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Foraging for mushrooms is an unconventional pastime that has garnered a devoted following. With a staggering 14,000 species of mushrooms, it can be challenging to differentiate between those that are safe to consume and those that are poisonous or hallucinogenic. This guide highlights the commonly-found toxic mushrooms that should be avoided and provides tips for safely foraging wild mushrooms.
Key Takeaways
Most Poisonous Mushroom: ‘Amanita bisporigera‘ is the most poisonous, known for causing fatal liver and kidney damage.
Common Toxic Varieties: Includes ‘Amanita phalloides‘ (Death Cap), Deadly Webcap, and others, characterized by their distinct cap shapes and gill structures.
Identifying Poisonous Mushrooms: Poisonous mushrooms often have features like white gills, a ring on the stem, and a bulbous base.
Danger in Gardens and Yards: Many poisonous mushrooms, such as the Death Cap, can commonly grow in residential gardens, posing a risk to unwary foragers.
Discover the hidden perils of fungi with this detailed list of the most poisonous mushrooms found across the United States, emphasizing the importance of awareness and safety in natural environments.
How to Identify Poisonous Mushrooms in Yards & Gardens
Understanding how to identify poisonous mushrooms in your lawn or garden is essential for safety. While the video above gives a great overview, we’ll also present pictures and unique details for each of the 10 Funghi you should watch out for below.
This guide offers identification tips for common toxic mushrooms, like the deadly dapperling mushroom and false morel mushroom.
1. Death Cap Mushrooms (Amanita phalloides)
Death cap mushrooms, one of the most dangerous mushrooms, are generally found in Europe but can now be found in other regions thanks to cultivation of non-native tree species.
These deadly mushrooms have a white stem, white gills, and a white to light-green cap.
It’s called death cap because it’s extremely toxic; half a mushroom can be lethal.
Other Names: Death Cap Amanita
Habitat: Oak forests
Similar Species: Caesar’s mushroom, straw mushroom (both edible)
Toxicity: High
Foraging Tips: Look for the white stem, gills, and greenish cap. Compare these with similar edible mushrooms, noting color and shape differences.
2. Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera)
Destroying angel mainly refers to Amanita bisporigera, but also to A. ocreata, A. virosa, and A. verna.
These mushrooms, all pure white, are often considered among the most poisonous mushrooms
For anyone venturing into areas with pine trees or pink-tinged russula, remember to exercise caution and consider the risks of misidentification.
Other Names: Fool’s Mushroom
Habitat: Woodlands, grassy meadows
Similar Species: Button mushroom, meadow mushroom, horse mushroom (all edible)
Toxicity: High
Foraging Tips: When foraging, always avoid all-white mushrooms, as they can be Destroying Angels; their resemblance to safe varieties like button mushrooms makes accurate identification vital:
Volva (Cup at the Base): Destroying Angels have a distinct cup-like structure at their base, which is not present in many edible white mushrooms.
Gill Color: Destroying Angels typically have white gills, which do not darken with age, unlike some edible varieties.
Stem Ring: They often have a prominent ring (or skirt) on the upper part of the stem, which is a remnant of the veil that covered the gills when young.
3. False Parasol (Chlorophyllum molybdites)
The false parasol, often eaten in North America, is poisonous but not deadly.
This mushroom causes gastrointestinal issues, such as vomiting and diarrhea, when consumed.
The false parasol grows in lawns, leading to its frequent consumption.
Other Names: Green-spored Lepiota, vomiter
Habitat: Grass fields and lawns
Similar Species: Parasol mushroom (edible)
Toxicity: Medium
Foraging Tips: The mushroom has a large, off-white cap like a parasol, noticeable in grass. We cover this mushroom in depth here.
4. Ivory Funnel (Clitocybe dealbata)
The ivory funnel is a predominately white, funnel-shaped mushroom that is found in grassy meadows and lawns.
Poisoning causes sweating, salivation, abdominal pain, and digestive issues.
Death due to poisoning rarely occurs, and there are multiple antidotes available.
Other Names: Sweating mushroom
Habitat: Lawns, meadows
Similar Species: False champignon (toxic), fairy ring champignon (edible)
Toxicity: Medium
Foraging Tips: To differentiate the Ivory Funnel from non-toxic mushrooms, focus on its unique characteristics:
Cap Shape: The Ivory Funnel has a distinct funnel-shaped cap, which is a key feature to look for.
Habitat: It commonly grows in lawns and meadows, settings where its toxic look-alike, the False Champignon, may also be found.
Gill Structure: The gills of the Ivory Funnel are often more crowded and finer compared to those of the edible Fairy Ring Champignon.
5. Conocybe filaris
Often listed as Conocybe filaris in field guides, Conocybe filaris is the correct name for this type of toxic fungi.
Other Names: Pholiotina rugosa
Habitat: Lawns, compost
Similar Species: Psilocybe cyanescens, Psilocybe subaeruginosa (psychedelics)
Toxicity: High
Foraging Tips: Conocybe filaris, easily identifiable by its slender, tall stature and pale to rusty-brown conical cap, typically grows in urban areas, making it a commonly encountered yet dangerous mushroom.
