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Death Cap Mushroom

What is death cap mushroom?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Scientific name Amanita phalloides[2]
Family Amanitaceae[3]
Native range Europe and the British Isles[1]
Fruiting season July to November[3]
Habitat Mixed deciduous woods, often under oak and beech[3]

The death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) is a highly poisonous fungus responsible for most mushroom-related fatalities worldwide.

Context

The death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) is a highly poisonous fungus responsible for most mushroom-related fatalities worldwide [2]. It contains amatoxins, phallotoxins, and virotoxins [1]. Cooking, peeling, soaking, or drying does not remove the poison [4]. Symptoms can begin 6 to 12 hours after ingestion, with a false recovery and then organ failure [4].

Documented claims

  • The death cap contains amatoxins, phallotoxins, and virotoxins. [1]
  • Cooking, peeling, soaking, or drying does not remove the poison. [4]
  • It is responsible for 90% of mushroom-related fatalities each year. [2]
  • Ingesting one death cap mushroom can kill a healthy adult. [4]

Questions and answers

How poisonous is the death cap mushroom?

It is extremely poisonous; one mushroom can kill a healthy adult, and it causes 90% of mushroom-related deaths annually [2].

Are there death caps in Canada?

Yes, death caps have been found in Canada, including a fatal case in British Columbia in October 2016 [4].

Can you treat death cap mushroom poisoning?

Treatment exists but is most effective if started early; symptoms appear 6–12 hours after ingestion, and the toxins cause liver and kidney damage [4].

Sources

  1. Death Cap –Amanita phalloides - Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne — rbg.vic.gov.au (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. State Herbarium Factsheet — data.environment.sa.gov.au (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Death cap mushrooms rise again in Treasure Valley — healthandwelfare.idaho.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. Death Cap Mushroom: 10 Facts About The World’s Deadliest Mushroom — icyhealth.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Things