What is the deadliest mushroom of all?
Some mushrooms are deadly because they are hepatotoxins. (Liver
toxins). Clinical classification of mushrooms is based on symptoms.
Some of the deadliest mushrooms are in Group I, II and VIII. Group
I mushrooms are the Cyclopeptides, which includes the toxins:
amatoxins, phallotoxins, virotoxins. Some species under this group
are Amanita phalloides(death cap), A. virosa (destroying angel), A.
verna (death angel), A. brunnescens, A. pantherina, A. bisporigera,
Galerina autumnalis, G. venenata These mushrooms have mortality
rate of over 60% Group II mushrooms are the Gyromitrin containing
mushrooms. The toxin in these mushrooms are Monomethylhydrazine
(gyromitrin). This group includes species such as Gyromitra
californica, G. brunnea, G. esculenta. These mushroom have
mortality rate around 50-60% Group VIII mushrooms are more of the
deadly ones, initially the patient who ingests them will present
with headache, chills, effects on the kidneys & renal failure.
They also cause GI symptoms. However, mortality is rare because the
effects are reversible. The toxin in Group VIII mushrooms is
Orelline and orellanine. This group contains species such as
Cortinarius speciosissimus and C. orellanus.