Victorians have been warned against poisonous mushrooms.
Victoria’s deputy Chief Health Officer Michael Ackland says autumn conditions have created ideal growing conditions for poisonous mushrooms.
“People should avoid gathering wild mushrooms around Melbourne, in rural Victoria and from their own gardens because of the risk of collecting poisonous varieties which may appear very similar to edible varieties,” Dr Ackland said.
He identified the two of the state’s most dangerous varieties, the Death Cap fungus, Amanita phalloides and the Yellow Staining mushroom, Agaricus xanthodermus.
“Poisonings can occur when people gathering wild mushrooms inadvertently include toxic species,” Dr Ackland said.
Dr Tom May, mycologist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, said the Death Cap was widespread across Melbourne in both public and private gardens and also in Victorian regional areas.
“The Death Cap can appear throughout the year but it is most common a week or two after good rains in autumn, so we could expect a bumper crop about now,” Dr May said.
Dr Ackland said if people enjoy eating mushrooms, they should buy them from a commercial retail food outlet. All mushrooms sold through commercial outlets in Victoria are safe to consume.
“Anyone who becomes ill after eating mushrooms should seek urgent medical advice and, if possible, take samples of the whole mushroom for identification,” Dr Ackland said.
“The symptoms of poisoning may take 10-16 hours to appear after eating and will most likely be stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhea.”
“The Death Cap is extremely toxic and responsible for 90 per cent of all mushroom poisoning deaths. Death can follow within 48 hours,” Dr Ackland said.
“If you have any doubts about a species of fungus or mushroom, don’t eat it.”
Details: www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety/home/death-cap-mushrooms.htm
