Laura Smith
Mushrooms are a great source of food and have remarkable health benefits. However, some mushrooms are toxic and can cause serious illness or even death. The mushrooms that grow on trees are the visible fruiting bodies of a larger fungus growing inside the tree. Mushrooms that grow on living trees are usually parasitic and can infect the entire host, causing it to die. Some parasitic mushrooms, like Lion's Mane, are edible and medicinal, but others, like the Death Cap, are deadly. Poisonous mushrooms can be mistaken for edible ones, so it is important to be able to identify mushrooms with absolute certainty before consuming them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of mushroom species worldwide | Over 140,000 |
| Mushrooms growing on trees | Visible fruiting bodies of a larger fungus growing inside the living or dead tree |
| Mushrooms growing on dead trees, stumps, and branches | Saprotrophic (decomposers that feed on dead and decaying wood) |
| Mushrooms growing on living trees | Parasitic (need living hosts for nutrients and infect the entire host, causing it to die) |
| Poisonous mushrooms on trees | Jack O'Lantern, Deadly Galerina, Poison Pie, Funeral Bell, Destroying Angel, Death Cap, Deadly Skullcap, Angel's Wings, Fool's Conecap |
| Poisoning symptoms | Gastrointestinal discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, liver failure, kidney failure, death |
| Poisoning treatment | No known antidote for Death Cap poisoning; rapid treatment needed for Deadly Skullcap poisoning to prevent death |
| Safe foraging advice | Accurate identification of mushrooms is crucial; avoid wild mushrooms unless 100% sure they are edible |
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What You'll Learn
How to identify poisonous mushrooms
Mushrooms that grow on trees can be poisonous and even deadly. Poisonous mushrooms can kill, so it is important to be able to identify them accurately before consuming them. Here are some tips to help you identify poisonous mushrooms:
Learn Common Poisonous Mushrooms
First, familiarize yourself with the common poisonous mushrooms in your area. Some of the most well-known poisonous mushrooms include:
- Jack O'Lantern: This bright orange mushroom grows on trees in North America and Europe and can cause serious illness if ingested, including vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps. It is often mistaken for the edible Chanterelle mushroom.
- Deadly Galerina: This small, brown mushroom grows on trees in the northern hemisphere and contains a potent toxin called amatoxin. Ingesting even a small amount can be fatal. It has a distinctive ring on its stem and a smooth cap.
- Angel's Wings: This white, fan-shaped mushroom grows on trees in temperate forests and can cause serious illness if ingested.
- Poison Pie: This mushroom has a radish-like smell and thick flesh and is often mistaken for the edible Honey Mushroom. It has a distinctive ring on its stem and a smooth cap.
- Funeral Bell: This small brown mushroom grows on dead or decaying wood and contains a toxic compound called amatoxin, which can cause severe liver and kidney damage.
- Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa): This mushroom is native to forests and yards and is one of the many deadly poisonous species within the Amanita genus.
Identify Mushroom Families
Learn about the different mushroom families and their characteristics. For example, the Agaric family has edible members with pink to brown/black gills, a white cap, and a stout stem. However, there are also toxic members of this family that look very similar. If you bruise the cap of an Agaric mushroom and it stains bright chrome yellow, it is likely poisonous.
Bolete Mushrooms
The Boletus, Suillus, and Leccinum families are easy to identify as they lack gills but have sponge-like pores and generally stout stems. To determine edibility, check for any red on the mushroom, including the cap, stem, or pores. If there is any red present, treat the mushroom as poisonous.
Other Tips
- Do not consume any wild mushrooms unless you are 100% sure of their identification.
- Be especially cautious with wild mushrooms that grow around trees such as Pines, Oaks, and Maples, as some poisonous mushrooms are known to grow in these areas.
- Attend wild food foraging classes or consult identification books and pictures to improve your identification skills.
