Edible and Poisonous Fungi

Many edible fungi have lookalikes which may be poisonous. Even the Field Mushroom has its evil twins. Depending on the fungus, a person may suffer from a mild stomach upset to a fatal poisoning, and it only takes a small amount of the most dangerous mushrooms to cause death. This page gives an insight into some of the more likely fungi candidates.

If wild fungi are collected for eating, guidelines should be followed:-

1. Learn to recognise the Death Cap and other deadly species.

2. Any specimen of uncertain identity should be identified by an expert.

3. Do not mix species.

4. Only fresh specimens should be considered as contaminated specimens can result in poisoning.

5. Wild mushrooms should be properly cooked before they are eaten. Species not previously tried should initially be eaten in only small quantities.

AMANITA: Two of the world's most poisonous fungi belong to the amanita genus.

The Death Cap (Amanita Phalloides) and the Destroying Angel (A. Virosa) cause body cell damage, normally fatal. The infamous Fly Agaric (A.Mascaria) and the Panther (A. Pantherina) cause severe poisoning. Even the edible amanita species must be properly cooked before eating as some contain chemicals that damge blood cells.

BOLETUS: Several boletes are known to cause digestive system irritation. Devil's Boletus (Boletus Satanas) causes unpleasant syptoms even when taken in small amounts. Similar poisoning is caused by the Bitter Bolete (Tylopilus Felleus), Peppery Bolete (Chalciporus Piperatus) and Boletus Calopus all of which have an unpleasant peppery or bitter taste.

'Mental effects of Fungus Poisoning' .

By English mycologist Worthington G Smith.

Appeared in The Graphic, 15 November 1873.

COPRINUS: The Common Ink Cap (C. Atramentarius) contains coprine which if consumed with alcohol causes nausia, headaches, palpitations and collapse. It is known as the 'Antabuse Effect'. Related species such as the Magpie Ink Cap (C.Picaceus), Coprinus Acuminatus and Coprinus Romagnesianus are also thought to have a similar effect. Only the Shaggy Inkcap (C. Comatus) should be trusted.

CORTINARIUS: Very little is known about the edibility in this large genus. Two of them,

C. Orellanoides and C. Orellanus are deadly poisonous, the whole of this genus should be avoided. Also toxic species of this genus are the INOCYBES. Red Staining Inocybe (I. Patouillardii) causes death by heart failure or asphyxiation. The Straw-Coloured Inocybe (I. Fastigiata) contains the chemical muscarine which induces sweating and can also lead to death.

PSILOCYBE: The Liberty Cap or Magic Mushroom affects sensory perception. Its hallucinogenic properties have been taken advantage of and when dried this fungi becomes an illegal drug.

SCLERODERMA: The Common Earth-Ball (S. Citrinum) causes gastric upsets and the similar Smooth Earthball

(S. Verrucosum) can cause a bad case of diarrhoea. Earthballs are often confused with edible Puffballs.

On one hand fungi can be the most fascinating flowerless plants in a forest, so familiar yet so alien. But on the other, it can be the deadliest organism on earth. The Death Cap is the most dangerous fungus known to us. If even the smallest piece of the cap is eaten, there is normally no turning back.

Amanitin is a highly poisonous chemical, found in the Death Cap and other poisonous amanitas. Amanitin poisoning is NOT A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE. Symptoms do not begin for at least ten hours. Death may be delayed for as long as ten days. When the toxin finally affects the victim, it causes severe abdominal upset, followed by liver, kidney, and circulatory system failure. The poison is usually fatal, there is no known antidote, and the progressive effect of the toxin causes the victim terrible suffering.

If you don't want this scenario to happen to you, just don't eat wild shrooms, go to your local grocery shop and buy the safe stuff. Field Mushroom you rock!