Mushrooms are one of the tastiest ingredients ever discovered. There are many hybrid mushrooms available as well. But you know what? There are over 70 species of poisonous mushrooms, a few of them even lead to death. While some have a rare look, most of the intoxicated mushroom species look like our regular button mushrooms. And for this particular reason, many people have faced fatal consequences. Find out our list of the top ten most poisonous mushrooms ever discovered:
Deadly Dapperling (Lepiota brunneoincarnata)
Source: Alchetron
Widely found in the conifer forests throughout North America, Europe, and even in parts of Asia, the Deadly Dapperling tops our list of the ten most poisonous mushrooms ever. Over the years, this mushroom species has been responsible for literally killing people. The gilled mushroom and many others, belonging to the same Lepiota family contain deadly amatoxins. Amatoxin is known to be capable of causing liver destruction. The Deadly Dapperling mushroom accounts for almost 80% of deaths ever caused by any mushroom poisoning. Though mushroom poisonings are uncommon, they still need immediate treatment. Some of the common initial symptoms include gastrointestinal and intestinal distress.
2. Podostroma cornu-damae
The funky looking Podostroma cornu-damae is a rare mushroom species. It is mostly found in Asia, specifically in Japan and Korea. Though its red fruity look is enough to differentiate it as something out of the common, it still has caused numerous fatalities. The fungi’s body is made up of trichothecene mycotoxins, which are poisonous enough to cause death if consumed. When eaten, Podostroma cornu-damae causes multiple organ failure. The poisoning symptoms are somewhat similar to that of leukemia. Consumption of this poisonous mushroom leads to hair loss, liver necrosis, peeling skin, low blood pressure, stomachache, acute kidney failure, and even cause brain damage.
3. Destroying Angels (Amanita species)
Destroying Angels are incredibly poisonous mushroom species. They belong to the genus Amanita and contain the lethal amatoxins. Amanita bisporigera, found in North America is the most toxic of them all. Destroying Angels look very similar to the meadow and the edible button mushrooms. Due to this, many people who have mistakenly consumed them have faced fatal consequences. Their all-white look is kind of deceiving and therefore the highest level of precautions should be taken here. Generally, it takes approximately 5 to 24 hours for the symptoms to appear. Some most common of them are vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, delirium, and liver destruction.
4. Autumn Skullcap (Galerina marginata)
Located all over the Northern Hemisphere, even in the Arctic and in some parts of Australia, the Autumn Skullcap grows itself on dead wood. They are gilled mushrooms and look very similar to the edible mushroom species. For this, they have been responsible for numerous human deaths. People usually confuse Autumn Skullcap with the edible velvet foot, sheathed woodtuft, honey fungus, and hallucinogenic psilocybe mushrooms. Like the other poisonous mushrooms, Galerina Marginata is also coated with amatoxins. Vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage, and hypothermia are some of the common symptoms amongst others. The affected person must immediately be given proper treatment.
5. Deadly Webcaps (Cortinarius species)
Cortinarius rubellus, commonly known as Deadly Webcap, is indeed one of the deadliest mushrooms ever discovered. It was in 2008 when Nicolas Evans, an English, collected and served these webcaps to some of his relatives. This resulted in their hospitalization and the need for a kidney transplant. When investigated, deadly webcaps were added to the list of poisonous mushrooms. They have a similar appearance to many edible mushroom species but actually contain orellanin poison. Orellanin is a fatal toxin and has a comparatively long latency period. It usually takes 2 days to even 3 weeks after consumption, to cause any kind of symptoms. Often, orellanin is misdiagnosed, eventually leading to kidney failure and even death if not treated immediately.
6. Conocybe Filaris
An innocent-looking lawn mushroom, Conocybe Filaris leads to fatality if consumed. They are found in the Pacific Northwest region of the US and takes around 6 to 24 hours to show up the symptoms. They are made up of amatoxin, and its consumption leads to irreparable liver damage. Though it doesn’t look similar to most of the edible species, Conocybe Filaris has been mistaken for Psilocybes mushroom species. This is the main cause of accidental consumption.
7. Death Cap (Amanita phalloides)
Native to the whole of Europe and mostly found under the oak trees, The Death Cap mushrooms are known to have caused numerous deaths in the past. From the Roman Emperor Claudius to Pope Clement VII, this deadly mushroom species is responsible for some notable fatalities. It looks similar to some edible mushroom species including Caesar’s mushroom and the paddy straw mushrooms. After around 6 to 12 hours of consumption, The Death Cap begins to show its symptoms. Aggressive abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting are some of its initial symptoms, which might turn into other serious ones such as central nervous breakdown if left untreated. 50% of its consumers have been victims of situations like a coma.
8. False Morel (Gyromitra esculenta)
This ridiculous looking, human-brain kind of mushroom species is known as False Morel. Scientifically called Gyromitra esculenta, this type of fungus, too is worthy of causing death if consumed raw. For people who have properly cooked and eaten False Morel, describe them as one of the most delicious mushrooms they’ve ever eaten. They are made up of the toxin gyromitrin which eventually becomes monomethyl hydrazine after consumption. False morel is found throughout North America and Europe. Some of its post-consumption symptoms include diarrhea, dizziness, and headache.
9. Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)
Fly Agaric, scientifically known as Amanita Muscaria is another poisonous mushroom species. With the instantly noticeable bright red cap with white spots, this fungus seems to have directly come out of a fairy tale. It actually looks attractive and beautiful. Fly Agaric consists of two main toxins, out of which one is ibotenic acid and the other is muscimol. Some pieces of evidence even show that these mushrooms were purposely used in ancient rituals, for they lead to crazy behavior after intoxication. Symptoms usually occur after an hour of consumption and include nausea, hallucinations, and even affects the central nervous system.
10. Angel Wing (Pleurocybella porrigens)
Located throughout the Northern Hemisphere, Angel Wing belongs to the poisonous mushroom tribe. Though it leads to comparatively less uneasiness after consumption, Angel Wing reportedly killed a 65-year old man in 2009. The man died of a brain disease called encephalopathy after consuming this mushroom. It usually affects people with existing liver or kidney problems. Researchers are still working to find out more about Pleurocybella Porrigens.