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Mushrooms that grow on trees
While some mushrooms that grow on trees are edible and provide health benefits, others are poisonous and can even be deadly. It is important to be able to identify the different types of mushrooms accurately before consuming them. Some common edible mushrooms that grow on trees include Oyster mushrooms, Elm oyster mushrooms, Aspen oyster mushrooms, Chicken of the Woods, Lions Mane, Wood Ear mushrooms, and Enokitake or Velvet Shank mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms are particularly popular among chefs due to their subtle flavors and meaty flesh. They are also known for their health benefits and are widely cultivated worldwide.
On the other hand, poisonous mushrooms that grow on trees can cause serious illness and even death if ingested. Some of the most toxic mushrooms in this category include the Deadly Galerina, Jack O'Lantern, Angel's Wings, Poison Pie, and Funeral Bell. The Deadly Galerina, for example, contains a potent toxin called amatoxin, which can cause serious gastrointestinal symptoms and lead to liver failure and death. The Jack O'Lantern mushroom, often mistaken for the edible Chanterelle mushroom, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and liver failure. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to identify mushrooms with absolute certainty before consuming them.
It is worth noting that the mushrooms growing on trees are typically the visible fruiting bodies of a much larger fungus growing inside the living or dead tree. These fungi obtain their nutrients from the organic matter around them and form various relationships with their host trees. Some fungi are parasitic, feeding on living hosts and eventually causing their death, while others are saprotrophic, decomposing dead organic matter and playing a vital role in ecosystems. Additionally, some fungi form beneficial symbiotic relationships with living trees, known as mycorrhizal mushrooms, where they exchange nutrients and moisture.
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The dangers of mistaking poisonous mushrooms for edible ones
Mistaking poisonous mushrooms for edible ones can have serious health consequences, including death. While some rules can help avoid poisonous mushrooms, such as avoiding those with white gills or a ring on the stem, there are no hard-and-fast rules. Many poisonous and edible mushrooms look very similar, and even experts can struggle to tell them apart.
Some of the most toxic mushrooms belong to the Amanita family, which includes the Destroying Angel and the Death Cap. The Destroying Angel, which fruits around mature trees, has a domed cap and a white or off-white stem. The Death Cap, which contains amatoxin, is reportedly very tasty, but one bite can lead to sudden and severe liver failure.
Other poisonous mushrooms that grow on trees include the Deadly Galerina, which is often mistaken for other small, brown mushrooms. It contains amatoxin and can cause serious illness and death. The Jack O'Lantern, which grows on trees in North America and Europe, can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, cramps, and even liver failure and death. It is often mistaken for the edible Chanterelle mushroom.
The Poison Pie, which grows under hardwood and coniferous trees, is often mistaken for the edible Honey Mushroom. However, it has a distinctive ring on its stem and a smooth cap, while the Honey Mushroom has a scaly cap and no ring. The Funeral Bell, which grows on dead or decaying wood, also contains amatoxin and can cause severe liver and kidney damage.
It is important to be 100% sure of a mushroom's identity before consuming it and to seek emergency medical care if an unidentified mushroom is ingested.
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The impact of poisonous mushrooms on human health
Mushrooms have been consumed by humans since prehistory, and mushroom toxicity has been known for millennia. Mushroom poisoning results from ingesting mushrooms that contain toxic substances. Of the vast number of mushroom species, there are only about 100 that are toxic. However, it is important to note that fungi that are harmless to invertebrates can still be toxic to humans. Poisonous mushrooms can be found in people's yards, especially around pine, oak, and maple trees. They can also be found in forests, woodlands, and gardens.
It is important to be able to accurately identify poisonous mushrooms to avoid ingestion. Some poisonous mushrooms have distinctive features, such as the Deadly Galerina, which has a ring on its stem and a smooth cap. However, many edible mushrooms also look very similar to poisonous varieties, so it is crucial to be 100% sure of the identification before consumption. Misidentification of poisonous mushrooms as edible is a common reason for mushroom poisoning. To prevent this, mushroom gatherers should familiarize themselves with both edible and toxic mushroom species.
