The dangers of wild mushroom foraging have been brought to light once again after an Australian woman’s lunch of poisonous mushrooms tragically resulted in the deaths of three members of her family. Erin Patterson, the host of the ill-fated lunch, denies any wrongdoing. The meal included hand-picked mushrooms, which caused all four guests to fall ill. Erin, however, was apparently unaffected by the food. The guests’ condition worsened after they visited the hospital the next day, and within a week, three of them had passed away, leaving the fourth, Ian, fighting for his life. Health officials have long warned about the risks of foraging, as cooking does not destroy the poisons in some of the most dangerous wild mushrooms.
In the UK alone, there are 15,000 reported types of fungi, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). To avoid poisonous mushrooms, it’s important to look out for warning signs such as mushrooms with white gills, white rings, or skirts around the base. Red coloring on the mushrooms, including the stem, pores, or cap, could also indicate toxicity. With that in mind, let’s explore some edible and poisonous mushrooms.
Edible Mushrooms:
1. Scotch bonnet or fairy ring mushroom (Marasmius oreades): Known for its unique growth pattern of forming fairy rings, this mushroom is a delightful gourmet treat and can be found in lawns, meadows, and pastures during summer and autumn.
2. Bay bolete (Imleria badia): With a smooth stem and small yellowish pores on the cap underside, this edible mushroom is often found in spruce and pine forests and occasionally under oak, beech, and chestnut trees.
3. Giant puffball (Calvatia gigantea): This colossal mushroom is found in meadows and is considered the safest mushroom for novice foragers. Best eaten when young, it has soft, clean white skin and firm flesh when cut.
4. Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius): Shaped like a funnel, this rich-yellow fungi is prized by chefs worldwide. It can often be found in woods, particularly beech and oak.
5. Saffron Milkcap (Lactarius deliciosus): Bleeding a bright carrot-orange liquid when cut, this mushroom is common in northern England and Scotland. It should be cooked and retains good texture afterward. Be cautious of the similar-looking poisonous Woolly Milkcap, which has hairy edges on its cap.
Poisonous Mushrooms:
1. Death Caps (Amanita phalloides): One of the most poisonous fungi in the world, the death cap is often found near oak trees and has a pale green coloring, a bulbous end at the stalk’s foot, and a ring-like collar at the top. Even a small amount can be lethal, causing death after just a few mouthfuls.
2. Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa): More lethal than the death cap, this ghostly white mushroom is commonly found in woody upland areas, particularly in Scotland. Just one mushroom in a bowl of soup is said to be potent enough to kill. There is no known antidote, and ingestion can lead to severe vomiting, diarrhea, and liver and kidney poisoning.
3. Fool’s funnel (Clitocybe rivulosa): Also known as the sweating mushroom, the fool’s funnel often grows alongside the edible Scot
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