrooms are a "new" species, having been first separated from P. ostreatus in 1993.
The Aspen oyster mushroom looks almost exactly like the common oyster mushroom, P. ostreatus, and other oyster mushrooms, including the Veiled oyster and the Angel wing mushroom. However, Angel wing mushrooms primarily grow on conifer trees, making it unlikely to find them on aspen or cottonwood trees. All of these similar-looking species are edible, so there is no danger in mistaking them for each other.
When identifying oyster mushrooms, it is important to note that they have gills, and any mushrooms without gills are definitely not oyster mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms are also susceptible to infestation by bugs and are a favorite snack of slugs, chipmunks, and other forest creatures.
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The white Bear's Head Tooth mushroom turns brown as it ages
There are around 2,500 species of mushrooms in Michigan, and at least 50 of these species are poisonous and some are even fatal. Amatoxin poisoning is particularly dangerous as symptoms are delayed by 6 to 36 hours after consuming the mushroom. The Amanita species are usually easy to recognize because of their possession of a cup-like structure at the base of the stalk and a ring around the mid to upper portion of the stalk. They also have white, free gills and a white or light-colored spore print.
The Bear's Head Tooth mushroom, also known as Hericium americanum, is not poisonous and is edible. It is part of the Hericiaceae family and belongs to the toothed mushroom group because of the cascading spines it forms. The mushroom is white when young and turns yellow-brown at the tips of the spines as it ages. It is found in the northeastern United States and parts of eastern Canada. It grows on the logs of decaying trees, preferably oak trees, in deciduous forests.
The Bear's Head Tooth mushroom has a unique appearance with long, spindly, noodle-like teeth and a tufted look due to its branching growth from the base. Its spores are released from the teeth, unlike most other mushrooms that release spores from gills or pores. They can be found growing on dead hardwood or wounds on living trees from late August to November.
While the Bear's Head Tooth mushroom is edible, it is recommended to pick and consume only the younger, bright white mushrooms as their taste turns bitter as they age and turn yellow. When cooking, it is advisable to dry sauté them first to evaporate the moisture, and then add butter and seasoning. They are said to have a unique seafood flavor and work well in crab cake recipes.
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Frequently asked questions
There are around 2,500 species of mushrooms in Michigan, with at least 50 known poisonous species. While some mushrooms with white caps have been identified as poisonous, it is not possible to determine if a mushroom is poisonous based on its colour. Therefore, it is important to identify the species of the mushroom before consumption.
To identify mushrooms in Michigan, it is recommended to use a guidebook or identification book. Some institutions, like MSU and the University of Michigan, offer workshops on edible and poisonous mushrooms in Michigan, which include guided mushroom hunts.
Some examples of poisonous white mushrooms in Michigan include the following:
- False morels, which are often found in the same places as true morels, have a smooth or ridged cap and a solid stem.
- Gyromitra esculenta, also known as the "beefsteak morel", has a brain-like shape and a dark reddish colour that develops over time.
- Amanita species, which are known to cause the majority of poisonings due to their size and appearance. They are typically identified by their white gills and spore print, as well as the presence of a cup-like structure at the base of the stalk and a ring around the upper portion.
