@cindydoedee: Death caps (Amanita phalloides) are in the news and in our forests right now, let’s talk about it There have been 20+ recent poisoning resulting in 1 death reportedly after eating death caps. This is a lot of harmed people, and it is really awful and sad. Amanita phalloides is an invasive mushroom in California, introduced via European trees that were imported. It spreads aggressively in oak forests here in the Bay Area. One thing to note is that this mushroom will only harm you (and your dog) if EATEN. Symptoms often appear some time after eating (6-24 hours). The mushroom is not poisonous to touch or to look at. Poisonings are a result of eating something that has been misidentified. This doesn’t mean foraging is dangerous. It means eating something you haven’t properly identified is dangerous. I don’t disagree with public health warnings urging caution but the takeaway should be education, not panic. Some ID tips to identify death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides): • Cap color: Pale green, yellow-green, or white, light brown-ish, usually a bit shiny • White - creamy gills, finely attached or detached to the stipe • A skirt-like ring on the stem (most of the time, but sometimes it gets rubbed off or stuck on the the cap) • A bulbous base with a sac-like volva (often underground — always check the base!) • Commonly found near oaks especially coast live oak in CA ⚠️ Many edible mushrooms can look similar to the untrained eye! When in doubt, do not eat! There are plenty of ways you can still appreciate and interact with mushrooms without eating them. Foraging is one of the most basic human activities since the start of humanity, foraging broadly is not dangerous - interesting something poisonous is dangerous, and misidentification is a result of lack of education or access to education. There are lots of way to learn about mushrooms, and when of the best ways is to go outside and interact with them. With practice, you can notice the finer details that are crucial for identification. I host community forays (plant & mushroom walks) in the Bay and we talk about poison and safety and also experience the magic and abundance of our fungal neighbors. Link is on my page if you’d like to be notified of events i host. #foraging #deathcapmushroom #mushroomforaging #bayarea #california

cindydoedee

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Tuesday 09 December 2025 21:15:36 GMT