6. Jack O’Lantern (Omphalotus illudens)
The jack o’lantern mushroom is a large, orange poisonous fungi that is usually found with multiple caps.
When freshly picked, these mushrooms have a green bioluminescence around the gills.
These mushrooms are toxic, raw or cooked, causing digestive problems.
Other Names: N/A
Habitat: Base of hardwood trees
Similar Species: Chanterelles (edible)
Toxicity: Medium
Foraging Tips: avoid picking or consuming mushrooms with bright orange caps and true gills that grow in clusters on wood, as you might be picking the toxic Jack O’Lanterns and not the edible chanterelles they resemble.
7. False Champignon (Clitocybe rivulosa)
The fool’s funnel is similar to the ivory funnel. It can also cause sweating and salivation when ingested with death rarely occurring.
Other Names: Fool’s funnel
Habitat: Lawns, meadows
Similar Species: Fairy ring champignon (edible), ivory funnel (toxic)
Toxicity: Medium
Foraging Tips:This mushroom is all white, with a funnel-shaped cap. The fool’s funnel can form fairy rings in grassy meadows.
8. Brown Roll-Rim (Paxillus involutus)
The brown roll-rim can be found in various shades of brown caps with the edge of the cap rolling inward.
This mushroom was eaten, cooked, or preserved, up until around World War II.
While the raw toxicity was known, it was previously believed that cooking the mushroom made it safe to eat.
Other Names: Common roll-rim
Habitat: Coniferous and deciduous woods Conocybe filaris, easily identifiable by its slender, tall stature and pale to rusty-brown conical cap, typically grows in urban areas, making it a commonly encountered yet dangerous mushroom.
Similar Species: Lactarius sp. (toxic)
Toxicity: High
Foraging Tips: Make sure you avoid collecting mushrooms with distinct, in-rolled brown cap and decurrent gills, as they do pose serious health risks.
9. Yellow Stainer (Agaricus xanthodermus)
The most distinguishing feature of the yellow stainer is a yellow color that appears when the mushroom is cut (typically seen at the base when picked).
If the mushrooms are cooked, the entire mushroom becomes yellow and puts out a strong odor.
Some people have no ill effects from eating yellow stainer, but most people experience digestive irritation.
Other Names: Yellow-staining mushroom
Habitat: Woods, lawns
Similar Species: California Agaricus (toxic)
Toxicity: Medium
Foraging Tips: The flesh and base of the stem turn a bright yellow when bruised or cut, which is a distinguishing feature from other Agaricus species.
10. Inky Cap (Coprinopsis atramentaria)
The inky cap is an interesting mushroom because it is actually edible.
However, when consumed with alcohol (or if alcohol is consumed up to three days after consumption), it causes digestive distress, increased heart rate, and tingling limbs.
Due to this, it is sometimes administered as a treatment for alcoholism. Inky Cap has a gray-brown cap that starts bell-shaped and then flattens out over time.
Other Names: Common ink cap, tippler’s bane
Habitat: Vacant lots, lawns
Similar Species: Shaggy ink cap (edible)
Toxicity: Low-medium
Foraging Tips: It is identifiable by its distinctive cap that dissolves into an inky black liquid as it matures. Also, these mushrooms often appear in groups in urban areas, particularly near wood or disturbed ground.
More Poisonous Mushrooms To Avoid
In exploring the world of fungi, it’s best to be cautious and informed about various mushroom types, including beautiful yet dangerous ones like muscaria and boletus satanas. Keep discovering which mushrooms are poisonous with the following guide.
Brain Mushroom or False Morel (Gyromitra esculenta)
The brain mushroom gets its name from the large brain-like cap on the mushroom. It is usually dark brown in color.
This mushroom has fatal toxicity when eaten raw, but it is regularly consumed after cooking and is considered a delicacy in some regions.
Poisoning includes vomiting and diarrhea, which can be followed by coma and death in severe cases.
Other Names: Turban fungus, elephant ears, beefsteak morel
Habitat: Coniferous forest, woodlands
Similar Species: Morchella sp. (edible), elfin saddle (toxic)
Toxicity: High
Elfin Saddle (Gyromitra infula)
The elfin saddle gets its name because the red cap of the mushroom takes a saddle shape when mature.
Like the brain mushroom, elfin saddle is sometimes thought to be edible after cooking, but this is untrue.
The toxic compound, gyromitrin, found in the mushroom is considered a carcinogen, even in small doses.
Other Names: Hooded false morel
Habitat: Coniferous woodlands
Similar Species: Brain mushroom
Toxicity: High
Autumn Skullcap or Deadly Galerina (Galerina marginata)
The autumn skullcap has a yellow-brown cap that starts off rounded and then flattens as the mushroom matures.
Like the death cap, this mushroom contains amatoxins that affect the liver and can be deadly if untreated.
Other Names: Funeral bell
Habitat: Decaying wood
Similar Species: Sheathed woodtuft, honey fungus (both edible)
Toxicity: High
Deadly Webcap and Fool’s Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus, C. Orellanus)
Deadly webcap and fool’s webcap belong to a group of mushrooms known as Orellani.
