Nov 212012
Joyce Grogan photo
While out walking in the woods with her camera Tuesday, photographer Joyce Grogan came upon these two mushrooms poking up through the forest duff.
Readers have quickly responded to our request for information on these red headed shrooms. Darren Turk, Ashley Wechter, Jovita Ballentine and Ralph Aylstock quickly nailed down their proper name and even more quickly pointed out that these things are as pretty as they are deadly. They’re highly poisonous. And, by the way, author Lewis Carol picked this species of mushroom (amanita muscaria) as an element in his adventure classic “Alice in Wonderland!”
Amanita muscaria
The Amanita muscaria mushroom is also known as “Fly agaric” because of its (anecdotal) ability to attract and kill flies. The Amanita muscaria does not contain psilocybin or psilocin. Rather, the hallucinogenic chemicals this mushroom contain are muscimol and ibotenic acid.
The fly agaric is related to some deadly mushrooms: the Amanita virosa (the “Destroying Angel”); Amanita verna and Amanita phalloides (the “Death Cap”). These mushrooms contain toxins that destroy cells in the liver and kidneys. Five to 24 hours after eating one of these toxic mushrooms people may become sick with nausea and stomach problems. Later, severe liver and kidney damage may occur, often resulting in death.Visualy these are the classic “toadstool” with a bright red to orange cap covered in white flecks and a strong white stem and gills.
These are Amanita muscaria. There are lots of them out there right now. They are not considered edible by most people because they cause a hallucinogenic reaction — but only AFTER making you pretty violently nauseous and ill. I personally have never tried them, but the reaction is well documented. DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMENDED.
These are as deadly as the nearly departed Twinkies. They may make a person ill and or make them wish they were dead, but they are most definitely NOT deadly. They are blanched and eaten as a delicacy in Japan.