With seasonal rains becoming more frequent, State Health Director Diana Bonta' today reminded consumers of the potential dangers of eating wild mushrooms. Although poisonous mushrooms may be found in some parts of California year-round, they are most commonly found in the fall and winter months after the rains.
Some poisonous mushrooms look nearly identical to non-poisonous mushrooms.
Wild mushrooms should not be eaten unless they have been carefully examined and deemed edible by a recognized mushroom expert. In the winter of 1998-99, at least two hospitalizations were blamed on this deadly mushroom. Individuals who refer to mushroom guidebooks or have families who have collected mushrooms for many years in their native countries may mistakenly believe that they can distinguish the deadly mushroom found in the Western United States from edible varieties. This deadly mushroom may look different at different times of the year, at different stages of development and in different regions. Mushroom collectors often overestimate their ability to distinguish deadly mushrooms from edible mushrooms, sometimes with tragic results.