Exercise caution when picking this seemingly harmless plant in your garden – an expert has issued a warning that it could prove toxic and, in certain instances, deadly. As temperatures begin to drop and moisture increases this September, you might spot a proliferation of mushrooms appearing throughout your garden, reports the Mirror.
Fungi thrive in autumn’s heightened humidity and milder conditions, making foraging a favoured pastime during this season – particularly amongst those who relish preparing their own home-cooked dishes. Nevertheless, not every type of fungus is benign. An expert has revealed that whilst certain mushrooms are perfectly safe to eat, others can prove extraordinarily poisonous.
Elliot Webb, mushroom specialist, author, and founder of Urban Farm-It, has urged gardeners to remain extremely vigilant for dangerous fungi that might appear deceptively similar to consumable varieties.
Elliot said: “With over 15,000 species of fungi in the UK, it’s no surprise that some garden mushrooms can be mistaken for edible varieties. Unfortunately, that mistake can be dangerous – or even fatal – which is why identification is so important.”
Amongst the most easily recognised, and most perilous, is the Fly Agaric, distinguished by its vivid red or orange cap adorned with white markings. Elliot cautioned: “The Fly Agaric is a prime example of how looks can be deceiving. Its bright colouring makes it one of the most iconic mushrooms, but it’s also toxic. While rarely deadly, it can cause vivid hallucinations and serious stomach problems.”
Another common danger is the Fool’s Funnel, also known as the Sweating Mushroom due to its unpleasant side effects.
“The Fool’s Funnel often pops up on well-kept lawns and is easy to overlook,” he said. “But it contains a compound called muscarine, which affects the nervous system and can be fatal in large doses. It’s especially concerning because of how common it is.”
However, not all garden mushrooms are harmful, according to Webb. He highlighted the Field Mushroom and Shaggy Inkcap as examples of edible varieties, but warned they are only safe when properly identified.
He stated: “Field mushrooms and Shaggy Inkcaps are both edible and commonly found in grassy areas. But even with these, confident identification is crucial. Several toxic mushrooms look similar to edible ones, especially to the untrained eye.”
And what if you’re unsure about the type of mushroom you’ve found? In this case, Eliott advised: “If you’re not 100% sure what you’re looking at, leave it alone.
“Garden mushrooms should never be eaten unless identified by an experienced forager or mycologist.”