Emily Johnson
The world of mushrooms is incredibly diverse, with thousands of species, each with its own unique characteristics. While some mushrooms are sought after for their culinary and medicinal properties, others are notorious for their deadly toxicity. The title of the deadliest mushroom in the world goes to the infamous Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the Death Cap. This mushroom is responsible for a staggering 90% of mushroom-related fatalities each year, making it a formidable foe for mushroom enthusiasts and foragers alike. With its ability to cause irreversible liver and kidney failure, the Death Cap has earned its reputation as a true mushroom menace.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the Death Cap |
| Scientific Name | Amanita phalloides |
| Type | Poisonous basidiomycete fungus and mushroom |
| Genus | Amanita |
| Toxins | Amatoxins, including α-Amanitin and β-amanitin |
| Toxin Effects | Amatoxins are thermostable, meaning they are not reduced by cooking. They cause irreversible damage to the liver and kidneys, resulting in organ failure and death. |
| Symptoms | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, seizures, and possible liver and central nervous system damage |
| Appearance | Caps range from greenish-yellow to brown, tan, or rarely white, with a diameter of 4 to 16 cm. The flesh is white and does not change color when sliced. The stipe (stalk) is white or yellowish and is 4 to 18 cm long. |
| Confusion with Edible Mushrooms | Resembles edible straw mushrooms and Caesar's mushrooms, increasing the risk of accidental poisoning. |
| Notable Incidents | Possibly involved in the deaths of Roman Emperor Claudius in AD 54 and Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI in 1740. |
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What You'll Learn
- Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the Death Cap, is the deadliest mushroom worldwide
- Poisonous Conocybe filaris mushrooms are common lawn mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest region of the US
- Deadly webcaps (Cortinarius rubellus) are native to Northern Europe
- Autumn Skullcaps (Galerina marginata) are common throughout the Northern Hemisphere and parts of Australia
- Gyromitre, a rare red mushroom mainly found in Asia, is extremely toxic
Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the Death Cap, is the deadliest mushroom worldwide
The Death Cap is a poisonous basidiomycete fungus and mushroom, one of many in the genus Amanita. It originates in Europe, though it has since been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America, where it was brought on the roots of imported trees. It is now an invasive species on every continent except Antarctica.
The Death Cap is particularly dangerous because it resembles several edible and commonly consumed mushroom species, including Caesar's mushroom and the straw mushroom. Its toxic effects are not reduced by cooking, as the mushroom contains amatoxins, which are heat-stable. These toxins cause rapid cell damage throughout the body, leading to violent abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhoea within 6 to 12 hours of consumption. This results in a rapid loss of fluids and intense thirst, followed by severe liver, kidney, and central nervous system involvement.
Amanita phalloides has been the subject of extensive research, and its principal toxic constituent has been identified as α-Amanitin, which causes liver and kidney failure. This toxin inhibits RNA polymerase II, a vital enzyme in the synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA, and small nuclear RNA (snRNA). Without mRNA, essential protein synthesis and cell metabolism are halted, leading to cell death.
The Death Cap mushroom typically appears in summer and autumn, with caps ranging in colour from greenish-yellow to brown, tan, or rarely, white. The caps are generally greenish with a white stipe and gills, though the cap colour can vary, and thus is not a reliable identifier. The flesh inside the cap is white and does not change colour when sliced.
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Poisonous Conocybe filaris mushrooms are common lawn mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest region of the US
While only a few of the 70–80 species of poisonous mushrooms are fatal when ingested, the Conocybe filaris species is one of them. These mushrooms are common lawn mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. They are often described as innocent-looking, small, and bell-shaped, with caps that are 0.5–2 cm in diameter. They are usually brown, greasy, or moist, with brownish-purple gills. They tend to grow in clusters or scattered, and their habitat preferences suggest they are saprotrophic, helping to decompose organic matter.
Conocybe filaris is especially dangerous because it contains the same mycotoxins as the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides), which is considered the deadliest mushroom worldwide, responsible for 90% of mushroom-related fatalities. These toxins are heat-stable and quickly damage cells throughout the body, causing liver and kidney failure. Ingesting C. filaris can cause similar lethal organ failure and death. Initial symptoms of gastrointestinal distress may appear 6–24 hours after consumption, leading to misdiagnosis as food poisoning or the stomach flu. The patient may appear to recover, only to suffer a life-threatening recurrence of symptoms.
In the Pacific Northwest, C. filaris is often found on lawns, in grassy areas, and on wood chips, rich soil, and compost. It has also been reported in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Colorado. This species is not limited to the Pacific Northwest, however, as it has been found in Europe, Asia, and across North America, including in Russia.
To avoid accidental poisoning, it is essential to be able to identify deadly mushrooms, especially when they resemble edible species. The death cap, for example, looks similar to Caesar's mushroom and the straw mushroom, which are commonly consumed. Knowing the characteristics of dangerous species like Conocybe filaris can help prevent ingestion and reduce the risk of fatal poisoning.
