12 Most Dangerous Poisonous Mushrooms in the World

Consuming certain types of poisonous mushrooms such as the Fly Agaric or the Death Cap can lead to severe liver and kidney damage, affecting the nervous system and potentially resulting in death.

1. Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)

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The Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) resembles the mushrooms from fairy tales, featuring a red cap with white spots. Humans and animals that accidentally consume this mushroom can experience poisoning and potential death.

The main toxic agents in Fly Agaric are muscimol and ibotenic acid. These toxins affect the central nervous system, causing irritation, nausea, drowsiness, and hallucinations.

2. Angel Wing (Pleurocybella porrigens)

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The Angel Wing (Pleurocybella porrigens) typically grows in the Northern Hemisphere. It was once regarded as a food source until 2004 when nearly 60 people in Japan were poisoned after consuming it, leading to 17 deaths within six weeks.

Scientists have yet to fully identify all the toxic substances in Angel Wing. One type of amino acid found in the mushroom destroys animal brain cells in experiments. It is likely that the mushroom also contains a high concentration of cyanide.

3. Deadly Dapperling (Lepiota brunneoincarnata)

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The Deadly Dapperling, belonging to the Lepiota family, typically grows in pine forests across Europe and North America. This mushroom contains amatoxin, responsible for 80-90% of mushroom poisoning fatalities.

The mortality rate from consuming amatoxin can reach 50% without treatment and 10% with timely intervention. Initial symptoms include abdominal pain and gastrointestinal distress, followed by liver failure leading to death.

4. Podostroma Cornu-damae

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The Podostroma Cornu-damae resembles a human hand. Its main toxin is trichothecene mycotoxin, a compound that causes distressing symptoms and can lead to death after a few days. The toxin affects all body systems but primarily targets the liver, kidneys, and brain, leading to blood cell depletion and symptoms resembling radiation poisoning or leukemia.

5. Conocybe Filaris

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Conocybe Filaris typically grows in grassy areas and originates from the Pacific region of the Northwestern United States. This mushroom contains the highly dangerous amatoxin, which can cause severe and untreatable liver damage if ingested.

6. Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus)

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The Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus) is an extremely toxic mushroom; consuming even a small amount can be fatal. If one is lucky enough to survive, they may require lifelong dialysis or a kidney transplant. The Webcap contains orellanine, a potent toxin for which there is currently no effective antidote.

7. Autumn Skullcap (Galerina marginata)

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The Autumn Skullcap (Galerina marginata) typically grows on dead tree trunks worldwide. Like many other poisonous mushrooms, the Autumn Skullcap resembles a harmless variety, leading to many cases of confusion. It contains amatoxin, which causes permanent liver damage and leads to painful deaths.

8. False Morel (Gyromitra esculenta)

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The False Morel (Gyromitra esculenta) resembles a human brain and is a popular dish in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. This mushroom is quite unique; eating it raw can be fatal, but when cooked properly, it has an incredibly delightful flavor.

The False Morel has a peculiar brain-like shape with many folds. “Despite its odd shape, knowing how to prepare it correctly will turn it into a delicious dish,” says Kim McCullough, chef and owner of Inari restaurant in Finland.

In Finland, enjoying this poisonous mushroom requires a rigorous preparation process to remove toxins. The government has clear regulations regarding the handling of mushroom toxins.

After the toxins are removed, it retains a flavor reminiscent of chestnuts and the distinctive aroma of forest mushrooms. However, even with full compliance to the preparation steps, the gyromitrin toxin can still remain and accumulate in the body over time, prompting experts to advise against frequent consumption.

The toxin present in the mushroom is gyromitrin, which transforms into monomethylhydrazine (MMH) in the human body. The aforementioned toxin primarily affects the liver, occasionally impacting the nervous system and kidneys. Common symptoms of poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, and headaches. In the worst cases, individuals may slip into a deep coma and die within a week.

9. Destroying Angels (Amanita bisporigera)

Photo: Stefan Holm.

The Destroying Angels (Amanita bisporigera) is an extremely toxic mushroom capable of completely destroying the human body with amatoxin. Initial symptoms after ingestion include cramps, delirium, convulsions, vomiting, and diarrhea. Amatoxin causes permanent damage to the kidneys and liver tissues. The only remedy for poisoning is liver transplantation.

10. Death Cap Mushroom (Amanita phalloides)

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After heavy rains, a type of mushroom is exploding across California. They are quite large, pale in color, and appear very safe to anyone who might come across them. In fact, this type of mushroom tastes quite good when cooked.

However, that appearance completely conceals the true nature within, as it is the “Death Cap” – or Amanita phalloides – one of the most dangerous mushrooms in the world.

The Death Cap Mushroom, scientifically known as Amanita phalloides, is responsible for the majority of fatal cases due to accidental or intentional mushroom poisoning. This mushroom is associated with the deaths of Roman Emperor Claudius, a Pope, and a Russian Tsar. The Death Cap is native to Europe and commonly grows beneath oak trees in forests. It resembles many edible mushrooms, leading to confusion.

The toxic agent in the mushroom is α-amanitin (amatoxin), which causes irreversible damage to the liver and kidneys. It is estimated that just 30 g of amatoxin (equivalent to half a mushroom) is enough to kill an adult. The toxicity of the Death Cap does not change, even when cooked, dried, or frozen.

Currently, there is no definitive treatment for poisoning from this mushroom. Therefore, if you happen to see this type of mushroom, keep your distance before it’s too late.

11. Inky Cap Mushroom (Coprinus atramentarius)

This type of mushroom is harmless on its own, but when combined with alcohol, it becomes very dangerous. At that point, the coprin and amino acids contained in the Inky Cap react with alcohol and cause poisoning 48 hours after consumption. Symptoms of this type of poisoning include facial flushing and cold extremities.

12. Ergot Mushroom (Claviceps purpurea)

The Ergot mushroom grows on rye, various grains, and related animal feeds. Consuming grains or seeds infected with this mushroom’s structures can cause ergotism in humans and other mammals.

The fungal hyphae penetrate the young rye flowers, destroying the host plant’s cell tissues and covering the flower clusters with a soft, white, cotton-like fungal layer. The fungal mass develops into a hard, dark grayish-brown or purplish-black ergot.

This ergot contains alkaloids such as ergotamine, ergocornine, and ergotasine, which cause vasoconstriction of smooth muscles and the uterus. At low doses, extracts from the Ergot mushroom are formulated into various neurological and cardiovascular medications. At high doses, the Ergot mushroom is highly toxic and can cause gangrene in the extremities, vasospasm, and delirium. If humans consume rye flour infected with ergot, they will suffer from ergotism, characterized by muscle cramps in the limbs, numbness in the jaw, and eventual necrosis leading to death. Livestock that consume infected grasses can also suffer fatal poisoning. Symptoms of poisoning include seizures, convulsions, diarrhea, hallucinations, and necrosis.

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