Amanitas Amanita spp
Photos © 2005 by Jim Jung and licensors. All rights reserved.

With the last rains of June and the settled hot weather here at last, Amanita mushrooms begin popping in our local woods. While this genus contains some edible species (Amanita caesarea is considered a choice edible species) it also contains our deadliest ones as well.

The pictures above show the Fly Agaric, a common and normally non-lethal species, that was at one time used to rid a cottage of flies. Caps of this species placed in saucers of milk would render it irresistible to flies. When they paused for a drink they died. While eating this species probably won't kill you, it won't be a pleasant experience either. This mushroom is listed in nearly every manual as toxic.

While the red capped variety is occasionally encountered in our area, the yellow capped form is far more common. Whichever variety you run into avoid eating them as both contain a number of substances that have very unpleasant effects.

Another species (not shown) is the deadly Death Cap Mushroom, aka the Destroying Angel. This pure white species is fairly common in the woods at this time. Large, attractive and quite tasty this fungus is among the deadliest in our mycoflora with just 12 grams of fresh material constituting a lethal dose. Vomiting, diarrhea and hallucinations are followed by kidney and liver failure and then a slow, lingering descent into coma and death as the body is killed by its own waste products.

Be careful out there when gathering your mushrooms and always be sure of your identification!

Offsite Link:

• Missouri Mycological Society Homepage.

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