Top 20 Most Common Toxic or Poisonous Mushrooms in Cincinnati

1. 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!

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. False parasol

Though the false parasol appears unassuming, the species is famous—or, infamous—for its toxicity. It looks unfortunately similar to Agericus campestrus, a commonly eaten mushroom, but the false parasol can be distinguished by its highly unusual green spore print. Although they are no good to eat, they can be pretty to look at. The species may grow in ring-shaped groups in meadows and on forest floors in what are sometimes called "fairy circles."

8. Eastern american floury amanita

Eastern american floury amanita can be found during the late summer to fall in woodland areas. As hinted by its name, young mushrooms are covered in a flour-like powder that may wear off in older mushrooms. Other Amanitas can appear similar, but these mushrooms often have a ring of flesh around the stem and a cup-shaped structure at the base of the stem, which eastern american floury amanita lacks.

9. Stinking dapperling

The stinking dapperling is a small, delicate mushroom that is relatively nondescript in appearance - however, as its name suggests, it does have a powerful odor. The species is a habitat generalist, popping up in woodlands, gardens, lawns, and abandoned lots. The stinking dapperling also boasts a global distribution, being found across temperate areas of North America, Europe, Asia and the Antipodes.

10. 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.

11. American abrupt-bulbed amanita

American abrupt-bulbed amanita looks almost indistinguishable from other Amanita species in most ways. However, as hinted by its name, american abrupt-bulbed amanita has a distinctively shaped base. This unique appearance has been described as a mushroom stem growing from the lower half of an egg.

12. Freckled dapperling

Freckled dapperling grows on decaying wood most commonly in woodlands but also on mulch or in gardens. Unfortunately, this mushroom may be indistinguishable from other species in the same genus, Echinoderma, without close inspection. However, its pyramid-shaped scales, as referenced by its name, are one aspect that can help differentiate freckled dapperling.

13. 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.

14. Onion-stalk parasol mushroom

This generalist mushroom, found across North America, can be found in all sorts of moist woodland settings. The species appears to be particularly fond of wood chips or mulch, and so it is often found in garden or park settings. The onion-stalk parasol mushroom, despite the word "onion" in its name, is inedible.

15. Red-tinged daperling

This beautiful mushroom is one of the first to pop out after early spring rains. Red-tinged daperling (Leucoagaricus rubrotinctus) is easily distinguished by its coral-red immature cap that remains pinkish in the center even when it matures. The species is not recommended for collecting and eating because its edibility status is still unknown.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. Cinnamon bracket

The cinnamon bracket (Hapalopilus rutilans) is a fungus that causes a white rot on dead wood. Its poisonous fruit bodies appear as brackets, and tend to grow in a dull orangish shade. A chemical reaction with ammonia, however, turns it purple. This fact can be exploited for the creation of wool dyes, with colors ranging from light lavender to deep purple.

20. Lactifluus subvellereus

Lactifluus subvellereus is easily distinguishable by its velvety cap, which is very soft to the touch. Though its cap is white when young, it gains prominent yellowish stains with age. This mushroom releases white, milky latex when bruised, and it is said to have an intense, acrid taste.

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