Did you know:

• Mushroom poisoning is called mycetism.
• About 100 types of fungi are toxic to humans.
• Most deaths occur from eating the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides):

 Death Caps

• Death Caps are a sticky pale yellow or olive green color, and their caps measure 3-6 inches.
• They are easily peeled and often mistaken for edible varieties like the Button or Caesar mushrooms.
• Found during the Fall, this fungus grows in woods near the bases of trees.  It likes hardwoods, preferably oaks and pines.
• Death Caps are pretty and taste pleasant.  The effects of poisoning do not appear until 2-3 days after ingestion.  Death occurs 6 – 16 days later.
• Toxicity is not reduced by cooking, baking, drying or freezing.
• Poisoning produces diarrhea, vomiting, delirium, seizures, coma, and eventually results in fatal organ failure.
• Victims of mushroom poisoning may have included Emperor Claudius (AD 54), Pope Clement VIII (1554) and Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI (1740).
• The Death Cap is closely associated with The Destroying Angel.  This all-white mushroom is just as deadly as its cousin.

 Destroying Angel

Sources:

Adams, Cat. “Most Dangerous Mushroom” at slate.com

Fischer, David. “The Death Cap Mushroom” at americanmushrooms.com

Wikipedia. “Amanita phalloides” at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanita_phalloides

(Photos: Public Domain)

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