Types of Deadly Mushrooms

False Morels (Helvella, Gyromitra caroliniana)

• This genus contains both mushrooms species that are edible and those that are deadly. What most of the deadly mushrooms in this genus have in common are a chemical called monomethyl hydrazine (MMH). MMH causes dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches and, if not treated, death. Cooking these mushrooms thoroughly will often stave off the MMH. False morels often have irregularly shaped caps that are either severely wrinkled and scrunched or shaped inwardly like a saddle. Different species vary in color, including brown, red, gray, white and black.

Little Brown Mushrooms

• Little Brown Mushrooms (LBMs) are a large category containing small-to-medium sized brown mushrooms containing hundreds of species with spores, which are colored differently depending on the species. Although some mushrooms in this category are harmless, others have caused deaths, such as the Galerina, which contains amanitin, the same deadly toxin in Amanitas. It is very difficult for the layperson to differentiate between poisonous and non-poisonous mushrooms in this category, so it is advisable to avoid all brown mushrooms you find in nature.

Amanitas

• This genus of mushroom is notorious for containing one of the most poisonous substances in nature, amanitin, which can kill by shutting down the kidneys and liver. About 90 percent of mushroom poisonings are attributed to Amanitas, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Keep in mind that not every member of this genus contains amanitin. A few members of this genus contain Amanita virosa (or "destorying angel"), which is also deadly. A close cousin to Amanita virosa is Amanita phalloides, or the appropriately named "death cap" mushroom. You can recognize amanitas by their egg-shaped center cap, which breaks open upon advanced age, as well as the round cup-shaped tissues at the base of the stem, and the white gills. Some species in this genus may be shaped like parasols.

Jack O' Lantern (Omphalotus olearius)

• The Jack O' Lantern is aptly named for its easily identifiable bright orange color. Often found in summer and fall growing around the base of trees, this genus also glows in the dark faintly. This mushroom is often mistaken for chanterelles, an edible gourmet mushroom. The chemical found in these mushrooms, muscarine, can cause diarrhea and severe stomach craps, and will require hospitalization if eaten in excess.