Emma Wilson
There are many toxic mushrooms in the world, but one of the deadliest mushrooms is the Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap. It is estimated that consuming half of this mushroom is enough to kill an adult human. The death cap is responsible for 90% of mushroom-related fatalities every year and has been involved in the deaths of several historical figures, including possibly Roman Emperor Claudius in AD 54. Other deadly mushrooms include the destroying angels, Conocybe filaris, and the webcap mushrooms, which contain toxins that can lead to kidney failure and death if left untreated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the Death Cap |
| Scientific Name | A. phalloides |
| Toxins | Amatoxins, Phallotoxins, Virotoxins, Amanitin |
| Toxic Mechanism | Inhibition of RNA polymerase II, preventing essential protein synthesis and cell metabolism |
| Symptoms | Vomiting, delirium, convulsions, diarrhea, liver and kidney failure |
| Appearance | Greenish cap, white stipe and gills, variable cap colour including white forms |
| Similar Species | Caesar's mushroom, straw mushroom |
| Region | Europe, introduced to other regions since the late 20th century |
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What You'll Learn
- Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the Death Cap, is the deadliest mushroom worldwide
- Conocybe filaris, an innocent-looking lawn mushroom, is potentially fatal if eaten
- The Crimson-brown Lepiote is a highly toxic mushroom that resembles edible species
- Gyromitre, also known as the brain mushroom, is extremely toxic and can cause liver and CNS damage
- Amanita bisporigera is considered the most toxic mushroom in North America
Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the Death Cap, is the deadliest mushroom worldwide
The Death Cap is a basidiomycete fungus and mushroom, one of many in the genus Amanita. It originated in Europe but has since been introduced to other parts of the world, often through the cultivation of non-native oak, chestnut, and pine trees. The large fruiting bodies (the mushrooms themselves) appear in summer and autumn, with greenish caps, white stipes, and gills. However, the cap colour can vary, including white forms, so it is not a reliable identifier on its own.
The Death Cap is especially dangerous because it resembles several edible mushroom species commonly consumed by humans, such as Caesar's mushroom and the straw mushroom. This increases the risk of accidental poisoning, which can be fatal. The principal toxic constituent is α-Amanitin, which causes liver and kidney failure by inhibiting RNA polymerase II, a vital enzyme in the synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Other toxins include β-amanitin and phallotoxins, which are made up of at least seven compounds with similar peptide rings.
Amanita phalloides has been the subject of much research, and its toxic effects have been known for centuries. It may have been responsible for the deaths of historical figures such as Roman Emperor Claudius in AD 54 and Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI in 1740. It is important to be able to distinguish edible mushrooms from toxic varieties, especially when foraging for consumption, as even a small amount of Amanita phalloides can be deadly.
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Conocybe filaris, an innocent-looking lawn mushroom, is potentially fatal if eaten
While the Amanita phalloides, or death cap mushroom, is widely considered the deadliest mushroom in the world, the Conocybe filaris, a common lawn mushroom in the Pacific Northwest, is another innocuous-looking species that is potentially fatal if ingested.
Conocybe filaris, also known as C. filaris, contains the same mycotoxins as the death cap mushroom. The toxins in C. filaris can cause gastrointestinal symptoms within 6 to 24 hours of consumption, which may lead to an initial misdiagnosis of food poisoning or the stomach flu. However, the patient's condition may deteriorate rapidly, leading to life-threatening gastrointestinal distress, liver failure, and kidney failure.
The similarity in appearance between C. filaris and edible mushrooms increases the risk of accidental poisoning. This underscores the importance of proper mushroom identification to avoid potentially fatal consequences. It is crucial to seek expert advice or guidance when foraging for mushrooms to ensure their edibility and avoid the dangers associated with toxic species.
The death cap mushroom, or Amanita phalloides, is responsible for 90% of mushroom-related fatalities worldwide. Its toxins, including amatoxins and phallotoxins, cause cell destruction and liver damage, respectively. The symptoms of poisoning include violent abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and rapid fluid loss, often leading to coma and death. The death cap mushroom resembles edible straw mushrooms and Caesar's mushrooms, making it easily mistaken for safe consumption.
In addition to the death cap mushroom and C. filaris, other deadly mushrooms include the webcap mushrooms, deadly webcap (Cortinarius rubellus) and the fool's webcap (Cortinarius orellanus). These species contain the poison orellanin, which causes symptoms similar to the common flu but can lead to kidney failure if left untreated.
