Mushrooms are fascinating organisms that come in various shapes, sizes and thrive in different environments. While many are harmless or even delicious, some are poisonous mushrooms and can pose serious risks. Poisonous mushroom growing on trees are particularly tricky because they can be mistaken for edible varieties, leading to dangerous confusion. Certain species act as saprotrophic decomposers, breaking down decaying organic matter like dead trees. But they may contain toxic compounds that are harmful when ingested.
Mushroom poisoning occurs when toxic substances, often secondary metabolites produced by the fungus, are consumed. Symptoms can range from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to severe illness or even death within days. Unlike popular belief, these toxic compounds cannot be eliminated by cooking, making accurate identification crucial. Using books, pictures, and guidance from experts. Which can help avoid confusion with similar-looking but poisonous species.
Taking an educated identification approach is essential for safety. Mistaking a harmful mushroom for an edible one can result in tragic mistakes. Always exercise caution when foraging and understand the potential danger of these deadly fungi to ensure safe and informed choices.
14 Poisonous Mushroom That Grows On Trees
Death Cap (Amanita palloides)
The Death Cap is among the deadliest poisonous mushrooms, infamous for its association with fatalities in the UK, including England. This poisonous mushroom contains the lethal toxin a-Amanitin, which causes severe liver damage and kidney damage after ingestion. Just half a mushroom is enough to kill an adult human, with death often occurring within 48 hours if left untreated. There is no known antidote, making it incredibly dangerous. Its sinister reputation dates back to historical figures like Roman Emperor Claudius in AD 54 and Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI in 1740, who both allegedly fell victim to its toxic effects.
The caps of this mushroom are typically greenish but can appear in white forms or other variable colours, accompanied by a white stipe and distinct gills. Found in broadleaved woods, it grows on the ground, blending deceptively into its environment. The toxin concentration in this fatal fungus makes it a silent killer that should never be underestimated. Always exercise caution when identifying mushrooms in the wild.
Jack O’Lantern Mushroom (Omphalotus olearius)
The Jack O’Lantern mushroom is a strikingly bright orange fungus commonly found growing on trees across North America and Europe. While it is not typically deadly, ingesting this toxin-laden mushroom can cause serious illness. Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and painful cramps can be seen. In severe cases, the poisoning may lead to liver failure or even death. Its toxic properties make it a dangerous mushroom to encounter in the wild, especially for those unfamiliar with proper identification.
One of the major risks with the Jack O’Lantern poisonous mushroom is its tendency to be mistaken for the edible Chanterelle mushroom due to their similar appearance. However, key differences include the smooth cap and distinct gills of the Jack O’Lantern, which set it apart from its culinary counterpart. Extreme caution is advised when foraging for mushrooms, as a single error can lead to devastating consequences.
Destroying Angel (Amanita verna)
The Destroying Angel is a pure white, deadly poisonous mushroom that has earned its ominous name due to its extreme toxicity. Also known as the Fool’s mushroom, it is rarer than the notorious Death Cap but ranks among the most toxic fungi known. It is often confused with button mushrooms, young specimens, or even puffballs, which are non-deadly mushrooms, making it particularly dangerous for inexperienced foragers. Containing the toxin a-Amantin, this mushroom causes liver failure if not treated immediately, even in small quantities.
This pure white mushroom features delicate gills and a slender stipe, measuring 5-10 cm wide and about the same height. Found in broadleaved, mixed, and birch woodland, the Destroying Angel grows on the ground, blending seamlessly with its surroundings. Its innocent appearance masks its deadly potential, reminding foragers to exercise extreme caution in identifying wild mushrooms.
Angel’s Wings (Pleurocybella porrigens)
The delicate Angel’s Wings is a white, fan-shaped poisonous mushroom that commonly grows on trees in temperate forests around the world. Though not always deadly, it can cause serious illness when ingested due to its toxic protein content. Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain often follow. Its fragile appearance often leads it to be mistaken for the edible Oyster Mushroom, making it a hidden hazard for foragers.
