Common Poisonous Mushrooms
1. Death Cap (Amanita phalloides): Responsible for the majority of mushroom poisoning deaths worldwide.
2. Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa): Similar in appearance to the Death Cap and equally deadly.
3. False Morel (Gyromitra esculenta): Contains gyromitrin, which is metabolized into a toxic compound.
4. Jack O'Lantern (Omphalotus illudens): Causes severe gastrointestinal distress.
5. Panther Cap (Amanita pantherina): Contains toxins that affect the central nervous system, leading to hallucinations and delirium.
6. Deadly Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus): Causes kidney failure if ingested.
7. Conocybe filaris: Contains amatoxins, which are deadly to the liver.
8. Autumn Skullcap (Galerina marginata): Contains the same deadly amatoxins as the Death Cap.
9. Yellow Stainer (Agaricus xanthodermus): Causes gastrointestinal distress, though not deadly.
10. Poison Fire Coral (Podostroma cornu-damae): Contains potent toxins that can cause organ failure and death.
Important points about poisonous mushrooms:
Characteristics
- Appearance: Poisonous mushrooms often resemble edible varieties, making them difficult to identify. Some common types include Death Cap (Amanita phalloides) and Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa).
- Toxins: Different species contain various toxic compounds, such as amatoxins, which can cause severe liver damage, or muscarine, which affects the nervous system.
Symptoms of Poisoning
- Initial Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea, which may appear within a few hours after ingestion.
- Delayed Symptoms: Some mushrooms cause delayed symptoms, such as jaundice, confusion, or seizures, indicating liver or kidney damage.
Safety Tips
- Identification: Never eat wild mushrooms unless positively identified by an expert. When in doubt, leave it out.
- Cooking: Cooking does not necessarily neutralize all toxins. Some mushrooms remain poisonous even after thorough cooking.
- Emergency: If poisoning is suspected, seek immediate medical attention. Bring a sample of the mushroom for identification, if possible.
Prevention
- Education: Learn to identify common poisonous mushrooms in your region.
- Supervision: Keep children and pets away from areas where poisonous mushrooms grow.