These mushrooms cause kidney failure, which usually requires a kidney transplant. These mushrooms are small and brown with concave caps.
Other Names: N/A
Habitat: Forests
Similar Species: Funnel chanterelle, waxy cap (both edible)
Toxicity: High
Angel Wing (Pleurocybella porrigens)
Angel wing mushrooms are thin and flat, unlike the common “toadstool” appearance of many mushrooms.
They typically begin pure white and transition to a faint yellow color as the mushroom matures.
The mechanism for toxicity is unknown, but it can cause fatal encephalopathy in people with pre-existing conditions.
The two species that have the common name satan’s bolete are within the same genus, but R. satanas is found in Europe, and R. eastwoodiae is found in North America.
Both species are short, fat mushrooms that turn blue when cut.
Other Names: Devil’s bolete
Habitat: Woodland
Similar Species: Bitter beech bolete (inedible)
Toxicity: Medium
Sulfur Tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare)
The sulfur tuft is named for its yellow-colored cap. The gills turn from yellow to green as the mushroom matures.
This mushroom causes digestive distress in most cases, but it is capable of causing impaired vision and paralysis.
Other Names: Clustered woodlover
Habitat: Decaying wood
Similar Species: Hypholoma capnoides (edible)
Toxicity: Medium
Scaly Vase Chanterelle (Turbinellus floccosus)
The scaly vase chanterelle has a large trumpet-shaped body with an orange cap. The outside is covered in wrinkles and is usually a light beige color.
While this mushroom can cause digestive issues for some people, there are many tribes throughout the world that eat it without issue.
Other Names: Shaggy chanterelle, woolly chanterelle
Habitat: Coniferous forest
Similar Species: Violet chanterelle (edible)
Toxicity: Low
Lilac Bonnet (Mycena pura)
The lilac bonnet has a wide cap that is white to light purple in color. It exhibits bioluminescence and is known to contain multiple toxins.
While it is known to contain toxins, the effects when eaten are inconclusive.
Other Names: N/A
Habitat: Forests
Similar Species: Wood blewit (edible), purple edge bonnet
Toxicity: Low
Common Earthball (Scleroderma citrinum)
The common earthball is a type of mushroom that releases its spores when broken open. It does not have a stem and the round ball is covered in light brown spots.
When ingested, this mushroom can cause digestive issues and the spores can irritate the nose, eyes, and mouth if released.
The deadly dapperling has a light-brown scaled cap and white gills.
It is commonly found in public green spaces and unfortunately resembles many species of edible mushrooms.
When ingested, this highly toxic mushroom causes digestive distress followed by liver damage. It can be fatal if not treated properly.
Other Names: N/A
Habitat: Grassy areas
Similar Species: Grey knight, fairy ring champignon (both edible)
Toxicity: High
Laughing Jim (Gymnopilus junonius)
Laughing Jim mushrooms are bright orange in color and darker to a reddish brown as they mature.
While the mushroom contains a neurotoxin, there is not much recorded information on poisonings in humans. Laughing Jim is considered inedible due to its bitter taste.
Other Names: Spectacular rustgill
Habitat: Woodlands
Similar Species: Honey fungus (edible), western jack-o-lantern mushroom (toxic)
Toxicity: Low
Fly Agaric (Amanita mascaria)
The fly agaric is the most iconic “toadstool” species of mushroom. It has a white stem, white gills, and a red cap covered in white spots.
Fly agaric is the inspiration for cartoon and video game mushrooms.
While this mushroom is well-recognized, fatal poisonings are rare thanks to modern medical treatments.
Poisonings can have a variety of symptoms, from digestive issues to psychedelic effects, because there are multiple subspecies of fly agarics.
Other Names: Fly amanita
Habitat: Conifer and deciduous woodlands
Similar Species: Vermilion gisette, Caesar’s mushroom (edible)
Toxicity: Medium
Many Dapperling or Lepiota Mushrooms (Lepiota genus)
The Lepiota genus contains approximately 400 species of mushrooms and most of them are toxic. No Lepiota species are considered edible, but some are considered fatally poisonous.
This is because they contain amatoxins, just like the death cap. Most Lepiota species are white to brown in color and may have a scaled or smooth cap.
Other Names: N/A
Habitat: broadleaf and conifer woodlands
Similar Species: N/A
Toxicity: Low – High
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What Mushrooms Are Safe to Eat?
Safe mushrooms to eat typically include well-known varieties such as button mushrooms, chanterelles, and morels, provided they are correctly identified and sourced from reliable environments.
How to Identify Poisonous Mushrooms?
Poisonous mushrooms often have features like white gills, a ring on the stem, and a bulbous base.
Poisonous mushrooms for dogs include species like Amanita phalloides (Death Cap), Inocybe spp., Clitocybe dealbata, Agaricus spp., Amanita muscaria (Fly Agaric), Galerina spp., and Scleroderma citrinum. These species contain toxins that are harmful to canines.
It’s important to keep dogs away from these and other unknown mushrooms, as many can cause serious health issues.
For more information on mushrooms and dogs, check VetsNow
Recommended Reading:
Peterson Field Guide to Mushrooms of North America, Second Edition