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The Crimson-brown Lepiote is a highly toxic mushroom that resembles edible species
While there are 70-80 species of poisonous mushrooms, only a few are fatal when ingested. One of the most well-known deadly mushrooms is the death cap (Amanita phalloides), which is found throughout Europe and resembles edible straw mushrooms and Caesar's mushrooms. It is estimated that just half a death cap mushroom contains enough toxin to kill an adult human, and it is responsible for 90% of mushroom-related deaths every year.
Another highly toxic mushroom is Amanita bisporigera, considered the most poisonous in North America. Its symptoms include vomiting, delirium, convulsions, diarrhoea, and liver and kidney failure, often leading to death. This mushroom also resembles edible varieties, contributing to its lethality.
Conocybe filaris, commonly found in the Pacific Northwest, is another deadly mushroom that resembles harmless, edible species. It causes severe gastrointestinal distress, liver failure, and kidney failure.
It is important to exercise caution when foraging for mushrooms and to properly identify them before consumption to avoid accidental poisoning.
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Gyromitre, also known as the brain mushroom, is extremely toxic and can cause liver and CNS damage
While only a few of the 70-80 species of poisonous mushrooms are fatal when ingested, many of these deadly fungi bear an unfortunate resemblance to edible mushrooms, making them extremely dangerous. The Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap, is considered the deadliest mushroom worldwide, responsible for 90% of mushroom-related fatalities every year. However, another deadly fungus is the Gyromitra esculenta, also known as the brain mushroom, which is extremely toxic and can cause liver and CNS damage.
The Gyromitra esculenta, or false morel, bears a striking resemblance to true morels, specifically the Morchella species. This similarity has led to fatal cases of mushroom poisoning as people unknowingly consume the Gyromitra variety, mistaking it for its non-poisonous counterpart. Ingesting the Gyromitra mushroom can result in severe health issues and, in some cases, even death.
The toxins present in the Gyromitra mushroom include gyromitrin, helvellic acid, and monomethylhydrazine, a component of rocket fuel. Gyromitrin is particularly toxic to the liver and is metabolized into the potent poison MMH in the body. Initial symptoms of Gyromitra poisoning typically manifest as gastrointestinal issues, including stomach cramps, vomiting, and watery diarrhoea. These symptoms usually resolve within 2-5 days. However, in more severe cases, Gyromitra poisoning can lead to acute liver and kidney injury, seizures, comas, and even death.
The diagnosis of Gyromitra poisoning is primarily clinical, and it stands out from other mushroom poisonings due to the potential for CNS (central nervous system) injury. Diagnostic tests reveal deranged liver and kidney function test results, confirming toxic mushroom ingestion. It is important to note that parboiling and drying Gyromitra mushrooms can eliminate the presence of gyromitrin, making them safer for consumption.
While Gyromitra esculenta collected from Europe is considered "almost uniformly toxic", reports of toxicity from specimens found in the western United States, particularly west of the Rocky Mountains, are less common. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that no fatalities were reported among the 68 cases of Gyromitra and Helvella poisonings in North America between 1985 and 2006.
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Amanita bisporigera is considered the most toxic mushroom in North America
Amanita bisporigera is a species of fungus in the genus Amanita, which contains some of the deadliest Amanita species, including A. phalloides and A. virosa. The species was first described in 1944 by William Murrill, who collected it from Gainesville, Florida. It was originally named Amanita vernella, but was later synonymised with A. bisporigera due to its two-spored basidia.
The mushroom's cap is 3-13 centimetres wide and ranges in shape from egg-shaped to convex to somewhat flattened. The cap surface is smooth and white, sometimes with a pale tan or cream-coloured tint in the centre. The margin of the cap, which is rolled inwards in young specimens, does not have striations or volval remnants. The flesh of the mushroom is thin and white and does not change colour when bruised.
Amanita bisporigera produces two main toxins: amatoxins and phallotoxins. The principal toxic constituent is α-Amanitin, which causes liver and kidney failure. The genetic sequence information of A. bisporigera has been used to identify the genes responsible for the biosynthesis of these toxins, namely AMA1 and PHA1.
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Frequently asked questions
The Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap, is a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus and mushroom. It is estimated that as little as half a mushroom contains enough toxin to kill an adult human.
The death cap has a greenish cap with white blades and a white volva. The cap colour is variable, including white forms, and is thus not a reliable identifier.
The death cap mushroom originates in Europe but has since been introduced to other parts of the world. It is often found in oak, chestnut, and pine forests.
The death cap mushroom contains amanitin, a toxin that causes irreversible damage to the liver and kidneys. Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, delirium, convulsions, and diarrhea, and often lead to death.
Yes, there are several other highly toxic mushrooms, including the Galerina marginata, Gyromitre, Crimson-brown Lepiote, and Jack O'Lantern mushroom. These mushrooms contain deadly toxins that can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, seizures, and liver and kidney damage.
