Toxic mushrooms

Death Angel, Destroying Angel. Amanita phalloides

Because of its high toxicity and common presence in our forests, Amanita phalloides is the most dangerous mushroom and the cause of the majority of fatal poisonings.

It has the typical shape of the amanitas, with a ring around the stem and a volva surrounding the base. Its most characteristic colour is olive green, although some specimens may be yellowish or even almost white. The gills are white with greenish steaks and the stem white.

It may be confused with some green russulas (Russula) but they have neither a ring nor a volva. Also with some meadow mushrooms (Psalliota), which have a ring, but no volva, and pink or brownish gills.

The volva may be covered by leaves and so not be visible at first glance. This is why, in the case of amanitas and other mushrooms that may be mistakenly identified, they should be picked entirely as the presence of a volva and its appearance are very important characteristics for correct identification of the species.

Amanita verna i Amanita virosa

Two other highly toxic amanitas that look very much like the Death Cap, but white in colour, are the Amanita verna, which appears in the spring, and the Amanita virosa, an autumn mushroom, but rather less common than the Death Cap mushroom.

The most frequent habitat of all these amanitas are forests with broad leafed trees.

The first symptoms of poisoning do not appear until several hours after eating the mushrooms, normally about 8 or 10 hours. The first symptoms are gastrointestinal with intense diarrhoea, continued vomiting and dehydration. Later, nervous and liver disorders appear together with a worsening of the general state of health.

Deadly webcap (Cortinarius orellanus), Fool's webcap (Cortinarius Speciosissimus) and others

Some mushrooms of the cortinarius group are very toxic and may even be fatal. The symptoms of poisoning do not appear until several days after their consumption, normally between two and fifteen days; the most important symptoms are tiredness, intense thirst with dryness of the mouth and lips, a burning sensation on the tongue, loss of appetite, headache and liver and kidney disorders.

Fortunately, they are not very common and difficult to confuse with any commonly used edible mushroom. Depending on the species, they are found in deciduous or pine forests.

Gyromitra gigas, Gyromitra esculenta, Gyromitra infula

A mushroom considered edible and very much appreciated in some areas of the Pyrenees, but which is very toxic if eaten raw or under cooked, and may even be fatal.

Therefore, it should only be eaten in small amounts, after having allowed it to dry well and cooked repeatedly, discarding the water from the first boiling.

The signs of poisoning do not appear until a few hours later, with digestive disorders (vomiting, nausea, stomach ache), jaundice and nerve disorders.

Gyromitra gigas and Gyromitra esculenta are found beneath pine trees during the spring, while Gyromitra infula is found in autumn

Amanita muscaria

This toxic mushroom's symptoms of poisoning appear a short time after ingestion (normally between 1 and 4 hours) with digestive disorders (diarrhoea, vomiting, dryness of the mouth), accelerated heart rate and nervous disorders: delirium, nervousness, hallucinations, mental confusion.

The similarity of the name means it may be confused with Royal agaric or Caesar's agaric. The main differences are the presence of white warts on the cap of the Fly agaric the colour of the gills and the stem which are white for the Fly agaric and yellow for the Royal agaric or Caesar's agaric.

It appears in the autumn in forests rich in humus, normally in higher, colder areas than the Royal agaric or Caesar's agaric.

Warted Agaric, False Blusher. Amanita pantherina

This mushroom causes symptoms of poisoning similar to Fly agaric, but more intense because of higher content in toxic substances.

It appears in the autumn and is found in deciduous and pine forests.

It may be confused with the Blusher (Amanita rubescens) and the grey spotted amanita, stout agaric or false panther cap (Amanita spissa), of very similar appearance. Older specimens may also be confused with the Grisette (Amanita vaginata) when panther cap or false blusher has lost its ring and the warts on the cap and the edges have a streaked appearance.

Omphalotus olearius

This species causes serious, but rarely fatal, poisonings. The first symptoms appear shortly after eating the mushrooms and are mainly gastrointestinal disorders: vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, stomach cramp.

They may be easily confused with the False Chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca) and, more difficultly, with the Chanterelle or Yellow Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius). Unlike these mushrooms, which grow in earth, it thrives on stumps and branches of olive and other trees such as holm oaks and oaks, forming numerous clusters; it does not grow on pine trees.

This species is also the cause of serious, but not fatal poisonings characterised by gastrointestinal disorders, vomiting and diarrhoea, which appear soon after consuming the mushrooms.

May be mistaken for the Grey Knight-cap (Tricholoma terreum); which is smaller and limited to low-lands, whereas the Tricholoma pardinum is larger and appears in higher forests. The Grey Knight-cap usually has a hollow stem, whereas in the Tricholoma pardinum the stem is always solid.

Inocybe fastigiata, Inocybe patouillardi and others

The group of Inocybes includes various relatively small-sized mushrooms which must be rejected as some are toxic. Even those that are not so have little culinary value and there is always the danger of confusing them with toxic species.

They thrive in all types of forest land and even in parks and gardens. The first symptoms of poisoning appear quite quickly, sometimes, even before finishing the meal; and consist of heavy sweating, with vomiting, diarrhoea and nervous disorders.

Clitocybe dealbata, Clitocybe rivulosa and others

Some white Clitocybes also cause poisoning similar to that described for Inocybes.

Because of the difficulty of differentiating the species, any white Clitocybes should be rejected.

They may be found in all types forests and even in fields and gardens.

Often confused with the Sweetbread or Miller Mushroom (Clitopilus prunulus), which has crumbly flesh and pinkish gills, whereas Clitocybes have fibrous flesh and white gills.

Satan's mushroom. Boletus satanas

A Mushroom normally considered very toxic, as its name indicates, but it is not one of the most dangerous mushrooms. Eating it causes gastrointestinal disorders, with vomiting and diarrhoea which appear soon after its consumption.

It appears in summer and autumn in deciduous forests. It is not very abundant.

One characteristic that differentiates it from edible caps or queen boletes is that when cut the flesh turns blue. Not all mushrooms whose flesh turns blue in contact with the air are toxic, but if in doubt it is better to reject them.

Lepiota helveola, Lepiota brunneo-incarnata and others

This group includes some species that may be fatal (Lepiota helveola, Lepiota brunneo-incarnata).

These mushrooms are not very abundant, and usually grow in forests with broad-leaf trees and along the edges of paths and tracks.

All are small in size and their appearance means they could be confused with the parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera), which is very much bigger. All small sized lepiotas should be rejected to avoid confusion with the toxic varieties.

The signs of poisoning by consumption of lepiotas are similar to those brought about by the Death Cap mushroom.

Brown roll-rim

If eaten raw it causes very sever, sometimes fatal poisoning.

In spite of the fact that some people consider it edible after being boiled several times, repeated consumption of this mushroom may cause very severe allergic reactions. This is why it should be rejected.