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Deadly webcaps (Cortinarius rubellus) are native to Northern Europe
The Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap, is a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus and mushroom, and is one of the deadliest mushrooms in the world. However, the Deadly Webcaps (Cortinarius rubellus) are also among the world's most poisonous mushrooms. They are native to Northern Europe, particularly in Scandinavia and the northern parts of the British Isles. They are also found in parts of North America, such as British Columbia and western Washington.
Deadly webcaps are generally tan to brown all over, with a conical to convex cap that is 2.5 to 8 centimetres in diameter. They are highly toxic, and ingestion often results in irreversible kidney failure. The danger of poisoning was first recognized in 1972 in Finland, where four cases had occurred, two of which resulted in permanent kidney failure. In 1979, three people on holiday in Inverness were poisoned after mistaking it for the chanterelle. Two of the three required kidney transplants.
The deadly webcap is also known to have poisoned Nicholas Evans, the author of 'The Horse Whisperer', his wife Charlotte Gordon Cumming, and two other relatives in September 2008. They had gathered the mushrooms on holiday, and all four victims were informed that they would require kidney transplants in the future.
The Cortinarius rubellus is one of seven highly toxic species that make up the Orellani, a subgenus within the genus Cortinarius. They contain the toxin orellanine, which destroys the kidneys and liver. The danger of consuming deadly webcaps is further exacerbated by their young specimens' physical characteristics, which include a veil between the cap and the stem that resembles a cobweb. This veil, however, partially or completely disappears as the specimen ages.
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Autumn Skullcaps (Galerina marginata) are common throughout the Northern Hemisphere and parts of Australia
Autumn Skullcaps (Galerina marginata) are a species of highly poisonous mushroom-forming fungus in the Hymenogastraceae family of the Agaricales order. They are commonly known as funeral bells, deadly skullcaps, or deadly galerinas. The fruit bodies of the mushroom have brown to yellow-brown caps that fade in colour when drying, with brownish gills that produce a rusty spore print. The caps are typically 1 to 6 centimetres in diameter, starting convex and expanding as they grow.
Autumn Skullcaps are common throughout the Northern Hemisphere, including in Europe and Asia, as well as parts of Australia. They are also found in North America, where they are especially prevalent in the Pacific Northwest region. This mushroom is a classic ""little brown mushroom", a category that includes all small to medium-sized, brownish mushrooms, making it easily confused with edible species.
The specific epithet "marginata" is derived from the Latin word for "margin" or "edge", while "autumnalis" means "of the autumn". The name "Galerina" means "like a helmet", with the specific epithet referring to the generally paler marginal area of the caps compared to the centre.
Autumn Skullcaps contain deadly poisonous amatoxins, the same toxins found in Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the Death Cap mushroom. These toxins cause sickness and vomiting, followed by liver damage and potentially death if left untreated. The relative scarcity of Autumn Skullcaps and their resemblance to edible species may explain why relatively few people have died from consuming this fungus.
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Gyromitre, a rare red mushroom mainly found in Asia, is extremely toxic
While the Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap, is often considered the deadliest mushroom in the world, the Gyromitra esculenta, or false morel, is another toxic fungus that poses significant health risks. This rare red mushroom, mainly found in Asia, has a long history of poisonings across Europe and North America, particularly in Germany, Poland, Finland, and Michigan.
The Gyromitra esculenta closely resembles the true morels of the Morchella species, leading to accidental consumption by foragers. The false morel produces gyromitrin, a water-soluble and volatile mycotoxin. Gyromitrin is metabolized into monomethylhydrazine (MMH), a potent cytotoxin that causes acute injury to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Symptoms of Gyromitra poisoning, or Gyromitra syndrome, include a gastrointestinal prodrome, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, followed by acute organ injury and confusion. In severe cases, refractory seizures and coma may occur.
The toxicity of Gyromitra esculenta mushrooms can be reduced by proper preparation techniques such as parboiling, washing, and drying. Cutting the mushrooms into small pieces and repeatedly boiling them in large amounts of water can remove a significant amount of gyromitrin, making them safer for consumption. However, it is important to note that gyromitrin toxicity is more pronounced when the mushrooms are consumed raw or poorly cooked, and severe toxicity may result from ingesting the cooking juices.
While Gyromitra esculenta is the most well-studied species, other Gyromitra species, including Gyromitra gigas (Snow morel) and Gyromitra fastigiata, also contain gyromitrin. However, human poisonings have not been attributed to these species. The gyromitrin content in Gyromitra mushrooms varies, with higher concentrations found in the stems and in mushrooms collected at lower altitudes.
In summary, Gyromitra esculenta, a rare red mushroom, is extremely toxic and can cause serious health issues, including organ failure and neurological damage. Proper preparation techniques can reduce the toxicity of these mushrooms, but consumption carries significant risks. Foragers and mushroom enthusiasts must be cautious and well-informed to avoid accidental poisoning by this deadly fungus.
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