Vietnam is located in the tropical zone, characterized by a hot and humid climate, which results in a wide variety of mushrooms: edible mushrooms, inedible mushrooms, and poisonous mushrooms. Poisonous mushrooms contain toxins and are not safe to eat. Certain types of mushrooms contain deadly toxins (such as Amanita phalloides and A. verna), and consuming just 50 grams of fresh mushrooms can lead to the immediate death of a young, healthy individual, with no available treatment.
Some mushrooms can cause various gastrointestinal, liver, kidney, and neurological diseases. If consumed in large quantities without timely treatment, they can easily lead to fatal outcomes. Additionally, some mushrooms release toxins into their growing environment, such as soil, manure, and water. Vegetables and fruits grown in these environments can also become contaminated. Poisonous mushrooms are extremely dangerous, as even a very small amount can result in death. Many poisonous mushrooms closely resemble edible varieties. Here are some types of mushrooms and how to identify them:
White Death Cap (Amanita verna) Cap: white, sometimes with a dirty yellow center.
Vomiting Mushroom (Russula emetica) Red in color, grows alone in damp forests.
Stinking Mushroom (Russula foetens): grows in forests.
Amanita phalloides
Death Cap (Amanita phalloides)
Color: olive green or slightly yellow
Cap: width 5 – 15 cm
Stipe: lighter than the cap
Gills: white, smooth
Flesh: white
Volva: large
Commonly found in dense forests, highly toxic.
Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa)
Color: entirely pure white
Cap: conical shape, width 5 – 20 cm
Gills: white
Volva: large
Odor: mild pungent
Found in Eastern Canada and the Northwestern Pacific, very toxic.
Panther Mushroom (Amanita pantherina)
Color: brownish with white spots, cannot be cleaned
Cap: width 5 – 10 cm
Stipe: thick, white
Gills: white
Flesh: white
Commonly found in dense forests, very toxic.
Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)
Color: red cap with white spots, which do not wash away in the rain.
Cap: width 7 – 25 cm
Ring: white, drooping
Stipe: white with yellow warts at the base
Gills: white
Mushrooms may sometimes appear yellow if found under pine tree roots.
Russula sardonia
Color: pinkish red
Cap: slightly depressed, width 4 – 10 cm
Gills: white, sloping downwards
Stipe: thick, white, slightly pink below
Flesh: white, slightly pink under the outer skin
Taste: very spicy (can eat a small piece).
This is a dangerous mushroom. Grows in damp forests. Has strong laxative properties.
Butterfly Spotted Cap Mushroom (Panacolus papilionaceus): commonly found on decomposed cow dung.
Striped Tongue Cap Mushroom (Panaceolus retirugis): also grows in areas with animal manure.
Golden Mushroom (Hypholoma fasciulare): often grows in large clusters on decayed wood.
Lê Thị Thu Nga (Third-year student of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Natural Sciences)