Emily Johnson
Red mushrooms are a diverse group of fungi that stand out in the wild with their brilliant colouring. While some associate the colour red with toxicity, not all red mushrooms are poisonous. In fact, there are more non-red species that are dangerous compared to red ones. One of the most common types of red-capped wild mushrooms is the Amanita muscaria, also known as the fly agaric. Other examples of red mushrooms include the Fistulina hepatica, also called ox tongue, and the Clathrus rubra, a type of stinkhorn. The red reishi mushroom, known scientifically as Ganoderma lucidum, is another well-known variety that has been widely referenced in classical Chinese medicine texts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Reishi, Fly Agaric, Ox Tongue, Poison Fire Coral, Clathrus Rubra |
| Scientific Name | Ganoderma lucidum, Amanita muscaria, Fistulina hepatica |
| Cap Colour | Red, sometimes with white, yellow, or orange spots |
| Cap Shape | Rounded, then hemispherical, then plate-like and flat |
| Cap Size | Up to 8 inches in diameter |
| Stem Colour | White |
| Stem Texture | Slightly brittle, fibrous |
| Stem Size | 2-8 inches high, 0.5-1 inch wide |
| Habitat | Temperate and boreal forests of the Northern Hemisphere, also found in the Southern Hemisphere |
| Season | Late summer to autumn |
| Edibility | Some red mushrooms are edible, some are poisonous, and some have hallucinogenic effects |
| Use | Used in classical Chinese Medicine texts and sacred ritual drinks in India and Iran |
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What You'll Learn
- Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is toxic but not deadly
- Fistulina hepatica, also known as ox tongue, is edible and found in Europe, North America, Africa, and Australia
- Poison Fire Coral is a red mushroom with a deadly reputation
- Reishi mushrooms are in high demand for their health benefits
- Clathrus rubra is a bizarre red stinkhorn that is often bright red and peculiarly shaped
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is toxic but not deadly
While many wild mushrooms are red, one of the most common types is the Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric. This mushroom is characterised by its red or orange cap with white spots and is one of the most recognisable fungi in the world. It is native to the forests of the Northern Hemisphere and has now also been naturalised in the Southern Hemisphere.
Fly agaric is indeed toxic, but not deadly. It contains the psychoactive compounds muscimol and ibotenic acid, which can cause poisoning, especially in children and those seeking its hallucinogenic effects. However, fatal poisonings are extremely rare, and modern medical treatment has made them even rarer. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, hallucinations, involuntary movements, delirium, and seizures.
The mushroom's distinctive appearance has made it a common image in popular culture, from garden ornaments to children's picture books. It has also been featured in paintings since the Renaissance and is the signature mushroom in media such as the Super Mario video game.
While fly agaric is not typically consumed as food, some sources suggest that it can be detoxified and eaten. For example, a 2008 paper by food historian William Rubel and mycologist David Arora describes detoxification methods and advocates for classifying Amanita muscaria as edible. The Sami, for example, have a custom of processing the mushroom through reindeer. However, extreme caution is warranted when identifying and consuming wild mushrooms, as even experts may have difficulty distinguishing between species.
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Fistulina hepatica, also known as ox tongue, is edible and found in Europe, North America, Africa, and Australia
Fistulina hepatica, commonly known as the beefsteak fungus, beefsteak polypore, or ox tongue, is a distinctive-looking fungus. It is edible when cooked, although older specimens may need to be soaked overnight and cooked for a long time to make them tender. It is commonly found in Europe, North America, Africa, and Australia, usually in season from late summer to fall. It is parasitic and saprophytic and prefers growing on tree species such as oak and chestnut. It has also been found on Eucalyptus trees in Australia, where it causes a brown rot on the trees it infects.
The species name hepatica means "liver-like", referring to the consistency of the flesh. The cap is 7–30 centimetres (3–12 inches) wide and 2–6 cm (3⁄4–2+1⁄4 inches) thick. Its shape resembles a large tongue, and it has a rough surface. When young, it is pinkish-red, darkening to reddish-brown with age. The stem, if present, is up to 5 cm (2 inches) long and 4 cm wide. The underside (the hymenium) is creamy-white and made up of a mass of tubules. The flesh bleeds a dull red juice when cut, which can cause stains. This red juice has also been described as looking like blood. The cut flesh resembles meat, and some have likened its appearance to that of the liver. It is sour in taste and has a variety of acids, including oxalic acid, which should be avoided by people with RA or kidney problems.
Fistulina hepatica is considered a good meat substitute due to its texture and appearance, although its taste is rather acidic and slightly bitter, and it does not taste like beef. It is also known as "poor man's steak". It is fairly common and can often be found on oaks and sweet chestnuts, from August to the end of autumn, on either living or dead wood. It tends to impart a reddish-brown stain to the living wood of oaks, creating a desirable type of timber. In Britain and Europe, Fistulina hepatica is the only known species in this genus, although several other Fistulina fungi have been recorded in tropical climates.
Fistulina hepatica is not the only red mushroom out there. There are several other types of red mushrooms, both edible and poisonous. Some examples of red mushrooms include the Reishi mushroom, the Amanita muscaria or fly agaric, and the Clathrus rubra, one of the many red stinkhorns. The Reishi mushroom is hard and has tiny pores instead of gills. It is one of the most studied mushrooms in scientific literature for its multiple health benefits and is often consumed in the form of capsules or extract powders. The Amanita muscaria is extremely easy to identify due to its prominent red cap with white flecks, and it is the inspiration behind the signature mushroom in popular media, from Super Mario to classic fairy stories. The Clathrus rubra is one of the many bright red, peculiarly shaped stinkhorns, which are used to draw in insects that aid in the mushroom's reproduction.
