BLOGS

It’s important to get to know toxic mushrooms as well as edibles if you are thinking about foraging for mushrooms as food.  Wild mushrooms have been eaten by humans for centuries and with a little education they will continue to be a safe food for many happy families hunting in the woods around BC.  So, here we go, let’s learn about Death Cap mushrooms.

The death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) is responsible for 3 fatalities in BC since 1997, so though not a common occurrence, this is a deadly poisonous mushroom. I would caution that people put this in perspective and educate themselves, but don’t freak out.  Peanuts kill way more people than mushrooms every year.

What does it look like?

1. Stem: 5-15cm tall. White and has a very distinctive cup at the base of the stem (volva)
2. Ring: Skirt-like ring on stem, can sometimes disintegrate in age
3. Gills: They sit close together and are white, white spore print as well.
4. Habitat: Grows near hardwoods; Oaks, chestnuts, lindens, filberts, hornbeams
5. Cap: 5-15 cm wide. Colour can vary from white to dull yellow to olive

Where do you find it?

One main concern is that they grow in urban areas like Vancouver and Victoria near species of trees that were introduced to the area.  The death cap is not a native species of fungi so you are not likely to find one in the forest.  If you find one, they are perfectly safe to touch.  Take a good look (they are beautiful) and try to identify them, but don’t eat them!

If you are sure you’ve found a death cap, put it in a sealed plastic bag and throw it out.  They will probably keep coming up in that habitat, so just keep an eye on the spot and repeat.

Tip: As a new forager focus on distinctive looking mushrooms that aren’t white, gilled varieties.  Orange chanterelle mushrooms, for example, don’t look anything like a death cap.

For more info on other BC poisonous mushrooms – Click here

To come out on a mushroom ID trip with us to learn more about mushroom safety and edible mushrooms. More info below…