This toxin is present in only a few mushrooms of the Cortinarius genus, so poisonings from this mushroom are relatively rare (at least recently). The two mushrooms responsible for most orellanine poisonings are Cortinarius orellanus and rubellus, commonly known as Lethal Webcaps. These mushrooms are primarily found in Europe, but are sometimes encountered in the United States. Closely related mushrooms that also contain orellanine are known as Fool’s Webcaps.
These toxins are primarily found in the genus Gyromitra (false morels) and can be fatal in high doses. Gyromitrin poisoning accounts for about 2% to 4% of mushroom-related fatalities.
This group of poisons contains the most deadly of all mushroom toxins and accounts for the majority of deaths by mushroom poisoning (perhaps up to 95% globally). Amatoxins are found in many Amanita species (from which the group derives its name) – most notably in the Destroying Angels (Amanita virosa and relatives, see FFF#050) and in the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides, see FFF#051) – as well as in some mushrooms in the genera Galerina, Lepiota, and Conocybe.
Field guides use three basic categories when discussing mushroom edibility: edible, inedible, and poisonous. These categories are not quite straightforward, so read on to learn about spicy mushrooms, poisonous morels, and toxin types!
Note: This is an archived post. You can find the current version of this post here. You are undoubtedly familiar with this mushroom, even if you recognize neither its scientific name, Amanita muscaria, nor its common name, “The Fly Agaric.” If the word “mushroom” does not immediately bring this fungus to mind, then the word “toadstool” probably does. You have certainly encountered Amanita muscaria’s distinctive red cap with white spots in a wide variety of visual art forms. This toadstool frequently pops up in paintings, cartoons, video games, movies, and decorations. It is because of the artistic over-use of the Fly Agaric that I referred to it above as “The Type Mushroom.” When describing a new taxonomic division or species of fungi, mycologists collect a “type specimen” which best exemplifies the characteristics of that taxon. This ensures that future mycologists know exactly what the original author intended to include in...
Because of their resilient nature, lichens are able to grow in almost any climate. Their primary environmental role is initial soil creation, but they also provide food and shelter for animals and are used in a variety of ways by humans. In case you missed last week, here is a recap. Lichens are composite organisms that contain a few different species living in a mutualistic relationship. All lichens contain a mycobiont (a fungus) and a photobiont (a green alga and/or a cyanobacerium). The mycobiont provides structure while the photobiont provides sugar through photosynthesis.
NEVER EAT AN AMANITA. Please keep reading if you don’t know what that sentence means. Amanita phalloides is perhaps the leading cause of deaths due to mushroom poisoning in the United States. The danger with the Death Cap is that it is often mistaken for an edible look-alike. Avoiding the Death Cap is not difficult once you learn to identify Amanita Although some Amanitas are edible, it is much safer to pass up every mushroom in that genus. The following list will help you identify A. phalloides:
NEVER EAT ANY PURE WHITE MUSHROOM. If that first sentence is as far as you read in this post, it should help you avoid ingesting the deadly poisonous mushrooms in this species group. One of the first questions you get asked when you tell someone you are interested in mushrooms is, “How can you tell whether or not a mushroom is poisonous?” Unfortunately, poisonous mushrooms come in all shapes and sizes, so you really need to learn how to avoid each of them individually. The Destroying Angels (a.k.a. Death Angels) are some of the most deadly mushrooms in the world, so every amateur mushroom hunter must be able to identify them. Luckily, they are fairly easy to recognize. Here are six things you should check for to identify a Destroying Angel: WHITE COLOR: The first thing you notice about these mushrooms when you see them is that they are pure...
Note: this is an archived post. You can read the current version of this post here. Fungus Fact Friday #007: Spotlight on Omphalotus illudens, the “Jack-O-Lantern mushroom”. If the spirit of Halloween were a mushroom, it would be O. illudens. This mushroom is commonly known as the “Jack-O-Lantern mushroom” for a couple of good reasons. First, it is bright orange, like the pumpkins that decorate doorsteps all over the United States in October. Not only is the cap orange, but so are the gills, the stipe, and the interior. Second, the mushroom’s gills glow in the dark, especially when the mushrooms are young and fresh. There are stories of this glow being bright enough to use a clump of mushrooms as a torch. Again, this is reminiscent of the jack-o-lanterns carved out for Halloween. Furthermore, the mushroom often has a sweet smell and is poisonous. Nothing says Halloween like something...
![#011: Characteristics of Kingdom Fungi [Archived]](https://www.fungusfactfriday.com/wp-content/themes/hueman/assets/front/img/thumb-small-empty.png)
