VICTORIANS are being warned of the dangers of consuming wild mushrooms, as wet and cooler weather provides the ideal growing conditions for certain types of mushrooms.

Two particular wild mushroom species – Death Cap mushrooms and Yellow staining mushrooms – commonly grow in both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, and can cause gastrointestinal illness, liver failure, and death.

Death Cap mushrooms – the most dangerous species – are typically found near oak trees in metropolitan Melbourne and rural areas. It is an exotic species that was accidentally introduced from Europe and has been found under other deciduous trees or conifers in other parts of the world. These mushrooms are large, with a pale yellow-green to olive-brown cap, white gills, a skirt around the stem and a cup-shaped sac around the base.

Symptoms of poisoning by Death Cap can include stomach pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea within hours of consumption. Even if symptoms subside, serious organ failure can occur 24-48 hours after ingestion that may result in death.

The Yellow staining mushroom is another exotic species that is the cause of most poisonings due to ingestion of wild fungi in Victoria. This mushroom looks very similar to ‘supermarket’ or cultivated mushrooms and to edible wild mushrooms, such as the field mushroom. 

In urban areas, the Yellow staining mushroom can grow in large troops in lawns and gardens. The cap and stem are white-ish to pale brown, and turn yellow when rubbing the surface with a thumbnail.

It usually has an unpleasant odour. Symptoms experienced after consumption include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The severity of symptoms varies with the amount eaten.

People should contact the Victorian Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26 for assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

More information on mushroom poisoning is available on Better Health Channel.