Last autumn, an experienced mushroom picker named Lao Zhang from Yunnan, with twenty years of experience, picked a basket of mushrooms that looked 'very similar to termite mushrooms'. After dinner, all three family members experienced severe vomiting and confusion, and were only saved after emergency treatment. The doctor diagnosed it as accidental consumption of deadly white death cap mushrooms. Such cases are not uncommon during the peak mushroom season from June to October each year. According to data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China sees over a thousand mushroom poisoning incidents annually, with more than 80% caused by misidentifying types of poisonous mushrooms. For those who enjoy wild mushroom picking, accurately identifying types of poisonous mushrooms is the first line of defense for protecting life safety.
These mushrooms are extremely toxic, and some closely resemble edible varieties in appearance, making them the main culprits of severe poisoning. They must be treated with utmost caution.
The white death cap, also known as the deadly amanita, is one of the most toxic mushrooms in China. It contains α-amanitin, and just 2-3 grams of dried material can be fatal. Its appearance is deceptive: white cap, white stem, with a distinct volva at the base. It commonly grows in broadleaf forests and is easily mistaken for white mushrooms or termite mushrooms. In 2023, a region in Sichuan experienced a tragedy where 5 people were poisoned after consuming white death caps, with 2 fatalities.
The fly agaric is characterized by its bright red cap with white spots, making it relatively easy to identify. However, some people still consume it out of curiosity or mistakenly believe that 'high heat can remove toxins'. Its main toxic component is muscarine. Symptoms appear 15-60 minutes after consumption, including nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, and convulsions. While its fatality rate is lower than the white death cap, severe cases can lead to respiratory failure.
The autumn skullcap is relatively small, with a brownish cap, commonly growing on decaying wood or in pine forests. It is easily mistaken for edible small mushrooms. It contains highly toxic peptide components. The poisoning incubation period is 6-24 hours, with initial symptoms similar to gastroenteritis, but later rapidly damaging the liver and kidneys. The mortality rate is extremely high, and there is currently no specific antidote.
While these mushrooms have a relatively lower fatality rate, they severely interfere with the nervous system, causing mental abnormalities. Accidental consumption can lead to dangerous accidents and should not be underestimated.
Psilocybe mushrooms have brown or light yellow caps and contain psilocybin and psilocin. After consumption, symptoms include visual distortion, mood swings, and mental confusion. Some people may exhibit violent tendencies or self-harm behaviors. Chinese law explicitly classifies psilocybe as a narcotic plant, and picking, consuming, or selling them is illegal.
Mottlegill caps range from grayish-brown to dark brown, with pink to dark brown gills. They commonly grow in open areas like grasslands and roadsides, easily mistaken for oyster mushrooms. Symptoms appear 1-6 hours after consumption, including dizziness, nausea, hallucinations, and delirium. While most patients recover within 1-2 days, the process is painful and may be accompanied by accidental injuries.
These mushrooms have relatively weak toxicity, mainly causing gastrointestinal irritation after consumption. They generally do not endanger life but can cause significant physical discomfort.
The shaggy ink cap, also known as the lawyer's wig, is edible when immature, but when mature or consumed with alcohol, it produces toxins that cause poisoning. Symptoms include facial flushing, rapid heartbeat, nausea, and vomiting, typically occurring 5-10 minutes after consumption. Symptoms gradually subside when alcohol is avoided.
The poisonous pink-gilled mushroom has a light grayish-brown cap with pink gills, resembling edible pink-gilled mushrooms. After consumption, it mainly causes severe vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The poisoning incubation period is about 30 minutes to 2 hours, and recovery is usually possible with symptomatic treatment.
For mushroom pickers, the core of identifying poisonous mushroom types is 'safety first'. The following 3 practical tips must be remembered:
If you encounter mushrooms with unfamiliar appearance, color, or smell, do not pick them. Even if they resemble edible mushrooms, if there is any doubt, abandon the collection.
Focus on the mushroom's cap, stem, volva, and gills. If characteristics such as 'bright colors, spots on the cap, volva at the base, abnormal gill colors' appear, it is likely a poisonous variety.
Folk methods such as 'high-temperature cooking, testing with garlic, sun-drying' have no scientific basis. Most toxins in poisonous mushrooms are heat-resistant and drought-resistant, and cannot be removed through these methods.
No. Many highly toxic mushrooms like white death caps and autumn skullcaps have ordinary colors and are highly similar to edible mushrooms. Safety cannot be judged solely by color.
Induce vomiting immediately to expel remaining mushrooms from the stomach. At the same time, bring the remaining mushroom samples (or clear photos) and go to the nearest hospital immediately. Inform the doctor about the possible type of mushroom consumed to save valuable time for treatment.
Absolutely not. Some poisonous mushrooms do not taste bitter, and even small amounts of toxins can cause poisoning. 'Tasting' is an extremely dangerous practice.
No. Poisonous mushrooms like autumn skullcaps commonly grow in pine forests, and even edible pine mushrooms require accurate identification. Safety cannot be judged solely by growing environment.
The joy of wild mushroom picking lies in being close to nature, but safety is always the priority. The three categories of poisonous mushrooms—fatal, hallucinogenic, and irritant—introduced in this article, along with corresponding identification and safety techniques, hope to help every mushroom picker avoid risks. If you encounter mushrooms you cannot identify during picking, please share photos and specific growing environments in the comments section, and I will provide professional identification advice. At the same time, please share this article with friends who enjoy mushroom picking, so that more people can understand the types of poisonous mushrooms and collectively protect life safety.
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