Deadly lookalikes overview

Many serious poisonings happen when someone mistakes a dangerous mushroom for an edible one. The groups below are commonly cited in foraging guides and poison centre advice. This is an overview for awareness, not an identification guide. Learn these from an expert in person.

Amanita

The genus Amanita includes some of the most dangerous mushrooms in the world, such as the death cap, Amanita phalloides, as well as other deadly species. Young Amanita mushrooms can look unremarkable, and the clues that matter, such as a cup-like sack at the base of the stem, are often underground. This is one reason experts say to always dig up the whole mushroom. Not all Amanita are deadly, but beginners should treat the whole group with great caution.

False morels

Mushrooms in the genus Gyromitra, such as Gyromitra esculenta, are commonly called false morels because they can resemble true morels. They are commonly cited as dangerous, and some are reported to have caused serious illness. True morels have a cap attached to a hollow stem, while false morels often have a different internal structure. Have a local expert show you the difference in person. True morels must also be cooked, because they are not safe to eat raw.

Galerina

Small brown mushrooms can be a problem. Galerina marginata grows on wood and has been commonly cited as a dangerous lookalike for some edible small brown mushrooms. It is a good reminder that “little brown mushrooms” are a poor place to start.

Jack-o’-lantern and chanterelle

Jack-o’-lantern mushrooms, for example Omphalotus illudens, are orange, grow in clusters on wood or buried roots, and are commonly cited as a lookalike for chanterelles, such as Cantharellus cibarius. Jack-o’-lanterns can cause severe stomach illness. Guides commonly point to differences in the underside and the growth habit, so ask an expert to show you both side by side.

What this means for you

• Learn the dangerous species in your region before you learn the edible ones.
• Check every feature, not just the ones that match.
• Do not eat anything you could not defend to an expert, in person.
• If a mushroom is eaten by mistake, call poison control right away: 1-800-222-1222 in the United States, or your provincial poison centre in Canada. Do not wait for symptoms.

Browse our species guide for lookalike information on each species, with sources.