Poisonous Wild Mushrooms
If you or someone you know has eaten a poisonous mushroom, immediately seek medical care or call the
California Poison Control Hotline at
1-800-222-1222. The hotline can tell you exactly what to do in case of a mushroom poisoning. They can also provide guidance to medical providers to ensure proper care.
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Wild mushrooms grow in many areas of California, especially following wet weather. Two of the most toxic mushrooms that pop up during the rainy season are the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) and the western destroying angel mushroom (Amanita ocreata).
These poisonous mushrooms can sometimes look like the mushrooms you can buy at a grocery store. Some poisonous mushrooms in California closely resemble safe mushrooms that you might find in other countries. Also, poisonous mushrooms can taste just like safe edible ones.
Foragers in California face great risk.
Toxic: Death Cap Mushroom
(Amanita Phalloides)
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Toxic: Western Destroying Angel Mushroom
(Amanita Ocreata) (Credit: Show-Me-The-Quals, iNaturalist)
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Safe to eat white button mushrooms from a grocery store
How to stay safe
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The best way to stay safe is to not eat wild mushrooms.
- Avoid eating mushrooms picked by friends or family.
- Watch children closely when playing outside where mushrooms grow. Most poisonings happen to children under 6 years old.
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Keep pets away from wild mushrooms. Animals can be poisoned too.
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Buy mushrooms from trusted grocery stores and retailers. Take care when buying mushrooms from street vendors.
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Cooking, boiling, freezing or drying poisonous mushrooms does not make them safe to eat.
Symptoms of mushroom poisoning
- Symptoms may not appear until 6 to 24 hours after eating a poisonous mushroom.
- Mild symptoms (even mild nausea) can be the beginning of a more severe reaction. Sometimes early symptoms go away within a day BUT serious to fatal liver damage can still develop within 2 to 3 days.
- Seek help immediately. If you suspect you have eaten a poisonous mushroom,
do not wait for symptoms to appear. Treatment is more difficult once symptoms start.
Common early symptoms include (but are not limited to):
- Stomach pain
- Cramping
- Diarrhea
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- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Drop in blood pressure
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Mushroom poisoning can lead to serious complications, including:
The North American Mycological Association has additional information on mushroom poisoning syndromes.
How to dispose of poisonous mushrooms
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How to handle poisonous mushrooms: Touching a poisonous mushroom usually does not pose a risk. But always wash your hands after you touch one.
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How to dispose of poisonous mushrooms: Put the poisonous mushrooms into a sealed bag and place them into regular garbage. Alternatively, you can place them into the municipal compost bin. Do not place poisonous mushrooms in home compost.
Additional resources:
Seek help immediately:
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If possible, when you go to the hospital: Take any of the uneaten mushroom with you if you can. Experts can identify the mushroom, which can help with your medical care. To preserve the mushroom, place it in a paper bag or waxed paper (not plastic) and refrigerate. If you don't have the mushroom, photos of the mushroom (cap, stem, underside) can also be helpful.
Pets and poisonous mushrooms:
Medical providers should consider reporting a mushroom poisoning: