fungi – Forage Me Not

Published October 19, 2015

Fly agaric

Scientific name: Amanita muscaria

Common names: Fly agaric, fairy toadstool

Hazard associated: Contains toxins which can cause delirium, seizures and possibly coma states.

Notes:

Poisonings from eating fly agaric have occurred in children and in adults seeking “altered states”.
In the early stages of development of A. muscaria before the cap opens up, it might be mistaken for some of the edible puffballs.
Variations from the classic red with white spots look have led to A. muscaria being mistaken for other species which has led to mishaps.
This fungus has been associated with shamanism for centuries.
The lethal dosage is thought to be about 15 caps for an adult, less for a child.

Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanita_muscaria

Image credits:

“2006-10-25 Amanita muscaria crop” by Amanita_muscaria_3_vliegenzwammen_op_rij.jpg: Onderwijsgekderivative work: Ak ccm – This file was derived from Amanita muscaria 3 vliegenzwammen op rij.jpg:. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 nl via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2006-10-25_Amanita_muscaria_crop.jpg#/media/File:2006-10-25_Amanita_muscaria_crop.jpg

Published September 28, 2015

Autumn skullcap

Scientific name: Galerina marginata
Common names: Autumn skullcap

Hazard associated: Causes liver damage.

Notes:

Different people may react differently to it.
This mushroom is often mistaken for several edible species such as Kuehneromyces mutabilis (see right) and this has led to severe and in some cases lethal poisonings.
Galerina marginata has been mistaken in the past with representatives of the genus Psilocybe by those interested in collecting hallucinogenic mushrooms. This has resulted in severe poisonings.
This fungus grows in rotted wood and where moss occurs.

Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galerina_marginata

Image credits:

“Gifthäublinge” by Lebrac – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gifth%C3%A4ublinge.jpg#/media/File:Gifth%C3%A4ublinge.jpg
“Kuehneromyces.mutabilis.-.lindsey” by James Lindsey at Ecology of Commanster. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kuehneromyces.mutabilis.-.lindsey.jpg#/media/File:Kuehneromyces.mutabilis.-.lindsey.jpg

Published September 23, 2015

Death cap

Scientific name: Amanita phalloides

Common names: Death cap

Hazard associated: Lethal if ingested. Causes abdominal cramps, nausea and diarrhoea, jaundice and organ failure.
There may be a delay of several hours between ingestion and the initial symptoms of gastric upset.

Notes:

The toxic compounds cannot be removed by soaking, cooking or drying.
The diagnostic features for identification are shown on the image to the right.
As little as one cap can be deadly if ingested.
Occurs in south-eastern Australia often in association with oak trees.

Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanita_phalloides

Image credits:

All images from http://www.anbg.gov.au/fungi/deathcap.html

Published July 1, 2015

Yellow stainer

Scientific name: Agaricus xanthodermus

Common names: Yellow stainer

Hazard associated: Causes abdominal cramps, nausea and diarrhoea.

Notes:

All parts poisonous
Different people may react differently to it.
This fungus is sometimes mistaken for the edible field mushroom. It can be distinguished from the field mushroom by its unpleasant smell, its squarish stem and the yellow stain that often appears on the lower stem when bruised.
It occurs in lawns and gardens. Two thirds of reported cases of poisoning were in children under five years of age. In 86 per cent of these cases, the children ate mushrooms growing in their gardens at home.

Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agaricus_xanthodermus

Image credits:

“Agaricus xanthodermus section” by Velella – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Agaricus_xanthodermus_section.jpg#/media/File:Agaricus_xanthodermus_section.jpg