You may be surprised to learn that North Carolina is home to a number of highly poisonous mushrooms, so think twice before foraging and then cooking and consuming what you find. Some of the toxic varieties are more deadly than others, while at least one of them has psychoactive affects on those who eat it. Even though there are likely additional varieties, nine of the most toxic mushrooms that grow in North Carolina are listed below.
- Amanita chlorinosma
Wikipedia/Alan Rockefeller One of more than 600 mushrooms found in the Amanita species, the chlorinosma is poisonous and should be avoided at all costs. It’s commonly found in pine and oak forests in North Carolina.
- Amanita muscaria
Wikipedia/Ak ccm Known widely for its psychoactive affect, the Amanita muscaria rarely causes death, although it’s considered toxic. Eating this variety requires special cooking instructions and, even then, cooking might not boil out the psychoactive substances. Beware.
- Amanita virosa
Flickr/Charles de Mille-Isles The extremely toxic Amanita virosa has been responsible for scores of mushroom poisonings. One reason is its’ similarity to other, non-poisonous varieties of mushrooms. Some people even advise against placing this mushroom in the same gathering basket as mushrooms you plan to eat. It’s just that poisonous.
- Leucocoprinus birnbaumii
amnachphotob / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images Often found growing in houseplants, the Leucocoprinus birnbaumii is also found on the forest floor in warmer environments. Its edibility is unknown, but North Carolina State University includes it on a list of mushrooms to avoid in North Carolina.
- Amanita flavoconia
Wikipedia/Dan Molter This colorful Amanitaceae variety is marked by yellow warts on the cap in its infancy. It grows to about 2.5 inches in diameter and does well in hemlock forest undergrowth. Wikipedia lists its toxicity as unknown, but North Carolina State University includes it on a list of poisonous mushrooms.
- Chlorophyllum molybdites
Flickr/Scot Nelson The Chlorophyllum molybdites can grow to an enormous 12 inches in diameter. Its’ toxicity causes much gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting, diarrhea, and colic, which occur within hours of consuming it. The Chlorophyllum molybdites is the most commonly eaten poisonous mushroom in America.
- Amanita gemmata
LarisaL / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images The golden Amanita gemmata is highly toxic and contains muscarine, which is deadly if injested. You’ll likely find this mushroom growing in the summer and fall in coniferous forests.
- Galerina autumnalis
Flickr/Jason Hollinger The highly toxic Galerina autumnalis sets to work destroying the liver almost immediately after its eaten. It’s a common mushroom in North Carolina and, because of it’s deadly properties, should be avoided.
- Omphalotus olearius
Flickr/jepeto Also called the Jack-o-Lantern, this poisonous orange-gilled mushroom is commonly found throughout North Carolina. Interestingly, in very low light the gills of this mushroom appear to glow in the dark, as its bioluminescence kicks into gear when the sun sets and the gills glow in a bright blue green hue. But as cool as the Omphalotus olearius is, you should not eat this one. It’s highly poisonous. Making matters worse, it closely resembles a variety of an edible mushroom belonging to the genus chanterelles.
If you forage for mushrooms, have you ever encountered any of these toxic mushrooms in North Carolina? Tell us in the comments, and post your photos in our North Carolina Nature Lovers Group on Facebook!
Wikipedia/Alan Rockefeller
One of more than 600 mushrooms found in the Amanita species, the chlorinosma is poisonous and should be avoided at all costs. It’s commonly found in pine and oak forests in North Carolina.
Wikipedia/Ak ccm
Known widely for its psychoactive affect, the Amanita muscaria rarely causes death, although it’s considered toxic. Eating this variety requires special cooking instructions and, even then, cooking might not boil out the psychoactive substances. Beware.
Flickr/Charles de Mille-Isles
The extremely toxic Amanita virosa has been responsible for scores of mushroom poisonings. One reason is its’ similarity to other, non-poisonous varieties of mushrooms. Some people even advise against placing this mushroom in the same gathering basket as mushrooms you plan to eat. It’s just that poisonous.
amnachphotob / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
Often found growing in houseplants, the Leucocoprinus birnbaumii is also found on the forest floor in warmer environments. Its edibility is unknown, but North Carolina State University includes it on a list of mushrooms to avoid in North Carolina.
Wikipedia/Dan Molter
This colorful Amanitaceae variety is marked by yellow warts on the cap in its infancy. It grows to about 2.5 inches in diameter and does well in hemlock forest undergrowth. Wikipedia lists its toxicity as unknown, but North Carolina State University includes it on a list of poisonous mushrooms.
Flickr/Scot Nelson
The Chlorophyllum molybdites can grow to an enormous 12 inches in diameter. Its’ toxicity causes much gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting, diarrhea, and colic, which occur within hours of consuming it. The Chlorophyllum molybdites is the most commonly eaten poisonous mushroom in America.
LarisaL / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
The golden Amanita gemmata is highly toxic and contains muscarine, which is deadly if injested. You’ll likely find this mushroom growing in the summer and fall in coniferous forests.
Flickr/Jason Hollinger
The highly toxic Galerina autumnalis sets to work destroying the liver almost immediately after its eaten. It’s a common mushroom in North Carolina and, because of it’s deadly properties, should be avoided.
Flickr/jepeto
Also called the Jack-o-Lantern, this poisonous orange-gilled mushroom is commonly found throughout North Carolina. Interestingly, in very low light the gills of this mushroom appear to glow in the dark, as its bioluminescence kicks into gear when the sun sets and the gills glow in a bright blue green hue. But as cool as the Omphalotus olearius is, you should not eat this one. It’s highly poisonous. Making matters worse, it closely resembles a variety of an edible mushroom belonging to the genus chanterelles.
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