What is the most poisonous mushroom?

The Death Cap (Amanita phalloides) is responsible for 90% of fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide. A single cap contains enough amatoxin to kill an adult. The Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera) is equally deadly. Neither has an antidote.

How long after eating a poisonous mushroom do symptoms appear?

Amanita species have a 6-24 hour symptom-free period during which liver and kidney damage is occurring. GI symptoms then appear, apparently resolve, then organ failure follows. Never wait for symptoms before seeking help.

Does cooking destroy mushroom toxins?

No — Amanita toxins (amatoxins) are heat-stable and not destroyed by cooking, drying, freezing, or any other preparation. Never assume cooking makes an unknown mushroom safe.

Can you tell a poisonous mushroom by taste?

No — the Death Cap reportedly tastes pleasant. Taste is completely unreliable as an edibility test. Never taste-test an unknown mushroom.

☠️

Danger: ☠️ EMERGENCY: If you or someone has eaten an unknown mushroom and is feeling ill, call Poison Control immediately: 1-800-222-1222 (US). Do not wait for symptoms — some deadly mushrooms have a symptom-free period of 6-24 hours during which organ damage is occurring.

☠️

☠️ Poisonous

Free Poisonous Mushroom Identifier by Picture Online

Upload a photo of a suspect mushroom and instantly check for dangerous poisonous species. Get toxicity warnings, symptoms, and emergency guidance for all identified toxic fungi.

⚠️ Safety Information

☠️ EMERGENCY: If you or someone has eaten an unknown mushroom and is feeling ill, call Poison Control immediately: 1-800-222-1222 (US). Do not wait for symptoms — some deadly mushrooms have a symptom-free period of 6-24 hours during which organ damage is occurring.

About Poisonous Mushrooms

Poisonous mushrooms range from mildly irritating to lethally toxic. The most dangerous are Amanita species — the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides) causes 90% of fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide, and the Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera) is one of the most toxic organisms on Earth. Our identifier specifically flags potential poisonous species with toxicity information and emergency contact details.

How Our AI Identifies Poisonous Mushrooms

Upload a photo of the mushroom. Our AI specifically looks for features associated with dangerous species: white or yellow-green coloration, ring on stem, cup (volva) at base, white gills, and classic Amanita features. All identifications of potentially dangerous species include explicit toxicity warnings and Poison Control contact information.

🔍 Key Identification Features

White to greenish-yellow coloration typical of deadly Amanita species
Ring (annulus) on the upper stem — present in death cap and many Galerinas
Cup (volva) at the base — critical diagnostic feature of deadly Amanitas, often buried
White gills that don't change color
Small brown mushrooms (LBMs) — many Galerina or Conocybe species are deadly despite innocuous appearance
Absence of distinctive features — plain, anonymous-looking mushrooms are often dangerous

🧭 Forager Tips

→Always dig up the entire mushroom including the base — the volva cup at the base is the definitive identifier for deadly Amanitas.
→Never eat button-stage mushrooms — Death Caps are often mistaken for edible puffballs at the button stage.
→Beware the Amanita rule: white gills + ring on stem + cup at base = potentially deadly, regardless of how edible it looks.
→Know the look-alikes: chanterelles are confused with Jack-o-Lantern (toxic); morels with False Morels (toxic).
→If in any doubt, don't — many toxic species cause irreversible liver damage with no antidote.