Natural History Wanderings

Berkeleyside reported

Mycologists and mushroom foragers rejoice in the rainy season as it’s when many of their favorite species can be found. But some can be deadly and so, as it does every year around this time, the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) is warning of the danger posed by toxic mushrooms.

Two of the world’s deadliest types of shrooms thrive in the East Bay: the Amanita phalloides (death cap) and the Amanita ocreata (Western destroying angel).

Both are associated with oak trees, and can be found growing anywhere oak roots are present, according to the park district. Both the death cap and the destroying angel contain amatoxin, a lethal chemical compound that causes liver failure. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning typically appear around 12 hours after consumption.

California Poison Control System operates a free hotline at 1-800-222-1222T

Read more at  Know your deadly mushrooms this rainy season