Michael Davis
There are thousands of species of mushrooms, but only a small number of them are fatal when ingested by humans. However, many of these deadly mushrooms bear a striking resemblance to edible varieties, making them extremely dangerous. This paragraph will explore the world's most toxic mushrooms and the fatal consequences of consuming them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of mushroom species that cause poisoning when eaten by humans | 100 |
| Number of mushroom species that are potentially lethal when ingested | 15-20 |
| Number of mushroom species | 70-80 |
| Mushrooms that cause liver injury and death | Amanita phalloides (death cap), Amanita virosa (destroying angel), Amanita verna (fool's mushroom), Amanita bisporigera, Galerina autumnalis (autumn skullcap), and Galerina sulcipes |
| Mushrooms that cause kidney failure and death | Deadly webcap (Cortinarius rubellus), Fool's webcap (Cortinarius orellanus) |
| Mushrooms that cause poisoning similar to Inocybe | White Clitocybes |
| Mushrooms that are commonly responsible for muscarinic mushroom poisoning in the US | Species from the genera Clitocybe and Inocybe |
| Mushrooms that are toxic if eaten raw or undercooked | Gyromitra gigas, Gyromitra esculenta, Gyromitra infula |
Explore related products
$19.06 $24.95
What You'll Learn
Death Cap (Amanita phalloides)
The Death Cap (Amanita phalloides) is a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus and mushroom, one of many in the genus Amanita. It is the most poisonous of all known mushrooms and is responsible for about 90% of mushroom-related deaths globally. It is estimated that as little as half a mushroom contains enough toxin to kill an adult human.
The Death Cap originates in Europe but has been introduced to other parts of the world since the late twentieth century. It grows symbiotically with trees, especially oak, and is often found in parks and gardens. The large fruiting bodies appear in summer and autumn, and the caps are generally greenish with a white stipe and gills. The cap colour is variable, however, and can be pale yellow, greenish, pale brown, or almost white, especially when unopened.
The Death Cap resembles several edible mushroom species, including Caesar's mushroom, the straw mushroom, and the paddy straw mushroom. This increases the risk of accidental poisoning, as people may mistake it for an edible variety. The major toxic mechanism of the Death Cap is the inhibition of RNA polymerase II, a vital enzyme in the synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA, and small nuclear RNA (snRNA). The principal toxic constituent is α-Amanitin, which causes liver and kidney failure.
Symptoms of Death Cap poisoning typically appear 6-12 hours after ingestion, although there may be a delay of up to 24-36 hours. Initial symptoms include violent abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea, causing rapid fluid loss and intense thirst. Within one to seven days of ingestion, organ damage, particularly liver failure, kidney failure, encephalopathy, and death can occur. While there is no effective antidote for Death Cap poisoning, treatment with a compound called silibinin can be administered to reduce organ damage if caught early.
Magic Mushrooms: A Beginner's Guide to Psychedelics
You may want to see also
Deadly Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus)
Out of the thousands of mushroom species, only 15 to 20 are potentially lethal when ingested. One such example is the Deadly Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus), a species of fungus in the family Cortinariaceae. Native to northern Europe, the Deadly Webcap is generally tan to brown in colour, with a conical to convex cap 2.5 to 8 centimetres in diameter.
The Deadly Webcap is one of seven highly toxic species that make up the Orellani, a subgenus within the genus Cortinarius. The mushroom contains orellanine, a powerful mycotoxin that causes kidney failure and is often irreversible. Orellanine is colourless and crystalline and may be converted into orellin, which may also be toxic. It generates oxygen radicals and simultaneously shuts down the oxidative defence by down-regulating most anti-oxidative enzymes. The toxin has a long latency period, with symptoms taking up to three weeks to appear, often leading to misdiagnosis. Initial symptoms are similar to the common flu, but if left untreated, the toxin will cause kidney failure and death.
The danger of Deadly Webcap poisoning was first recognised in 1972 in Finland, where four cases occurred, two of which resulted in permanent kidney failure. In 1979, three people on holiday near Inverness were poisoned after mistaking the Deadly Webcap for the chanterelle mushroom. Two of the three required kidney transplants. In 2008, English author Nicholas Evans mistakenly collected and served Deadly Webcaps to his relatives, resulting in hospitalisation for four of them. He, his wife, and his brother-in-law all required kidney transplants as a result of the poisoning.
The Deadly Webcap is very similar in appearance to the Fool's Webcap (Cortinarius orellanus), another highly toxic mushroom, as well as several edible varieties. It is generally found in high-latitude temperate to subalpine forests throughout the northern hemisphere, including parts of North America and Scandinavia, and is becoming increasingly common in the north of the British Isles.
Reishi Mushrooms: A Psychoactive Superfood?
You may want to see also
Fool's Webcap (Cortinarius orellanus)
Out of the thousands of mushroom species, only 15 to 20 are potentially lethal when ingested. One such deadly fungus is the Fools Webcap (Cortinarius orellanus). Native to Europe, this species is generally tan to brown in colour and has a concave cap of 3 to 6 centimetres in diameter, although some rare specimens can reach up to 8 centimetres. The cap is initially covered in fine, fibrous scales but becomes smooth as the mushroom ages.
Fools Webcap is one of the seven highly toxic species that make up the Orellani, a subgenus within the genus Cortinarius. These mushrooms contain orellanine, a strong nephrotoxin that specifically targets the kidneys. Orellanine generates oxygen radicals while simultaneously shutting down the body's oxidative defence, leading to renal tubular necrosis. The toxin may also be converted into orelline, which is itself potentially toxic.
