How Do You Tell the Difference Between an Edible and a Poisonous Mushroom?

Some wild mushrooms are edible, while others are very toxic. And since many of them look alike, it can be really hard to tell the difference between an edible and a poisonous mushroom. So, it’s no surprise that there are thousands of accidental mushroom poisonings every year in the U.S. Some of them can cause serious harm — even death. 

Here, we’ll cover some key differences between edible and poisonous mushrooms — and what to do if you suspect a possible poisoning. 

Can you tell the difference between edible and poisonous mushrooms?

There isn’t a reliable way to tell which mushrooms are poisonous. Even toxicologists, who are experts in poisonous substances, often have trouble identifying them. 

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Some features that might help to distinguish potentially harmful mushrooms are:

• The color of the cap

• Spots on the cap

• Gill-like structures that hang under the cap

• Size and length of the stalk

We go through the details of each mushroom a bit later. But unless you’re a mushroom expert (called a mycologist), identifying a mushroom species you come across in the wild can be nearly impossible. 

What are the symptoms of mushroom poisoning?

Different mushrooms have different toxic chemicals in them. These lead to a wide range of symptoms, depending on which toxin is at play. 

One example is the amanitin toxin, which is found in the infamous death cap mushroom. It leads to rapid cell death, which in turn leads to multisystem organ failure. 

Another example is psilocybin, which is found in the recreational magic mushroom. It binds to serotonin receptors and causes hallucinations, but it can also lead to life-threatening seizures. 

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There are many different types of symptoms associated with wild mushrooms. Some examples are:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms: The most common symptoms from poisonous mushrooms are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

• Abnormal heart rhythms: These can cause the heart to beat abnormally fast or slow, leading to palpitations, chest pain, or loss of consciousness. 

• Confusion or hallucinations: Some people intentionally ingest mushrooms because they make you confused or hallucinate. But these conditions can also progress to dangerous agitation or delirium. 

• Seizures: The same toxins that cause hallucinations can also lead to seizures. And there are other mushroom toxins that directly cause overactivity in the brain.

• Flushing and sweating: These symptoms can look similar to an allergic reaction.

• Liver failure: This is one of the more dangerous outcomes of mushroom ingestion. One bite of a death cap mushroom, which contains amantin toxins, can lead to sudden and severe liver failure. Most fatal mushroom ingestions involve this toxin.

• Kidney failure: This is less common than liver failure, but some mushrooms have toxins that directly damage the kidneys.

Some mushroom poisoning has the potential to be lethal. So, it is important to consider any wild mushroom ingestion to be serious.

What are the common types of poisonous mushrooms?

There are a lot of different types of poisonous mushrooms, and they grow in a lot of different places. In fact, between 50 and 100 species of mushrooms may be toxic to humans. And as mentioned, it is a dangerous game to try and identify them on your own. 

Below are some notable examples of toxic mushrooms:

• The death cap and the closely related destroying angel mushrooms get their names because they can both lead to fatal mushroom poisoning. And what’s more dangerous is that they can look like an innocent mushroom. They both have white or off-white stems and domed caps.

• The ivory funnel and fool’s funnel are mushrooms that can cause sweating, nausea, abdominal pain, and abnormal heart rhythms. True to their name, these mushroom caps have a convex (funnel) shape. 

• The false parasol is one of the most commonly ingested toxic mushrooms in North America. It often causes gastrointestinal symptoms. It usually has a large, broad cap with gills underneath that turn greenish as the mushroom ages.

• The jack o’ lantern is an orange mushroom that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms as well. It can look similar to a chanterelle mushroom, but it is distinguished by its yellow-orange color.

• The deadly dapperling is a very toxic mushroom that contains the amanitin toxin, which can cause liver failure. It usually has a thick, white cap with brownish scales.

• The false morel and the fly amanita are two mushrooms that can cause seizures. As the name implies, they look very similar to a morel mushroom with the brain-like appearance of their cap.

• The autumn skullcap is a mushroom that grows on rotting wood. It also contains the fatal amanitin toxin. It has a small, brown sticky cap.

• Conocybe filaris doesn’t have a common name, but it is a type of mushroom that can cause hallucinations. It also has a small brown cap.

• The inky cap mushroom is named because its cap turns into a black liquid when handled. It contains an interesting toxin that interferes with the metabolism of alcohol. So it is only toxic when ingested with alcohol.

It’s important to note that many of these mushrooms change appearance as they age. So, again: Don’t rely on the appearance to tell the difference between edible and poisonous mushrooms.

What should I do if I ingest an unidentified mushroom?

If you or someone you know accidentally ingests an unidentified mushroom, call your local poison control center or seek medical care right away. It’s a good idea to see a healthcare provider even if the person who ingested the mushroom doesn’t have symptoms. It can be helpful to bring some information with you to help healthcare providers determine next steps. 

Some things the provider will want to know are:

• When was the mushroom ingested?

• Where was it found?

• What did it look like? If you have a sample of the mushroom, bring it with you in a sealed bag.

• Was the mushroom cooked first?

• What are the symptoms the person is having, if any, and when did they start?

This information will help when you or your healthcare providers consult with the poison control center or a toxicologist. They will help figure out the best way to monitor and treat the ingestion.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Michael Dreis, MD

Dr. Dreis is an emergency medicine physician currently practicing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He went to medical school at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and completed his residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

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