John Miller
Mushrooms are a tasty treat, but they can also be deadly. Mushroom poisoning is a serious issue, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between edible and poisonous mushrooms. Many poisonous mushrooms bear an unfortunate resemblance to edible species, and even cooking them won't always eliminate the toxins. Some of the most dangerous mushrooms include the death cap, the deadly webcap, and the fool's webcap. These mushrooms contain toxins that can cause organ failure and death. To prevent mushroom poisoning, it's important to only eat mushrooms purchased from a reputable source and to seek medical attention immediately if poisoning is suspected.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Excess moisture | Encourages mushroom growth |
| Drainage | Install drainage tiles, create raised beds, or amend soil to enhance drainage |
| Soil chemical composition | Adjust pH imbalances by adding lime to raise the pH |
| Natural remedies | Vinegar, boiling water, commercial fungicides |
| Poisonous mushrooms | Death cap (Amanita phalloides), Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus), Conocybe filaris, Autumn Skullcap (Galerina marginata) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Humans are the biggest threat to aardvarks
Aardvarks are killed by farmers who want to prevent them from digging up their land. They are also affected by the use of pesticides, which kill the insects they feed on, such as ants and termites. The aardvark's large front claws are adept at tearing open termite mounds and ant nests, allowing them to lap up tens of thousands of insects with their long, sticky tongues. However, these insects are becoming scarcer due to the use of pesticides.
Aardvarks are solitary and nocturnal, spending most of their time underground. They are rarely seen by people, and little is known about their mating habits in the wild. They are protected in national parks and nature reserves, but outside of these areas, they face threats from human activities.
The name "aardvark" comes from the Afrikaans word "erdvark", meaning "earth pig" or "ground pig". This name reflects the aardvark's burrowing habits and their resemblance to pigs, especially in their body and snout. Despite their name, aardvarks are not closely related to pigs. Instead, they are the sole surviving species of the mammalian order Tubulidentata and are more closely related to elephants, manatees, and golden moles.
Conservation efforts are important to protect aardvarks from human-induced threats. By preserving their natural habitats and reducing the use of pesticides, we can help ensure the survival of these fascinating creatures.
Mushroom Head: A Unique Cap Shape
You may want to see also
Identifying death cap mushrooms
Death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) are one of the deadliest mushrooms in the world, causing 90% of mushroom poisoning deaths worldwide. Young and mature death caps are equally toxic, and even a few bites can be enough to kill a child or pet. Therefore, it is important to know how to identify them.
Death caps typically have a smooth, domed or flat cap, which may be off-white, yellow, or green in colour. The diameter of the cap is usually between 3 and 6 inches. The colour of the cap can vary based on its growing conditions, and older mushrooms can become almost brown. The gills of the mushroom are broad, free, and white, turning cream or slightly pink as they age. The gills are crowded together near the outer edges of the mushroom's cap and are very finely attached to the stem. The stalk of the mushroom is usually 5–18 cm tall and 1–2.5 cm thick, with a loose, white membrane at the top that looks like a skirt. The mushroom also has a large, bulbous cup at the base of its stem, which is typically underground.
Death caps are native to Europe but can now be found throughout the world, particularly in forests and near trees, especially oaks or pines. They typically emerge in the spring, late summer, and fall, and rainfall and temperature have a big impact on their growth.
If you are unsure whether a mushroom is a death cap, do not eat it. It is better to be safe than sorry. Instead, have it identified by a mycologist or opt for a different mushroom.
Mushrooms: Slow Carb Superfood?
You may want to see also
Death cap mushroom poisoning
Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap, is a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus and mushroom. It is the deadliest mushroom worldwide, responsible for 90% of mushroom-related fatalities every year. It is estimated that as little as half a mushroom contains enough toxin to kill an adult human. The death cap mushroom has been introduced to new regions with the cultivation of non-native oak, chestnut, and pine species. The large fruiting bodies appear in summer and autumn; the caps are generally greenish in colour with a white stipe and gills. The cap colour is variable, including white forms, and is thus not a reliable identifier.
The death cap mushroom contains toxins that stop the production of protein in liver cells, leading to possible liver failure and death. The liver is the principal organ affected, as it is the organ first encountered after absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, though other organs, especially the kidneys, are susceptible. The principal toxic constituent is α-Amanitin, which causes liver and kidney failure. Treatments are available, but none are 100% effective.
The death cap mushroom resembles several edible mushroom species, increasing the risk of accidental poisoning. Some may mistake juvenile death caps for edible puffballs or mature specimens for other edible Amanita species, so some authorities recommend avoiding collecting Amanita species for consumption altogether.
In 2025, death cap mushrooms allegedly killed three lunch guests in Australia. The incident resulted in a trial, with Erin Patterson on trial for allegedly murdering three of her lunch guests and poisoning her estranged husband.
Lysol's Effectiveness Against Mushroom Spores
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Death cap mushroom distribution
The death cap mushroom, or Amanita phalloides, is a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus. It is the deadliest mushroom worldwide, responsible for 90% of mushroom-related fatalities every year. Death caps contain the poison amanitin, and as little as half a mushroom can contain enough toxin to kill an adult human. The principal toxic constituent is α-amanitin, which causes liver and kidney failure. The death cap also contains phallotoxins and virotoxins, though these add little to the mushroom's toxicity as they are not absorbed through the gut.
Death caps typically grow near broadleaf trees such as oaks, birches, and elms, forming a symbiotic relationship with the trees' roots. They are fairly common in most parts of the UK and are often found in the eastern United States, possibly due to their association with pine trees. Death caps have also been introduced to other parts of the world since the late twentieth century, possibly through the cultivation of non-native species of oak, chestnut, and pine.
The death cap mushroom is similar in appearance to several edible species, most notably Caesar's mushroom and the straw mushroom, which increases the risk of accidental poisoning. The caps are generally greenish with a white stipe and gills, though the cap colour is variable and can be white or even all-white, making it difficult to identify based on colour alone. The gills underneath the cap are white, close together, and do not attach to the stipe. The flesh inside the cap is also white and does not change colour when sliced. The stipe is white or yellowish and is relatively even or sometimes upwardly tapering. The mushroom has a foul odour when mature, though it smells pleasant when immature.
Due to their high toxicity and resemblance to edible mushrooms, death caps have been used as an invisible murder weapon for millennia. It is said that Agrippina murdered her husband, Roman Emperor Claudius, by mixing death cap juice with Caesar's mushrooms.
Mushroom Varieties for the Perfect Pizza
You may want to see also
Human uses of fly agaric
Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) is a poisonous and psychoactive mushroom that has been used by humans for various purposes throughout history. Here are some details on its human uses:
Religious and Spiritual Ceremonies
Fly agaric has a long history of use in religious and spiritual ceremonies, particularly among northern European and Asiatic shamans. In Siberia, its use is associated with shamanic rituals, where shamans consume the mushrooms to enter a trance state. In western Siberia, only shamans used fly agaric, while in eastern Siberia, both shamans and laypeople used it for religious and recreational purposes. The Sami people, also known as Laplanders, believe that ingesting fly agaric gives the sensation of flying in a "spiritual sleigh" pulled by reindeer or horses, similar to Santa Claus's sleigh journey.
Traditional Medicine
Fly agaric has been used medicinally for hundreds of years among tribal peoples in Siberia, as well as in parts of Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and Russia. In modern times, some individuals have reported using it to treat symptoms related to Lyme disease, tinnitus, substance dependence/withdrawal, depression, and other conditions. It has also been studied for its potential anti-tumor and memory-protecting activities.
Insecticide
The name "fly agaric" derives from its traditional use as an insecticide. The mushroom contains ibotenic acid, which attracts and kills flies. In Europe, the practice of sprinkling the mushroom in milk to kill flies has been recorded in Germanic and Slavic-speaking regions, France, and Romania.
Food and Beverage
In remote areas of Lithuania, fly agaric has been consumed at wedding feasts, where the mushrooms were mixed with vodka. However, it is important to note that fly agaric is highly toxic and can cause hallucinations, psychotic reactions, and stomach cramps. Ingestion of these mushrooms is one of the most common causes of mushroom poisoning.
Drying Mushrooms: Does It Kill Their Spores?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
To kill uard mushrooms growing in your lawn, wear gloves and use a natural fungicide such as vinegar. Dilute 4 parts water to 1 part vinegar and spray directly onto the mushrooms. The acetic acid in vinegar will kill the mushrooms but be careful as it will also kill anything else it comes into contact with.
To prevent uard mushrooms from growing in your lawn, use baking soda or dish soap. Baking soda raises the pH of the soil, so dissolve 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a gallon of water and pour the mixture around and over the mushrooms. For dish soap, agitate 1-2 tablespoons into 3 gallons of water and pour the soapy water over the mushrooms. Both methods will need to be repeated several times.
If you suspect that you have eaten a poisonous uard mushroom, seek medical attention immediately. Contact the Victorian Poisons Information Centre for advice (Tel 13 11 26) and provide them with a sample or photo of the mushroom to help with species identification and risk assessment. If the person has collapsed, stopped breathing, is having a fit, or is suffering an anaphylactic reaction, immediately call an ambulance.
Symptoms of uard mushroom poisoning can vary from slight gastrointestinal discomfort to organ failure and death. Serious symptoms may not occur immediately after eating, often taking days or weeks to appear once the toxin has attacked the kidney or liver. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
