Toxic Mushrooms, All are deadly

Most Deadly Toxic Mushrooms over the World

Many mushroom species produce secondary metabolites that can be toxic, mind-altering, antibiotic, antiviral, or bioluminescent. Although there are only a small number of deadly species, several others can cause particularly severe and unpleasant symptoms. Toxicity likely plays a role in protecting the function of the basidiocarp: the mycelium has expended considerable energy and protoplasmic material to develop a structure to efficiently distribute its spores.

1. Conocybe filaris

This toxic mushroom is widely distributed and especially common in the Pacific Northwest. It contains the same mycotoxins as the Death Cap. 

It is also known as Pholiotina filaris. They have been shown to contain amatoxins, which are highly toxic to the liver and are responsible for many deaths by poisoning from mushroom.

2. Turkey Tail

Trametes versicolor, often called the "turkey tail," has the dubious distinction of being the only member of the forest fungal fowl community not named for the full bird, but a feathery fraction.

However, the chicken of the woods and the hen of the woods look nothing at all like chickens or hens, while the turkey tail does look (vaguely) like a turkey's tail.

3. Clustered Woodlover

This dangerous mushroom is also commonly known as Sulphur Tuft or Sulfur Tuft. It is bitter and poisonous and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions and the death case by this mushroom is reported in Japan.  

Symptoms may be delayed for 5-10 hours after consumption. Paralysis and impaired vision have been recorded. The autopsy of one fatality revealed fulminant hepatitis reminiscent of amatoxin poisoning, along with involvement of kidneys and myocardium.

4. The False Morels

Gyromitra esculenta , one of several species of fungi known as the brain mushroom, is an ascomycete fungus from the genus Gyromitra, widely distributed across Europe and North America. It normally sprouts in sandy soils under coniferous trees in spring and early summer. The fruiting body, or mushroom, is an irregular brain-shaped cap dark brown in colour which can reach 10 cm high and 15 cm wide, perched on a stout white stipe up to 6 cm (2.4 in) high.

Although potentially fatal if eaten raw, Gyromitra esculenta is a popular delicacy in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and the upper Great Lakes region of North America. Although popular in some districts of the eastern Pyrenees, it is prohibited from sale to the public in Spain. It may be sold fresh in Finland, but it must be accompanied by warnings and instructions on correct preparation. It is eaten in omelettes, soups, or sautéed in Finnish cuisine. Although it is still commonly parboiled before preparation, recent evidence suggests that even this procedure may not make the fungus entirely safe, thus raising concerns of risk even when prepared properly.

5. Destroying Angel

The all-white Destroying Angel contains amatoxins as Death Caps do. It is responsible for the overwhelming majority of deaths due to mushroom poisoning.

Symptoms do not appear for 5 to 24 hours, when the toxins may already be absorbed and the damage done. As little as half a mushroom cap can be fatal if not treated quickly enough. The symptoms include vomiting, cramps, delirium, convulsions, and diarrhea.

6. Deadly Webcap

Deadly Webcap common characteristics are quite common, making them difficult to identify, which often leads to fatal poisonings.

Young examples of the species often have a veil between the cap of the mushroom and the stem. This species of poisonous mushroom is common in Europe.

7. Death Cap

This species has been involved in the majority of human deaths from mushroom poisoning. It is a poisonous fungus widely distributed across Europe that resemble several edible species which is the most common cause of accidental human poisoning. The principal toxic constituent is a-amnitin, which damages the liver and kidneys, often fatally.

No antidote is known.Historical figures believed to have died from Death Cap poisoning (or other similar, toxic Amanitas) were Roman Emperor Caludius, Pope Clement VII, Tsaritsa Natalia Naryshkina, and Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI.

8. Ivory Funnel

The ivory funnel of Europe and North America is also known as the sweating mushroom, it derives this name from the symptoms of poisoning. It contains potentially deadly levels of muscarine, much higher than the Fly Agaric.

Aside from sweating, symptoms include increased salivation, and tear flow within 15-30 minutes of ingestion and followed by abdominal pain, severe nausea, diarrhea, blurred vision, and labored breathing. The specific antidote is atropine

9. Entoloma sinuatum

Entoloma sinuatum is a poisonous mushroom of Europe and North America and it may be mistaken for the edible St Georges’ mushroom or Miller mushroom.

This species has been responsible for 10% of all cases of mushroom poisoning in Europe. It causes primarily gastrointestinal problems that, though not generally life-threatening, have been described as highly unpleasant.

10. European Destroying Angel

Amanita virosa which is commonly known as the European Destroying Angel is highly toxic, and has been responsible for severe mushroom poisoning. Like the closely related Death Cap, it contains the highly toxic amatoxins and phallotoxins.  

Immature specimens of resemble several edible species commonly consumed by humans, increasing the risk of accidental poisoning. It is one of the most poisonous of all known toadstools.

11. Fool’s Mushroom

Who will not be captivated and tempted to eat this lovely-looking mushroom? Another deadly all-white mushroom is the Amanita verna of Europe, commonly known as the Fool’s Mushroom. Its specific epithet verna is derived from its springtime fruiting habit.  

Closely related to other deadly pure white amanitas, the Fool’s Mushroom is one of the most poisonous mushrooms in the world. Just like the Death Cap, it contains amatoxins, primarily alpha-amanitin, which can cause liver failure.

12. Western North American Destroying Angel

This mushroom contains the highly toxic amatoxins and phallatoxins and has been responsible for a number of mushroom poisonings in western North America. Death Angel, Destroying Angel or more precisely Western North American Destroying Angel is found mostly in the Pacific Northwest and California growing near oak trees. Just half a cap of this mushroom can be enough to kill a human.  

There is some evidence it may be the most toxic of all the North American phalloideae, as a higher proportion of people consuming it had organ damage and 40% perished. Dogs, too, have been known to consume this fungus in California with fatal results. No definitive antidote for amatoxin poisoning is available, but some specific treatments such as intravenous penicillin have been shown to improve survivability. Article Source: wikipedia, themysteryworld