Toxicity

Autumn can be a dangerous time. It seems that most bad things in my life have happened at this time of year, and as I guess that i am in the autumn of my life, the situation can only get worse.

Recently, two local women collected wild fungi from the botanical gardens here. This is a common passtime as the woodlands and fields are full of mushrooms and toadstools of all descriptions. Most of them are safe to eat and some of them are delicious and highly prized. There are so many species out there, and luring among them are a handful that are highly toxic. Most of the nasty ones are fairly easy to identify, but the worst of them all is not. It has a significant name - The Death cap, and in its immature state, at first glance it looks much like a button mushroom. They are easily harvested by mistake and they even taste good.

The unfortunate women ate some of these, and one has since died, the other as far as i know remains very ill. The toxins in the Death cap have no antidote and a 90% mortality rate as the toxins destroy both liver and kidney function. These innocuous looking things are clearly best avoided.

There are a few bits of advice that can be offered to those who delve into the woods for free and delicious food.

1. If you are not 100% sure about identifying the really nasty ones, then stick to the supermarkets.

2. Never eat anything with white gills. Field mushrooms have gills that range from pink to dark brown.

3, Avoid anything with a ragged skirt as shown in the photo.


I had a friend for whom Autumn is a favourite time. At this time of year I remember so many good things and yet I always feel a sense of apprehension and foreboding. Personally I always heave a long sigh of relief when springtime returns. Right now, springtime seems a long way away.