The 5 Most Poisonous Mushrooms In The World

Not All Types Of Fungi Are "Fun Guys"

Mushrooms are a strange and wonderful species. While some types are the most delicious and coveted foods on the planet, others pack enough poison to kill an adult human in one bite. Here are five of the deadliest you’ll definitely want to avoid on your next forest walk.

1. Death Cap

The aptly named death cap is the most deadly mushroom in the world. Half of one mushroom contains enough poison to kill an adult human, and it's responsible for 90 percent of mushroom-related deaths.

2. Destroying Angel

The destroying is a beautiful but potentially deadly mushroom. Closely related to the death cap, it's among the most dangerous mushrooms in the world, but poisoning symptoms often don't appear until 6 to 24 hours after eating it.

3. Deadly Webcap

The deadly webcap is a rare but fatally poisonous mushroom found in parts of Europe and western North America. Eating one can cause kidney damage or failure.

4. Autumn Skullcap

The autumn skullcap is a highly toxic mushroom that can be fatal when eaten. Symptoms of poisoning include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, eventual kidney failure, coma, and death, usually within one week of eating it.

5. Deadly Dapperling

The deadly dapperling is highly toxic and unfortunately closely resembles an edible variety of mushroom. It was responsible for a poisoning outbreak in Iran and the fatalities of four family members in Tunisia in 2010.