While most mushroom ingestions with gastrointestinal symptoms recover without complication, some cases require medical intervention. For example, Cortinarius ingestion can lead to renal impairment, with some cases requiring hemodialysis or even kidney transplantation. Amanita toxicity has been known to result in liver transplantation in some patients. Therefore, it is crucial to seek medical help if mushroom poisoning is suspected.
In addition to the negative impacts of poisonous mushrooms on human health, mushrooms also offer a host of benefits. They are a good source of sustainable protein and have been shown to support mental health treatment and cancer recovery. Mushrooms have also been used to clean up environmentally devastating oil spills. Overall, while poisonous mushrooms can have severe impacts on human health, non-toxic varieties offer a range of benefits that can improve human health and sustainability.
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The role of mushrooms in ecosystems
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that plays a crucial role in ecosystems. They are known for their unique ability to break down organic matter and facilitate the transfer of nutrients back into the soil, enriching it and promoting the growth of other organisms. While some mushrooms are edible and offer culinary and medicinal benefits, others are highly toxic and can lead to serious illness or even death if ingested. Understanding the role of mushrooms in ecosystems and being able to identify poisonous varieties is essential for both ecological preservation and human safety.
Mushrooms obtain their nutrients from the organic matter around them, including living or dead trees, stumps, branches, and decaying wood. They can be broadly classified into two types: saprotrophic and parasitic. Saprotrophic mushrooms, also known as decomposers, feed on dead and decaying organic matter. They play a vital role in ecosystems by breaking down complex organic compounds into simpler forms, creating compost that enhances soil fertility and benefits trees and plants. On the other hand, parasitic mushrooms, such as Lion's Mane, attach themselves to living hosts, deriving their nutrients from them. Over time, they can infect and eventually cause the death of their host trees.
The visible mushrooms that grow on trees are the fruiting bodies of a much larger fungus growing inside the tree. These mushrooms can be woody, leathery, or fleshy and are firmly attached to the tree trunks and branches. Some common mushrooms that grow on trees include the shiitake mushroom, chicken of the woods, and oyster mushrooms. Shiitake mushrooms are prized for their culinary and medicinal properties and are the third most cultivated mushroom species globally. They grow in groups on fallen branches in warm, moist environments and have dark-brown, umbrella-shaped caps. Chicken of the woods is a brightly coloured edible bracket fungus that grows in large clusters on dead and decaying trees. Oyster mushrooms are popular gourmet mushrooms that are easy to cultivate and are often used in cooking.
While many mushrooms are harmless and offer various benefits, it is crucial to be aware of the deadly varieties that can pose significant risks to human health. Poisonous mushrooms contain toxins, often produced for self-defence, and can cause severe gastrointestinal issues, organ failure, and even death. Some of the most toxic mushrooms include the Death Cap, commonly found in Europe and responsible for the majority of fatal mushroom poisonings due to its resemblance to edible species. Ingesting Death Caps leads to liver and kidney failure and has been implicated in several famous assassinations throughout history. Another highly toxic mushroom is the Deadly Galerina, found in the northern hemisphere, which contains amatoxin and can cause serious illness and death even in small amounts. Other poisonous mushrooms to look out for include Jack O'Lantern, Angel's Wings, and Destroying Angel.
In conclusion, mushrooms play a critical role in ecosystems by breaking down organic matter and enriching the soil. They offer culinary, medicinal, and ecological benefits. However, it is essential to exercise caution and properly identify mushrooms before consumption, as some varieties are extremely toxic and can lead to fatal outcomes. Understanding the role of mushrooms in ecosystems and their potential dangers is vital for maintaining a healthy relationship with these fascinating organisms.
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Frequently asked questions
No, some mushrooms form symbiotic relationships with the trees they grow on. However, some fungi can be particularly bad for trees.
Honey fungus mushrooms are harmful to trees. They are yellowish-brown and grow in clusters around a tree's roots. They usually have a white ring around their stems and flat tops. Other harmful mushrooms include the Destroying Angel, Deadly Galerina, Poison Pie, and Funeral Bell.
If you see mushrooms growing on your tree, it is important to get in touch with a tree care expert to determine exactly what is going on and how best to proceed.
