Top 20 Most Common Toxic or Poisonous Mushrooms in Boston

1. Yellow patches

The yellow patches is a gorgeous, striking species with a deep marigold or vermillion cap that sometimes appears as a blend of the two. Like some other members of the Amanita genus, it also sports patchy white worts - when it's cap is still very convex, it somewhat resembles the famous white and red mushrooms from the Mario Bros video games. While beautiful to look at, this species is toxic and should not be harvested.

2. Jack-o'lantern mushroom

The jack-o'lantern mushroom is so-called because of its bright orange color, and because it often appears in the fall (usually before Halloween, though). This vibrant little mushroom can be found growing on decaying hardwood stumps and logs. The species does have some superficial resemblances to the highly edible chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius), but it is toxic and should be avoided!

3. Common earthball

With an appearance similar to a crusty potato, the common earthball blooms from acidic soils, including compacted paths on the forest floor. It matures to a yellowish tinge and is found across the northern hemisphere. It is a close cousin to bolete mushrooms but is considered to be poisonous and is never eaten.

4. Black bulgar

The black bulgar is an unusual fungus that looks a bit like black gumdrops. While some authorities classify it in an "unknown edibility" group, others claim it's a poisonous mushroom. Either way, its unappealing appearance surely makes it an easy choice not to consume the black bulgar.

5. Flowerpot parasol

This tropical/subtropical mushroom is known to be toxic. If eaten it causes a very unpleasant stomachache with the risk of fatal complications. In temperate zones, flowerpot parasol is only found in hothouses and greenhouses, so the risk of accidental foraging is low, but it may occur with potted plants and indoor landscaping and pose a risk to curious children.

6. Surprise webcap

The subdued yellow or beige caps of the surprise webcap (Cortinarius semisanguineus) do indeed hide a surprise - underneath the cap, this mushroom boasts gorgeous, ruby or maroon-red gills. While not considered edible, the surprise webcap is still sought-after - it can be used to produce a deep and lovely red-brown dye.

7. Rufous rubber cup

The rufous rubber cup is a tiny, cup-shaped, reddish-brown mushroom that commonly grows on twigs and fallen branches. The species is considered inedible, and its modest look almost certainly wouldn't attract anyone to consume it.

8. Mower's mushroom

The mower's mushroom, also referred to as the lawnmower's mushroom, is so named because it frequently crops up in lawns. The species is rather nondescript, and it is considered a member of the infamously hard-to-distinguish "Little Brown Mushroom" (LBM) family. While the mower's mushroom is not known to be toxic to humans or dogs, several of these close look-alikes are.

9. Cleft-footed amanita

The cleft-footed amanita is a North American mushroom species that was once classified as the notorious Amanita phalloides (the Death cap). Although later found to be less deadly, the cleft-footed amanita is a highly variable species that is not considered safe to forage for consumption.

10. Brick cap

This tufting mushroom grows on hardwood stumps and deadwood. The brick cap seems particularly fond of oak wood. It is similar in most respects to the Sulfur Tuft or Conifer Tuft, except that its cap is a brick red color. Brick caps should be regarded as inedible and are likely to cause stomach problems if consumed.

11. False chanterelle

The common name of this mushroom refers to the fact that it looks very similar to the edible and highly prized Chanterelle. This species, however, tastes bitter and may cause poisoning symptoms. False chanterelle occurs around the northern hemisphere in autumn and winter, growing on coniferous detritus, and is more likely to fruit in dry conditions rather than the usual wet.

12. Woolly chanterelle

The woolly chanterelle, which looks only vaguely similar to its famed, edible chanterelle cousins, is vase-shaped and has large, pale folds and wrinkles on its underside (as opposed to having gills, like those of more sought-after chanterelles). Woolly chanterelles can cause upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea in some who eat them, while leaving others completely unaffected. Needless to say, the species is not considered a "choice edible".

13. Lilac bonnet

The lilac bonnet is common around the northern hemisphere in woodlands of all types, and can sometimes also be seen in grasslands. It is toxic to humans due to its muscarine content, a poison that can cause convulsions and death after ingestion.

14. Yellow-tipped coral

Yellow-tipped coral(Ramaria formosa) is a pinkish, much-branched coral fungus known for its distinct appearance and many colorful varieties. It has been reported to cause gastrointestinal distress in some people, and so consumption is strongly discouraged. Older specimens may become brittle and chalk-like.

15. Coker's amanita

Coker's amanita may appear similar to other Amanita mushrooms but can be distinguished through careful observation of its features. The large size of this mushroom is one of its most distinctive features. This mushroom can be found in a variety of situations, growing alone or in groups, forming connections with hardwoods or conifers, and growing in the summer to fall season.

16. False death cap

A close cousin to the more deadly Amanitas such as Destroying Angel and Deathcap, the false death cap is an inedible mushroom that regularly grows on forest floors across the northern hemisphere. It consumes both hardwood and soft, and fruits from late summer to autumn.

17. Syzygites megalocarpus

18. Shaggy scalycap

These mushrooms are most commonly found in clusters underneath old broadleaf trees and on their stumps. Their scientific name, Pholiota squarrosa, means “scaly with upright scales,” and that is exactly how the surface of the mushrooms appears. They are sometimes mistaken for honey fungus, as they share the same color, but the shaggy scalycap is definitely not edible.

19. Salmon pinkgill

Entoloma quadratum is easily recognized by its pointed salmon pink cap. As the mushroom matures, the color fades. Despite its attractive look, the salmon pinkgill is considered a toxic species and should not be collected and consumed.

20. Sulphur tuft

The sulphur tuft grows on rotting wood of all types of trees; it is a particularly efficient decomposer of hardwoods. The mushrooms appear from spring to autumn and are often so tightly packed that they interfere with each other’s shape. This poisonous mushroom can cause temporary paralysis, distorted vision, and stomach pain if consumed.

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