Top 7 most poisonous mushrooms in the world

Mushrooms, while often appreciated for their culinary variety and distinctive flavors, also pose great risks to human health. Out of the many hundreds of species that grow throughout the world, a small portion contains powerful toxins that can lead to severe poisoning or even death if ingested. These poisonous mushrooms are easily confused with the edible varieties, making foraging for wild mushrooms a very dangerous activity. The danger is not only in the toxic properties of these fungi, but also their appearance, some of the most poisonous varieties having close resemblance to edible mushrooms commonly consumed.

Toxins of such dangerous fungi cause a whole spectrum of manifestations from gastrointestinal disorder to organ failure, and, without immediate medical treatment, become fatal. Recognising the peculiarities of poisonous species is critical to avoid incidental consumption. This article delves into some of the deadliest mushrooms, highlighting their effects and how to differentiate them from their edible cousins.

Most poisonous mushrooms in the world






World’s most deadliest mushrooms




Death Cap (Amanita phalloides)


Death Cap is one of the deadliest mushrooms in the world, found mostly in Europe. They look like straw and Caesar's mushrooms that are edible. The chances of poisoning accidentally increase because of their resemblance to edible mushrooms. Even when cooked, Death Cap mushrooms can cause serious poisoning due to the presence of heat-stable amatoxins. Abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea start to manifest 6-12 hours after ingestion, leading to fluid loss, liver, and kidney failure. It can result in coma and death if left untreated. The mushroom is involved in many fatalities, including those of Pope Clement VII and possibly Emperor Claudius.

Conocybe filaris


The Conocybe filaris is highly toxic and common in the Pacific Northwest. These mushrooms are often confused with harmless ones. Like Death Cap, this mushroom contains potent amatoxins. The symptoms of poisoning from Conocybe filaris start 6-24 hours after ingestion, initially mimicking food poisoning or stomach flu. A temporary improvement in symptoms may lead people to believe they are recovering. However, the poisoning often reemerges with severe gastrointestinal distress, liver, and kidney failure. Without proper treatment, the condition worsens and can result in death. Its similarity to edible mushrooms makes it particularly dangerous for foragers.

Webcaps (Cortinarius Species)


Webcaps are toxic, in northern Europe, some species including Cortinarius rubellus and Cortinarius orellanus, in which orellanin, a toxin caused with a delayed onset in about 2-3 weeks. The early symptoms are like the flu, and the condition is frequently misdiagnosed, while actual poisoning leads to kidney damage; eventually, irreversible kidney failure happens and becomes fatal if untreated. The Webcap poisoning is rather stealthy due to its very long latency, which makes the poisoning hard to discover until it does much damage. One of the best-known cases included an author whose family needed to get kidney transplants after consuming webcaps.

Autumn Skullcap (Galerina marginata)


The Autumn Skullcap mushroom can be found throughout the Northern Hemisphere and parts of Australia. As with the Death Cap, the Autumn Skullcap contains the amatoxins, making it highly poisonous. Its ingestion reflects symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and hypothermia; if left untreated, it may result in death due to liver damage. Although it does not resemble edible mushrooms often, it has caused mistaken identities, like that of hallucinogenic Psilocybe species, which reflects in accidental ingestion. Toxicity in Autumn Skullcap leads to fatal organ failure and, thus, demands immediate medical attention for those misguided into consuming wild mushrooms, where proper identification is lacking.

Destroying Angels (Amanita Species)


Destroying Angels are a species of white mushrooms belonging to the Amanita genus. They are highly toxic and resemble edible mushrooms such as button mushrooms and meadow mushrooms, resulting in many accidental ingestions. The toxins found in these mushrooms cause symptoms between 5-24 hours post-ingestion, including vomiting, delirium, seizures, diarrhea, and liver and kidney failure. Unless treated promptly by a doctor, the toxins kill. The most poisonous species is Amanita bisporigera, which occurs in North America. Because symptoms are not apparent until after poisoning has occurred, it is difficult to diagnose and treat, hence the deadly nature of these mushrooms.

Podostroma cornu-damae


Podostroma cornu-damae is a rare and extremely poisonous mushroom native to Asia, especially Japan and Korea. The red fruiting bodies contain trichothecene mycotoxins that are extremely toxic and cause severe poisoning upon ingestion. The symptoms include abdominal pain, peeling of the skin, hair loss, hypotension, and liver damage. If not treated promptly, poisoning may cause acute renal failure and multiple organ failure, leading to death. It is a rare condition and is not frequently encountered, but it has caused several deaths in Asia, especially among people who unknowingly consumed this deadly fungus.

Deadly Dapperling (Lepiota brunneoincarnata)


The Deadly Dapperling is an amatoxins-containing mushroom, similar in chemical composition to the Death Cap. It's widespread in Europe and large parts of Asia, often misidentified as harmless, edible mushrooms. The Deadly Dapperling can provoke severe liver damage upon ingestion; it causes patients to experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. If it's not treated immediately, it results in liver failure and can lead to death. Though poisoning from this mushroom is rare, its deadliness means that anyone searching for wild mushrooms must exercise caution. It calls for proper identification and knowledge to avoid deadly mistakes.