John Miller
Mushrooms are a delicious addition to any meal, but it's important to know how to identify poisonous varieties to avoid food poisoning or even death. Many mushrooms have poisonous look-alikes, and it can be difficult to tell the difference without studying them in depth. While some sources suggest taste-testing a tiny amount, this method is not recommended as it can be dangerous. Instead, it's best to leave mushroom foraging to professional mycologists or experts who can correctly identify safe varieties. If you do choose to forage for mushrooms, it's important to be vigilant for symptoms of poisoning, such as gastrointestinal upset, excessive sweating or tears, and seek medical treatment immediately if any symptoms occur.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Should be dry, plump, and evenly coloured. No bruises, dark spots, discolouration, or slimy film. |
| Texture | Should be firm, not sticky, wrinkled, or shrivelled. |
| Smell | Should have a light earthy smell. A foul odour indicates spoilage. |
| Storage | Store on a shelf in the refrigerator, not in a produce drawer. Keep mushrooms in a paper bag or wrapped in a paper towel to prevent moisture. |
| Expiry | Fresh mushrooms can be stored for up to 7 days in the fridge before they start to spoil. |
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What You'll Learn
- Avoid wild mushrooms, stick to the ones from the supermarket
- If you must forage, only eat mushrooms you can identify 100%
- Be cautious of false morels and other poisonous look-alikes
- If you've ingested a poisonous mushroom, call Poison Control
- If you're unsure, don't eat it—get it identified by a mycologist
Avoid wild mushrooms, stick to the ones from the supermarket
It is important to be able to identify mushrooms before consuming them, as some can be toxic and even deadly. While some mushrooms are safe to eat, like the Giant Puffball, Beefsteak Fungus, and Chicken of the Woods, there are many poisonous mushrooms that look similar to edible ones. For example, the Amanita family, which includes the "death angel", is one of the most poisonous mushrooms and can cause organ failure. Even non-poisonous mushrooms can cause unpleasant reactions in people who are sensitive to them.
It is therefore best to avoid foraging for wild mushrooms and instead purchase them from the supermarket, where they have been deemed safe for consumption. If you do choose to forage for mushrooms, it is critical to only do so with someone highly experienced in identifying both edible and poisonous mushrooms. Mushroom identification experts can help identify mushrooms that are safe to eat and avoid those that are toxic. It is also important to be aware of the environment in which the mushrooms are growing, as fungi absorb pollutants from the environment.
There are some general guidelines to help identify whether a mushroom is poisonous or not. For example, it is recommended to avoid all gilled mushrooms unless you can identify them with 100% certainty. Additionally, some mushrooms with sponge-like pores and stout stems, such as those in the Boletus family, are poisonous if they have any red on them or if their flesh stains blue when cut in half. Milkcaps, which exude a milky substance, should also be avoided unless you are certain they are edible, as they can be very acrid.
If you do choose to consume wild mushrooms, it is important to be vigilant for any symptoms of mushroom poisoning, which can include gastrointestinal upset, excessive salivation, tears, lactation, or sweating. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical treatment immediately. It is also important to watch for a re-emergence of symptoms after medical treatment, as some mushrooms can cause a period of apparent improvement before relapsing and causing organ failure.
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If you must forage, only eat mushrooms you can identify 100%
If you must forage for mushrooms, only eat those that you can identify with 100% certainty. Some mushrooms are toxic and can kill, so it is imperative that you are certain of a mushroom's identity before consuming it.
When foraging, take good quality pictures of the mushroom in its native environment, including photos of both the top and underside. Note the location where you found the mushroom, and take pictures of nearby trees and the surface on which it was growing. The more information you can provide, the easier it will be to identify the mushroom with certainty.
Once you have identified the mushroom, there are some additional checks you can perform to ensure it is safe to eat. Firstly, check for any signs of spoilage, such as slimeness, discolouration, or bruising. If the mushroom looks wet, has a slimy film, or feels sticky, it is no longer edible. Fresh mushrooms should be dry, crisp, and plump, with a light earthy smell. If the mushroom has any of these visual or olfactory signs of spoilage, discard it.
If the mushroom passes the initial visual and olfactory checks, you can perform additional tests to ensure it is safe. For example, if you have identified the mushroom as an Agaric, perform the bruise test. Bruise the cap of the mushroom, and if it stains a bright chrome yellow, it is probably poisonous. If it stains pale yellow, pink, or red, it is likely edible. However, there is a further test to establish toxicity. Smell the mushroom, and if it has an unpleasant chemical odour, it is toxic.
Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you have any doubts about the identity or edibility of a mushroom, do not consume it.
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Be cautious of false morels and other poisonous look-alikes
Morel mushrooms are fun to forage and delicious to eat, but it's important to be cautious of false morels and other poisonous look-alikes. The term "false morel" describes several species of mushrooms that contain the toxin monomethyl hydrazine (MMH), which is found in rocket fuels. Consuming MMH can cause dizziness, vomiting, diarrhoea, and even death. While some cultures do consume false morels, it's challenging to determine the toxicity level of each mushroom, and most false morels require special cooking preparations. Therefore, it's highly recommended to avoid consuming false morels unless you are guided by an experienced forager or hunter.