The danger of consuming Fools Webcap was discovered in 1957, five years after 102 people in Bydgoszcz, Poland, fell ill after eating it. Eleven of those victims ultimately died. Since then, cases of poisoning have been recorded in France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and other parts of Europe. In 2008, English author Nicholas Evans mistakenly served this mushroom to his relatives, resulting in four of them requiring kidney transplants.
The insidious nature of orellanine poisoning lies in its long latency period. Symptoms often take 2 to 3 days, and sometimes even up to 3 weeks, to manifest, leading to potential misdiagnosis. Initial symptoms resemble the common flu, but if left untreated, the toxin will ultimately cause kidney failure and death.
Harvesting Mushrooms: Where to Cut?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$23.24 $24.99
Autumn Skullcap (Galerina marginata)
Out of the thousands of mushroom species, only 15 to 20 are potentially lethal when ingested. Many of these deadly mushrooms bear a striking resemblance to edible varieties, making them extremely dangerous.
One such mushroom is the Autumn Skullcap (Galerina marginata), a species of highly poisonous mushroom-forming fungus in the Hymenogastraceae family of the Agaricales order. Colloquially, it is known by names such as funeral bell, deadly skullcap, and deadly galerina. The fruit bodies of the Autumn Skullcap have brown to yellow-brown caps that fade when drying. The gills are brownish and produce a rusty spore print. A well-defined membranous ring is usually found on the stems of young mushrooms, but it fades as the mushroom ages. The caps of older mushrooms are flatter, and the gills and stems are browner.
The Autumn Skullcap was once believed to be distinct from other species like G. autumnalis, G. oregonensis, G. unicolor, and G. venenata due to differences in habitat and cap viscosity. However, phylogenetic analysis by Norwegian mycologist Gro Gulden and colleagues revealed that they all belong to the same species. The specific epithet "marginata" is derived from the Latin word for "margin" or "edge," while "autumnalis" refers to "autumn."
The Autumn Skullcap is a classic example of a Little Brown Mushroom, a broad category encompassing small to medium-sized brownish mushrooms that are challenging to distinguish from one another. This characteristic makes the Autumn Skullcap even more deceptive and potentially dangerous to unsuspecting foragers.
Harry Styles and His Mushroom Trip
You may want to see also
Poisonous mushrooms resembling edible species
Out of the thousands of mushroom species, only 70 to 80 are known to be poisonous and fatal when ingested. Many of these deadly fungi bear a striking resemblance to edible mushrooms, making them extremely dangerous. Here are some examples of poisonous mushrooms that closely resemble non-toxic species:
Death Cap (Amanita phalloides)
The Death Cap mushroom, often deemed the deadliest of all mushrooms, is found throughout Europe. It closely resembles edible straw mushrooms and Caesar's mushrooms. Its toxins withstand cooking temperatures and rapidly damage cells, leading to violent abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhoea within 6 to 12 hours of consumption.
Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa, Amanita verna)
The Destroying Angel, a deadly poisonous species, is often mistaken for edible button mushrooms or meadow mushrooms. It fruits around mature trees in forests and yards. Its toxins cause severe gastrointestinal issues, including vomiting and diarrhoea, and can lead to liver failure if left untreated.
Webcaps (Cortinarius)
The Deadly Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus) and the Fool's Webcap (Cortinarius orellanus) are two species of Webcap mushrooms that closely resemble each other and several edible varieties. They contain orellanin, a toxin that initially causes flu-like symptoms but can lead to kidney failure and death if untreated.
Autumn Skullcap (Galerina marginata)
The Autumn Skullcap mushroom is sometimes mistaken for hallucinogenic mushrooms. While it is not very similar to edible species, several poisonings have occurred due to collectors mistaking it for Psilocybe mushrooms. It contains the same amatoxins as the Death Cap mushroom and causes diarrhoea, vomiting, hypothermia, and liver damage.
Jack O'Lantern Mushroom (Omphalotus olearius)
The Jack O'Lantern mushroom, known for its slight bioluminescence, can be confused with the edible Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius). However, the Jack O'Lantern has true gills that end abruptly along the stem, while Chanterelles have folds that run along the stem and end unevenly. Ingesting the Jack O'Lantern mushroom can cause severe gastrointestinal distress.
It is crucial to accurately identify mushrooms before consumption to avoid poisoning. Sending photos to experts or using identification guides can help confirm the edibility of a mushroom.
The Ultimate Guide to Preparing Shiitake Mushrooms
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There are over 14,000 species of mushrooms worldwide, but there is no standard identifier for poisonous mushrooms. It is believed that only 70-80 species of poisonous mushrooms are fatal when ingested.
Some of the most well-known deadly mushrooms include the Death Cap, Web Cap, Destroying Angel, Deadly Webcap, Fool's Webcap, Autumn Skullcap, Funeral Bell, Panther Cap, and Angel's Wings.
The symptoms of mushroom poisoning can vary depending on the type of mushroom ingested. Some common symptoms include gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea, severe stomach pains, liver and kidney damage, hallucinations, confusion, and in some cases, death.
If you are foraging for mushrooms, it is important to correctly identify the mushroom using multiple sources or with the help of a professional. It is also crucial to avoid mushrooms with certain characteristics, such as white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, a bulbous base, or red on the top of the stem, as these could be toxic.
