Michael Davis
Red top mushrooms, also known as Amanita muscaria, are large white-gilled, white-spotted mushrooms with bright red caps. They are one of the most recognisable fungi in the world and are native to the Northern Hemisphere's temperate and boreal forests. They are also known as fly agaric or fly amanita, and they exhibit complex genetic diversity, suggesting they are a species complex rather than a single species. While some red mushrooms are poisonous, others are edible and even provide health benefits. For example, the Fistulina hepatica, or ox tongue, is an edible red mushroom that is an excellent meat substitute. On the other hand, the Emetic Russula, or vomiting russula, is a red mushroom that will cause vomiting if eaten.
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What You'll Learn
- Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is a red-topped mushroom
- Fistulina hepatica, also known as ox tongue or beefsteak, is edible
- Some red mushrooms are poisonous, but not all
- Reishi mushrooms are red and highly regarded in traditional Chinese medicine
- Russulas are another variety of red-capped mushrooms
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is a red-topped mushroom
The red-topped mushroom typically features a bright red cap, covered with distinctive white warts and white spots. The red colour may fade after rain and in older mushrooms. The cap is usually 8–20 centimetres in diameter, although larger specimens have been found. The gills and stipe are white, with the stipe measuring 5–20 cm high by 1–2 cm wide. The mushroom has a mild earthy smell.
Amanita muscaria is a basidiomycete fungus of the genus Amanita. It exhibits complex genetic diversity, suggesting it is a species complex rather than a single species. As the fungus grows, the red colour appears through the broken veil and the warts become less prominent. The cap changes shape from globose to hemispherical, and finally to plate-like and flat in mature specimens.
The red-topped mushroom is known to be poisonous, especially to children and those seeking its hallucinogenic effects, due to psychoactive compounds like muscimol and ibotenic acid. However, fatal poisonings are extremely rare. Despite this, there are unconfirmed reports of religious use of Amanita muscaria among some Subarctic Native American tribes, as well as medicinal and recreational use among a Parachi-speaking group in Afghanistan.
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Fistulina hepatica, also known as ox tongue or beefsteak, is edible
Red top mushrooms, or Amanita muscaria, are commonly known as fly agaric or fly amanita. They are large white-gilled, white-spotted mushrooms with bright red caps. While they are known to cause poisoning, fatal poisonings are extremely rare.
Fistulina hepatica is a red mushroom species that is common in Europe, especially in forested areas. It also grows in North America, Africa, and Australia and is usually in season from late summer to fall. This mushroom is parasitic and saprophytic, favouring tree species such as chestnut and oak. It is relatively rare and is mostly found through foraging rather than commercial cultivation.
Fistulina hepatica is unique among red mushroom species due to its crimson colour and peculiar shape. It is classified as a cyphelloid genus, meaning it is closely related to gilled fungi, but its fertile surface consists of smooth cup-shaped elements instead of gills. The underside, or hymenium, is a mass of tubules that represent a "reduced" form of the ancestral gills.
As Fistulina hepatica grows, it changes colour from red to brown and becomes softer and more gelatinous. It is one of the few mushroom species that can be consumed raw, although older specimens may need special preparation as their juice can cause gastric upset. They contain vitamin C, fibre, folate, and potassium.
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Some red mushrooms are poisonous, but not all
Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals, but they are part of the fungi kingdom. They are unique in that they lack chlorophyll and must take nutrients from other materials. Some red mushrooms are poisonous, but not all. For example, the emetic russula, a red mushroom, is considered poisonous because it causes vomiting if ingested. It has a uniformly red cap with off-white gills and a stalk, and its flesh is brittle. It grows on moss and in mixed woods. Another red mushroom, the Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita, can also be poisonous, especially to children and those seeking its hallucinogenic effects. However, fatal poisonings from this mushroom are extremely rare. It is a large, white-gilled, white-spotted mushroom with a bright red cap covered with distinctive white warts.
On the other hand, some red mushrooms are edible. For example, the Fistulina hepatica, also known as "ox tongue" or "beefsteak," is an edible red mushroom that is commonly found in Europe, particularly in forested areas. It also grows in North America, Africa, and Australia and is usually in season from late summer to fall. This mushroom has a sour and acidic taste that becomes stronger as it grows, so it is often prepared in cream-based recipes. It is also one of the few mushroom species that can be consumed raw. As the Fistulina hepatica matures, it changes colour from red to brown and becomes softer and more gelatinous.
