Representative poisonous mushrooms

toxin type of poisoning

lorchel, or false morel (Gyromitra esculenta) gyromitrin toxicity to people is variable; causes severe liver damage accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, enlarged and tender liver, coma, convulsions; fatality rate about 15 percent

fly mushroom, or fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) muscarine symptoms develop rapidly and are severe, consisting of severe gastrointestinal disturbances, delirium, hallucinations, convulsions; rarely causes death

death cap (Amanita phalloides) amanitine, phalloidine symptoms develop slowly, about 6–15 hours after eating: extreme abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst, anuria (absence or defective excretion of urine), prostration, weakness, jaundice, cyanosis, convulsion, death; fatality rate about 50 percent; no known antidote but some treatment available

jack-o'-lantern fungus (Omphalotus olearius) muscarine causes gastrointestinal upset, not fatal

inky cap (Coprinus atramentarius) unknown some people experience a peculiar type of intoxication after eating this mushroom and then drinking an alcoholic beverage: giddiness, gastrointestinal upset, prostration, and tachycardia (rapid heart action); the alcohol is believed to increase the solubility and absorption of the poison

Entoloma sinuatum unknown causes gastrointestinal upset, usually not fatal

Inocybe patouillardii muscarine symptoms are similar to A. muscaria poisoning

Lepiota morgani unknown causes gastrointestinal upset; fatalities have been reported

Mexican hallucinogenic mushroom (Psilocybe mexicana) psilocybin, psilocin causes euphoria, loss of sense of distance and size, and hallucinations