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Poison Fire Coral is a red mushroom with a deadly reputation
While red mushrooms stand out in the wild, not all of them are poisonous. However, Poison Fire Coral, or Trichoderma cornu-damae, is a red mushroom with a deadly reputation. It is one of the world's deadliest mushrooms and has been responsible for several human fatalities. The fungus was once thought to be exclusive to South Korea and Japan, but it has now been found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, China, Thailand, and possibly other places.
Poison Fire Coral contains an often fatal dose of the mycotoxin satratoxin-H, a trichothecene mycotoxin. This toxin is poisonous to ingest and has been known to cause horrific symptoms, including stomach pain, vomiting, fever, numbness, skin peeling, brain shrinkage, and problems with perception, movement, and speech. In one case, a person in Japan died within two days of consuming one or two grams of the mushroom's fruit body soaked in sake. In another instance, an autopsy revealed multiple organ failure, including acute kidney failure, liver necrosis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.
The Poison Fire Coral mushroom is bright red and resembles coral or antlers. It can be identified by its red coral-like shape and bright appearance. It is often found in mountainous areas and rainforests. Due to its deadly nature, it is essential to be able to distinguish Poison Fire Coral from other red mushrooms that are safe to consume. For example, the Amanita muscaria, or fly agaric, is a common red-capped mushroom with white flecks that is toxic but not deadly. It can cause gastrointestinal distress and neurological symptoms such as hallucinations but is not usually fatal.
While it is debated whether touching Poison Fire Coral will cause skin irritation, it is known that the mushroom contains toxic compounds that can be absorbed through the skin. Researchers have warned that even touching the fungus can cause inflammation and dermatitis, and it is the only known mushroom where toxins can enter the body through dermal contact. Therefore, it is essential to avoid touching Poison Fire Coral in the wild and to seek medical attention if exposure occurs.
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Reishi mushrooms are in high demand for their health benefits
While there are several types of red mushrooms, including the Fistulina hepatica, commonly known as "ox tongue", and the Amanita muscaria, also known as "fly agaric", one red mushroom that is in high demand for its health benefits is the reishi mushroom.
Reishi mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lucidum, mannentake, and lingzhi, are a fungus found in hot and humid Asian countries. They have a long history in traditional Eastern medicine, believed to promote long-term health and longevity. Ancient Chinese medicine praised reishi mushrooms for their ability to treat a variety of conditions, including asthma, dizziness, insomnia, and irregular heartbeat.
Today, reishi mushrooms are in high demand for their abundant health benefits. They contain beta-glucans, a form of soluble fiber, and triterpenes, which can lower blood sugar and blood pressure levels, reducing the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Reishi mushrooms may also boost the immune system, improve fatigue, and have anti-cancer properties. They are believed to increase the number of white blood cells in the body and improve their function, stimulating the growth of natural killer cells that target abnormal cells, including cancerous ones.
Reishi mushrooms are available fresh, as well as in the form of nutritional powder, dietary supplements, and tea. They can be purchased from health food stores and specialist retailers, but due to their popularity, there has been an influx of fake or mislabelled supplements on the market. It is recommended to speak to a doctor before adding reishi mushrooms to your diet, as they may cause complications for certain individuals, especially those taking blood thinners or immunosuppressant medications.
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Clathrus rubra is a bizarre red stinkhorn that is often bright red and peculiarly shaped
Clathrus ruber, commonly known as the basket stinkhorn, is a type of fungus in the family Phallaceae. It is often bright red and peculiarly shaped, with a round or oval hollow sphere structure and interlaced branches. This fungus is native to southern and central continental Europe, Macaronesia (the Azores and the Canary Islands), western Turkey, North Africa (Algeria), and western Asia (Iran). It has also been introduced to other regions, possibly through imported garden mulch or the soil of plants brought in from elsewhere.
The name "Clathrus" is derived from the Ancient Greek "kleithron," meaning "lattice," while "ruber" comes from Latin and means "red." This fungus was first scientifically described in 1729 by the Italian Pier Antonio Micheli, who gave it its current scientific name. However, it was illustrated much earlier in 1560 by the Swiss naturalist Conrad Gesner, who mistook it for a marine organism.
Clathrus ruber is a saprobic fungus, meaning it decomposes wood and plant matter. It is commonly found fruiting in mulch beds, growing alone or clustered near woody debris in lawns, gardens, and cultivated soil. The fruit body initially appears as a whitish "egg" attached to the ground by cords called rhizomorphs. As the egg ruptures, the fruit body expands, revealing a spongy lattice structure that surrounds a layer of olive-green spore-bearing slime called the gleba.
The pigments responsible for the orange to red colours of the mature fruit bodies are carotenes, specifically lycopene and beta-carotene, the same compounds found in tomatoes and carrots. Clathrus ruber can be distinguished from other similar species by the absence of corrugated rims surrounding each mesh of the fruit body. While it is considered edible when young and small, it becomes poisonous once it matures and develops black spores.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Fistulina hepatica, commonly known as ox tongue, is edible and used as a meat substitute. It is common in Europe, North America, Africa, and Australia.
Yes, Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is toxic. It is widely spread across the globe and typically found in deciduous and coniferous forests. It has been used in religious ceremonies and for recreational purposes due to its hallucinogenic effects.
Other red wild mushrooms include Poison Fire Coral, Clathrus rubra (a type of stinkhorn), and Reishi. While Reishi mushrooms are in high demand for their health benefits, they are hard to find in the wild.