What sets Angel’s Wings apart is its thinner stem and flesh, especially when compared to the sturdier Oyster Mushroom. While its elegant shape might catch your eye, it serves as a reminder to identify mushrooms with precision. Found clinging to trees in serene forest settings, this mushroom’s beauty belies its toxic nature, emphasizing the importance of cautious foraging practices.
Deadly Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus)
The Deadly Webcap, often confused with its relative the Fool’s Webcap, is a highly toxic mushroom containing the powerful mycotoxin orellanine. This poison is long-lasting and can lead to irreversible kidney failure if ingested. The mushroom’s tan brown, conical convex cap, measuring 2.5 to 8 cm in diameter and 5.5 to 11 cm tall, makes it deceptively ordinary in appearance. Found in coniferous pine and spruce woods, it typically grows on the ground, often nestled among heather and bilberry plants.
The Deadly Webcap’s subtle looks can easily fool foragers, underscoring the importance of proper mushroom identification. Its presence in serene woodlands adds to the challenge, as its habitat blends seamlessly into the natural environment. This species stands as a stark reminder of the risks of wild mushroom picking without thorough knowledge and caution.
Deadly Galerina (Galerina marginata)
The Deadly Galerina is a small, brown mushroom that grows on trees across the northern hemisphere, often blending in with its surroundings. Despite its size, this mushroom is incredibly toxic, containing amatoxin, a potent toxin known to cause serious illness or even death. Symptoms of ingestion typically appear within 6-12 hours, starting with gastrointestinal discomfort such as vomiting and diarrhea. As the poison progresses, it attacks the liver, leading to worsening symptoms that can become life-threatening.
One of the few ways to identify the Deadly Galerina is by its distinctive ring on the stem and its smooth cap. These features can easily be mistaken for other harmless mushrooms. This similarity makes it critical for foragers to exercise caution and avoid picking mushrooms without thorough knowledge or expert guidance. This unassuming species serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers hidden within nature’s beauty.
Panther Cap (Amanita pantherina)
The Panther Cap (Amanita pantherina) is a highly poisonous mushroom often mistaken for the blusher, an edible species. This psychoactive mushroom contains compounds like ibotenic acid and muscimol. Which can cause hallucinations along with severe physical symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. Its cap, which ranges from 5 to 18 cm wide, is a striking deep brown or hazel-brown with pale spots, and the stem can grow 5 to 15 cm tall. The mushroom is often identified by its unpleasant odor, resembling raw potatoes.
The Panther Cap grows in broadleaved woods, particularly near beech and oak trees, making it common in many forests.
Poison Pie (Hebeloma crustuliniforme)
The Poison Pie (Hebeloma crustuliniforme) is a small brown mushroom that often grows near trees in North America and Europe, particularly in open forests during summer and autumn. It may even appear in warmer climates like California during winter. This mushroom releases toxins that can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Abdominal pain and vomiting just a few hours after ingestion, making it a serious risk despite its unassuming appearance.
The Poison Pie can emit a radish-like smell and has thick flesh, but it is frequently mistaken for the edible Honey Mushroom. The key differences are that the Poison Pie has a smooth cap and a ring on its stem, while the Honey Mushroom has a scaly cap and no ring. Found under hardwood and coniferous trees, this toxic mushroom serves as a reminder to carefully identify fungi before consuming them.
Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)
The Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) is one of the most iconic toadstools, often depicted in TV programmes and video games like Super Mario Bros. It is also believed to have inspired the magical mushroom in Alice in Wonderland. Despite its whimsical reputation, this mushroom is poisonous and can cause unpleasant symptoms when ingested. While deaths from consuming Fly Agaric are rare. Its psychoactive constituents, such as muscimol and ibotenic acid, can lead to intense hallucinations along with other adverse effects.
The vibrant red cap with white spots makes the Fly Agaric easily recognizable, yet it holds a dangerous allure.
Funeral Bell (Galerina autumnalis)
The Funeral Bell mushroom (Galerina autumnalis) is a small brown mushroom that grows on dead wood and decaying wood, often found in forests, woodlands, and even gardens. With its wide cap, pointed top, and slender stem, this seemingly harmless mushroom is deceptively dangerous. It contains amatoxins, a highly toxic compound that can cause severe liver damage and kidney damage. Poisoning symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps appear quickly. They can escalate to liver failure or even death without prompt medical treatment.
