Whether foraging wild mushrooms or encountering them in your garden, it’s essential to recognize poisonous varieties.

Dear Lykkers! These fungi can grow in unexpected places, including lawns, borders, and near sheds, posing risks to children, pets, and anyone unaware of their dangers. Handle them cautiously and dispose of them carefully to prevent accidents.

1. Death Cap Mushrooms

Appearance: Green-tinted and small, these mushrooms may look harmless but are highly toxic.

Key Toxin: Alpha-amanitin, causing liver and kidney failure.

Risks: Eating just half a cap can be fatal within 6-24 hours.

Where to Find: Found from August to November in broadleaved woods, particularly near oak and birch trees.

2. Deadly Webcap Mushrooms

Appearance: Orange-brown with a pointed cap.

Key Toxin: Orellanine, leading to kidney failure and potential fatality.

Where to Find: Common in coniferous forests like pine or spruce, growing between August and November.

3. Destroying Angel Mushrooms

Appearance: Striking pure-white mushrooms.

Key Toxin: Deadly toxins affecting the liver and kidneys, with no known antidote.

Where to Find: Typically grow from July to November in birch and oak woods and occasionally on garden lawns.

4. Fool’s Conecap Mushrooms

Appearance: Small, brown, cone-shaped mushrooms.

Key Toxin: Alpha-amanitin, harmful to the liver.

Where to Find: Found from July to October in compost, rotting wood, or rich soil, often in gardens.

5. Funeral Bell Mushrooms

Appearance: Small mushrooms with ominous names and deadly amatoxins.

Key Toxin: Amatoxins causing sickness, liver damage, and potential death.

Where to Find: Grows on dead wood in coniferous woods from August to November.

6. Panther Cap Mushrooms

Appearance: Brown mushrooms with white spots.

Key Effects: Severe sickness, hallucinations, and fatal central nervous system effects.

Where to Find: Found in beech and oak woods from July to November.

7. Angel’s Wings Mushrooms

Appearance: Bright white bracket fungi growing vertically.

Key Effects: Brain damage and potential fatality.

Where to Find: Found in autumn on decaying conifers, especially in the Scottish Highlands.

8. Deadly Dapperling Mushrooms

Appearance: Innocent-looking mushrooms with a spotted cap.

Key Toxin: Alpha-amanitin, highly toxic.

Where to Find: Found in grassy, open areas across Europe and parts of Asia.

9. False Morel Mushrooms

Appearance: Brain-like cap, often dark brown or orange-brown.

Key Toxin: Gyromitrin, which breaks down into a chemical used in rocket fuel, causing severe neurological symptoms.

Where to Find: Found in wood debris under pine trees between March and May.

10. Fly Agaric Mushrooms

Appearance: Iconic red caps with white spots, often depicted in fairy tales.

Key Effects: Contains psychoactive and toxic compounds, causing adverse reactions.

Where to Find: Found in light soil among birch, pine, or spruce trees from late summer to early winter.

How to Identify Poisonous Mushrooms

Essential Tips:

Use multiple sources or consult professionals for proper identification.

Avoid mushrooms with white gills, skirts or rings on stems, or red tops.

When unsure, leave the mushroom untouched for safety.

Why Are Some Mushrooms Poisonous?

Natural Defense: Toxins help mushrooms protect themselves and ensure spore dispersal for reproduction.

Risks to Animals and Pets: While some animals avoid poisonous mushrooms, others, including pets, may be attracted to them. Immediate veterinary attention is crucial if ingestion occurs.

Poisonous mushrooms can appear anywhere, so awareness and caution are vital for safety during outdoor activities or garden care.