Sarah Brown
There is no simple way to tell if a mushroom is poisonous or not. While most mushrooms are not toxic, some poisonous mushrooms can kill. Many mushrooms look alike, and even toxicology experts often have trouble identifying them. The best way to identify a mushroom is to take photos and samples to a vet or a mycological group, and to learn about the mushrooms in your area. Some key differences between edible and toxic mushrooms include the presence of gills or ridges, the ease of separation of the cap and gills, and the colour of the spore print.
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What You'll Learn
- Learn to identify toxic lookalikes of edible mushrooms, like the jack o'lantern and false chanterelle
- Check for colour—Amanita mushrooms are often red, orange, yellow, white or grey
- Avoid mushrooms with umbrella-shaped caps and white rings around the stem
- If you bruise the cap of an Agaric mushroom and it stains chrome yellow, it's likely poisonous
- Study field guides and join mycological groups to become an expert at identifying poisonous mushrooms
Learn to identify toxic lookalikes of edible mushrooms, like the jack o'lantern and false chanterelle
There are no obvious traits that can tell you whether a mushroom is poisonous or not. However, there are certain rules and characteristics that can help you identify toxic mushrooms and their edible lookalikes.
Jack O'Lantern Mushrooms
Jack O'Lantern mushrooms, also known as foxfire mushrooms or Omphalotus species, are poisonous mushrooms that are commonly confused with edible chanterelles. They are bright orange or pumpkin-coloured mushrooms that grow in hardwood forests. They have a thick, fleshy, often curving stem and grow in large clusters. They can be differentiated from chanterelles by their sharp, bendable, paper-like gills, as opposed to the false gills of chanterelles, which are thicker and more fleshy. Jack O'Lanterns also have a funnel shape on their mature caps, while chanterelles usually do not.
False Chanterelles
False chanterelles, or Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, are non-toxic but have been known to cause stomach pain and issues when consumed. They have a deeper orange-yellow colour compared to the lighter egg-yolk yellow of true chanterelles. They also have forked gills, whereas true chanterelles have gill-like ridges. False chanterelles have a velvety cap surface, whereas true chanterelles have a more irregular, wavy, and lobed shape around the edge. Additionally, false chanterelles lack the characteristic apricot smell of true chanterelles and have an extremely bitter taste.
It is important to note that the best way to identify mushrooms is to study field guides and consult experts in mycological groups. While the above information can help you identify toxic lookalikes, it is not a substitute for expert knowledge and experience.
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Check for colour—Amanita mushrooms are often red, orange, yellow, white or grey
Colour is an important factor when identifying toxic mushrooms. The Amanita genus, for example, typically falls within the colour range of red, orange, yellow, white, or grey. Some Amanita mushrooms also stain red if they are broken or bruised. While many mushrooms that fall within this colour range are Amanita, it is important to note that colour alone is not enough to identify a mushroom as Amanita. Other characteristics such as cap shape, the presence of scales or warts, and the presence of a ring on the stem should also be considered.
Amanita species are among the deadliest mushrooms, accounting for 90% of mushroom-related deaths. They are typically found on the ground in woodlands during the summer and fall, though they can also be found elsewhere. They contain amanitin, one of the deadliest poisons found in nature.
Some distinctive characteristics of Amanita mushrooms include:
- A sac-like cup surrounding the base of the stem, which may be buried just beneath the soil surface.
- Parasol-shaped caps that may be white, yellow, red, or brown.
- White gills.
- White spores.
One of the most recognisable Amanita mushrooms is the fly agaric or fly amanita (Amanita muscaria). It is a large white-gilled, white-spotted mushroom with a bright red cap covered with distinctive white warts. It is often found in groups with basidiocarps in all stages of development.
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Avoid mushrooms with umbrella-shaped caps and white rings around the stem
It's important to be able to identify toxic mushrooms, especially as there is no single, obvious trait that indicates whether a mushroom is poisonous. Fungi are incredibly diverse, and different species can look very similar, so attention to detail is critical.
One type of mushroom to avoid is the Chlorophyllum molybdites, commonly known as the false parasol. This mushroom is toxic and causes a lot of poisonings across North America. It grows in meadows, lawns, parks, and other grassy areas, often in substantial scattered groups or fairy rings. The false parasol is characterised by a slender stem, 3-8 inches long, that is white to tan-brown and discolours when handled. The stem is slightly larger at the base and tapered at the top, with a thick, whitish ring about one-third of the way down from the cap. The cap is large and opens up and flattens as the mushroom matures. The flesh of the false parasol is white and thick, and the spore print is dull grey-green.