What makes the Funeral Bell mushroom especially risky is its resemblance to other species that grow on the same type of wood, leading to mistaken identification.
False Champignon (Clitocybe rivulosa)
The False Champignon (Clitocybe rivulosa), often called the sweating mushroom, is a small white toadstool with a funnel-shaped cap that can be mistaken for the fairy ring champignon, an edible variety. This small whitish mushroom, measuring 3 to 4 cm in width, features white gills and subtle pink specks. Found in lawns, meadows, and other grassy areas, it can easily blend into common landscapes, making it a hidden danger.
The False Champignon contains muscarine, a toxin that causes poisoning symptoms such as excessive sweating and, in severe cases, respiratory failure. The effects mimic nerve damage, making it one of the more deceptive mushrooms in appearance.
Fool’s conecap (Pholiotina rugosa)
The Fool’s Conecap (Pholiotina rugosa) is a deadly poisonous mushroom that contains alpha-amanitin, a toxin infamous for its severe liver toxicity. While small in size, with a smooth brown cap measuring less than 3 cm wide and a stem 1 to 6 cm long, its resemblance to other harmless mushrooms like Psilocybe often leads to dangerous confusion. Found in gardens, among leaf litter, and in compost, this mushroom is deceptively common in urban and rural settings.
Though similar to the Death Cap’s lethal potential, the Fool’s Conecap can easily be overlooked due to its modest appearance.
Satan’s bolete (Rubroboletus satanas)
The Satan’s Bolete (Rubroboletus satanas) is a poisonous mushroom known for its striking appearance and massive, brightly colored fruiting bodies. Its velvety cap, ranging from pale to dull-colored, can grow up to 30 cm wide and occasionally even 50 cm wide, making it one of the largest mushrooms found in broadleaved and mixed woodland. The mushroom’s yellow to orange-red pores and bulbous red-patterned stem add to its unique look, while its blue flesh bruises or turns blue when cut, serving as a warning of its toxicity.
The mushroom contains bolesatine, a toxic enzyme that causes dizziness and hypertension if consumed. Despite its imposing size and putrid smell, which often discourages foragers, it can still be mistaken for edible varieties. When overripe, it emits an unpleasant stench, further emphasizing the need for caution when encountering this mushroom in the wild.
Deadly skullcap (Galerina marginata)
The Deadly Skullcap (Galerina marginata) is a poisonous mushroom often found in clusters on tree stumps and bark in mixed or coniferous woods. Its appearance resembles many little brown mushrooms, making it easy to confuse with edible species. This mushroom thrives on dead and decaying wood, adding to the challenge of distinguishing it from harmless varieties in the same habitat.
The Deadly Skullcap contains lethal amatoxins, which can cause severe symptoms such as vomiting, liver damage, and in extreme cases, death if not treated promptly.
Final Observations
The world of poisonous mushrooms that grow on trees holds hidden dangers, with species like the Deadly Skullcap and Death Cap harboring lethal toxins such as amatoxins. Found on decaying wood, these fungi often resemble edible mushrooms, leading to dangerous confusion. Symptoms of poisoning range from vomiting and diarrhea to severe liver damage and even death. Careful identification, using guides and expert advice, is vital to avoid mistaking these hazardous mushrooms for harmless varieties. Always approach wild mushrooms with caution to ensure safety.
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FAQs
Q- What is the most poisonous mushroom?
The Death Cap (Amanita phalloides) is the most poisonous mushroom, containing lethal toxins like a-Amanitin.
Q- What is the fungus that grows on trees?
Various fungi grow on trees, including Deadly Skullcap, Jack O’Lantern, and Angel’s Wings, some of which are highly toxic.
Q- How do you identify a death cap mushroom?
The Death Cap has a greenish cap (sometimes white), white stipe, and gills, often found in broadleaved woods.
Q- Is button mushroom poisonous?
No, the button mushroom is not poisonous and is commonly used as an edible variety.
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