Another example of an edible red mushroom is the reishi mushroom, also known as Ganoderma lucidum or lingzhi. This mushroom is indigenous to Europe, Asia, and North America and is typically in season from late summer through autumn. It is hard, and its underside has tiny pores instead of gills. Red reishi mushrooms, in particular, have been referenced in classical Chinese Medicine texts and studied in scientific literature for their multiple health benefits.
While some red mushrooms are poisonous and others are edible, it is important to note that the line between the two can be thin, and they may look similar to the untrained eye. Therefore, it is crucial to properly identify a mushroom before consuming it.
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Reishi mushrooms are red and highly regarded in traditional Chinese medicine
Reishi mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lucidum and lingzhi, are red fungi indigenous to Europe, Asia, and North America. They are highly regarded in traditional Chinese medicine, where they are known as the "'mushroom of immortality'" or the "herb of spiritual potency". They are believed to symbolise success, well-being, divine power, and longevity.
Reishi mushrooms have been revered for centuries by emperors, poets, healers, and sages. They are native to tropical and temperate climates and can be found growing on dead and fallen logs of deciduous hardwood trees, such as oak and maple. The mushroom is hard, and its underside has tiny pores instead of gills. It is typically in season from late summer through autumn when it reaches full maturity.
In traditional Chinese medicine, reishi mushrooms are believed to have various health benefits, including controlling blood glucose levels, modulating the immune system, hepatoprotection, and bacteriostasis. The mushroom has a high concentration of polysaccharide compounds called beta-glucans, which are thought to support immune function. Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have historically prescribed reishi to balance Qi (vital energy).
The use of reishi mushrooms in Chinese medicine is based on a combination of anecdotal evidence, traditional use, and cultural mores. Representations of the mushroom began to appear in Taoist art in the 1400s, and it was considered so valuable that only members of the noble classes could afford it. Today, reishi mushrooms are available in various forms, including powders, dietary supplements, and tea. However, due to their popularity, there has been an influx of fake or mislabelled supplements on the market.
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Russulas are another variety of red-capped mushrooms
Red-capped mushrooms are highly fascinating due to their bright colours and unique shapes. They are often found in lawns, creating beautiful clusters of red and orange hues. While some red-capped mushrooms are edible, others are among the most poisonous mushrooms that should be avoided. Therefore, it is crucial to correctly identify a red-capped mushroom before consuming it.
Russula mushrooms are known for their colourful caps and fragile gills. Their caps are generally very round and brightly coloured, with red, yellow, purple, green, white, and grey being the most common colours. The cap diameter ranges from as small as 1 inch to over 6 inches, although most stay medium-sized with a cap diameter of up to 8 cm. As the mushrooms mature, the caps open up and flatten out, and at full maturity, the cap edges may flare upwards, revealing their gills.
Russula mushrooms have distinctive characteristics that make them stand out. They form mycorrhizal associations with trees, benefiting both the fungus and the host plant. They inhabit a variety of ecosystems, including deciduous and coniferous forests, and can be found in moist and dry habitats depending on the species. Russulas grow from the ground, never from wood or trees, and each specimen has its own stem. These stems are normally white, stout, and straight, with a diameter of up to 2 cm. The Russula family is unique due to its rounded cell structure, which gives the mushrooms a different texture compared to other species.
Identifying Russula mushrooms can be challenging due to the large number of species and their diverse colours. While it is relatively easy to identify a mushroom as belonging to the Russula genus, distinguishing between individual species often requires microscopic characteristics and subtle subjective distinctions, such as flavour differences. Therefore, it is important to exercise caution when foraging and consuming Russula mushrooms, as some species can be toxic.
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Frequently asked questions
Red-top mushrooms, also known as Amanita muscaria, are large white-gilled, white-spotted mushrooms with a bright red cap. They are commonly known as fly agaric or fly amanita and are native to the Northern Hemisphere's temperate and boreal forests.
Red-top mushrooms are poisonous and can cause poisoning, especially in children and those seeking its hallucinogenic effects. However, fatal poisonings are extremely rare. It is important to properly identify mushrooms before consuming them, as some edible mushrooms may have a similar appearance.
Yes, there are several other types of red mushrooms, including the Fistulina hepatica, also known as "ox tongue" or "beefsteak", and the Reishi mushroom, which is indigenous to Europe, Asia, and North America. Additionally, the Russula genus includes many different varieties of red-capped mushrooms, such as the Emetic Russula, which is considered poisonous.