Another type of mushroom to avoid is Amanita muscaria, which has a bright red cap with white spots. This species is not usually fatal but can cause severe stomach upset and hallucinations. It grows near evergreen and deciduous trees in temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
In general, toxic mushrooms may have caps that stain bright chrome yellow when bruised, and they may smell chemically or like Indian ink or iodine. Some toxic mushrooms to look out for include Toxic Galerina, jack o'lantern, shaggy parasols, and false morels, as they have edible lookalikes.
It's important to note that even edible mushrooms can cause allergies or sensitivities in some individuals, so it's always a good idea to try a small amount of any new mushroom species before consuming a full meal.
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If you bruise the cap of an Agaric mushroom and it stains chrome yellow, it's likely poisonous
While there are some defining traits of poisonous mushrooms, they are not always easy to spot and are not always present. It is therefore important to identify the individual mushroom you have found. Many poisonous mushrooms are found in grassy, sunlit meadows, and some grow in dense clusters where there are no trees.
If you bruise the cap of an Agaric mushroom and it stains chrome yellow, it is likely poisonous. Agaricus xanthodermus, or the Yellow Stainer, is a toxic Agaricus species that turns yellow when cut or handled. It is one of the most commonly consumed poisonous mushrooms because it looks similar to edible Agaricus species. The Yellow Stainer has a particularly strong and unpleasant odour, like hospital disinfectant, caused by the presence of phenol in the mushroom. It also has a rather square profile when young.
However, some edible Agaricus species do bruise slightly yellow, so it is important to check all characteristics, including odour, when identifying mushrooms. Edible Agarics smell pleasantly of mushroom, with some having hints of aniseed or almond.
To identify mushrooms, it can be helpful to learn which family the fungus belongs to. The edible members of the Agaric family have pink to brown or black gills, a white cap, and usually a stout stem with a skirt. There are toxic members of this family that look very similar.
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Study field guides and join mycological groups to become an expert at identifying poisonous mushrooms
Studying field guides and joining mycological groups are great ways to become an expert at identifying poisonous mushrooms. Field guides can be obtained from local bookstores or online, and they provide detailed information on the mushrooms found in your area. Joining a mycological group allows you to learn from experts and connect with like-minded individuals who can help you identify edible mushrooms from poisonous ones.
- Learn the basic terminology and parts of a mushroom: This includes understanding terms like "annulus" or "partial veil", which refers to the ring-like structure formed when the mushroom tears away from its stem as it grows.
- Pay attention to the colour of the mushroom: While colour alone is not enough to identify a mushroom, it can be a helpful indicator. For example, Amanita mushrooms often have red, orange, yellow, white, or grey caps, and their gills are usually white or very pale.
- Examine the shape of the cap: Amanita mushrooms have caps shaped like a wide, upside-down "U" or a parasol.
- Check for the presence of a volva: A volva is a bulbous growth at the base of a mushroom stem, usually found under the soil. The presence of a volva, especially with a coloured ring, is often indicative of a poisonous mushroom.
- Study the gills: The colour and structure of the gills can be important indicators of a mushroom's toxicity. For example, edible Agarics have pink to brown/black gills, while some toxic mushrooms have gills that stain bright chrome yellow.
- Smell the mushroom: Edible Agarics smell pleasant, while toxic varieties may have a chemical or unpleasant odour.
- Learn about common look-alikes: Some poisonous mushrooms, like the False Morel and Funeral Bell, closely resemble edible varieties. Learning to distinguish these look-alikes is crucial for your safety.
- Take spore prints: Spore prints can help you distinguish similar-looking mushrooms. For example, edible honey mushrooms produce white spore prints, while deadly Galerina mushrooms produce rusty brown prints.
- Always consult an expert: Never consume a wild mushroom unless a mycologist or mushroom identification expert has confirmed it is edible. Mushroom poisoning can have serious, and sometimes deadly, consequences.
Remember, there is no single trait that will tell you if a mushroom is poisonous. It is important to consider multiple factors, including season, location, surrounding plants, size, texture, and more. With time and practice, you can become an expert at identifying poisonous mushrooms and safely enjoy foraging for edible varieties.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no simple way to tell if a mushroom is toxic. Even toxicologists often have trouble identifying them. To know for sure, you must identify the individual mushroom and learn about it.
Some of the most toxic mushrooms include the destroying angel, jack o'lantern, shaggy parasol, false morel, and death cap.
You can use a field guide or join a local mycological group to learn how to identify different types of mushrooms. You can also take a spore print to identify certain species of mushrooms.
Seek emergency medical care immediately, even if there are no symptoms. Bring a sample of the mushroom with you in a sealed bag, if possible.