False morels, despite their name, can look quite different from true morels. False morels often appear larger and beefier than true morels. When cut in half, false morels exhibit chambered interiors, while true morels are hollow from top to bottom. False morel caps typically have brain-like features, with folds or wrinkles, and are often brittle. The caps are usually brown, reddish-brown, or yellow, and they hang freely from the stem. In contrast, true morel caps have a more uniform shape with pits or ridges that angle inwards, resembling a honeycomb. The caps of true morels are usually attached to the stem, although this is not always the case.
To avoid accidentally consuming false morels, it's essential to learn about morel mushroom identification before heading out into the woods. Study the physical characteristics of both true and false morels, paying close attention to the cap shape and the structure of the interior. Additionally, seek guidance from experienced hunters or foragers who can help you identify true morels from their poisonous look-alikes. Remember, when it comes to mushroom foraging, safety should always come first.
- Morel mushrooms are often found in areas where the forest floor has been disrupted.
- True morels are typically found in the spring, while false morels can be found later in the year, although this is not a hard-and-fast rule.
- Always follow ethical foraging practices and respect the environment.
- Be cautious and responsible during your foraging adventures, ensuring proper identification of mushrooms to avoid any potential risks.
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If you've ingested a poisonous mushroom, call Poison Control
If you've ingested a poisonous mushroom, it is imperative that you call Poison Control immediately. Do not delay, as symptoms of mushroom poisoning can range from benign gastrointestinal upset to life-threatening conditions such as liver and kidney failure, and neurologic sequelae. Even breathing in the cooking fumes from some poisonous mushrooms can be toxic.
When calling Poison Control, be prepared to provide as much information as possible about the mushroom(s) ingested. Take clear, close-up photos of each type of mushroom, ensuring that distinct features such as colour, texture, and cap appearance are visible. Place the mushrooms in a plastic bag and do not handle them directly, as inhalation of spores can be dangerous. Provide details about the amount ingested and any other relevant history, such as alcohol consumption, as this can impact the effects of certain mushrooms.
If you are in a remote location and far from medical facilities, administering activated charcoal may help to delay or limit toxin absorption. However, always consult with Poison Control or a medical professional before taking any action. They will work with mushroom identification experts and emergency room staff to ensure proper treatment.
It is important to note that mushroom poisoning can be severe and even life-threatening. Therefore, if you suspect mushroom poisoning, do not hesitate to call Poison Control or seek emergency medical attention.
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If you're unsure, don't eat it—get it identified by a mycologist
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, and while many varieties are edible, some are poisonous or even deadly. It is critical that you only hunt mushrooms if you are experienced in identifying edible varieties. If you are unsure if a mushroom is safe to eat, don't eat it—get it identified by a mycologist.
There are no reliable home tests to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms. While some sources suggest a taste test, this is not recommended as it could be dangerous. Even professionals make mistakes, so it is important to be cautious. If you are interested in mushroom hunting, consider signing up for a class taught by a mushroom expert to learn how to identify safe varieties correctly. Classes are offered through colleges, universities, and mycology clubs, such as the North American Mycological Association.
Some general guidelines can help you identify edible mushrooms, but these are not foolproof. For example, Chanterelles are yellow to golden-yellow with wavy, upturned edges and a stalk that thickens where it joins the cap. They are often found under hardwood trees and conifers in the fall to early spring. Puffballs are globe-shaped with white or pale tan caps and unique, densely packed spines on the cap, which brush off easily. Cut puffballs in half to check that they are good to eat—they should be pure white inside. If they are yellow or brown inside, they are no longer edible.
It is important to be aware that some mushrooms have poisonous counterparts, so it is best to stick to mushrooms you can identify with certainty. For example, while morels are edible, there are "false morels" with varying levels of toxins that look very similar. Some mushrooms contain toxins that cause hallucinations, such as the "golden top" (Psilocybe subaeruginosa), which looks very similar to the potentially deadly Galerina mushroom.
If you suspect that you or someone in your care has eaten a poisonous mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to occur before seeking medical attention. Contact your local poison control center or emergency services, depending on the severity of the situation. Provide as much information as possible, including a description or sample of the mushroom, how much was eaten, and how recently.
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Frequently asked questions
Unless you are an expert, it is very difficult to tell if a mushroom is safe to eat. It is recommended that you only eat mushrooms bought from a reputable source. If you are foraging for mushrooms, it is critical that you are experienced in identifying edible varieties. If you are unsure, do not eat it.
The Amanita family, including the death cap (Amanita phalloides), is one of the most poisonous mushrooms and is responsible for most mushroom-related deaths worldwide. The Galerina marginata, also known as the "deadly Galerina", is another highly poisonous mushroom. The Jack-o'-lantern mushroom will not kill you but will cause digestive discomfort for several days.
Chanterelles are yellow to golden-yellow with wavy, upturned edges and a stalk that thickens where it joins the cap. They are often found under hardwood trees and conifers in the fall to early spring. Maitake mushrooms, also known as hen of the woods, have small, overlapping tongues or fan-shaped caps and grow at the base of hardwood trees like oaks. They have a single white stem and the underside looks like the bottom of a cauliflower.
If you suspect that you have eaten a poisonous mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Seek emergency medical care right away. If you are in Australia, contact the Victorian Poisons Information Centre (VPIC) at Tel. 13 11 26. If you are in North America, contact Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222.
