Top 20 Most Common Toxic or Poisonous Mushrooms in Vancouver

Common ink cap mushrooms grow in clumps from buried wood or tree stumps. They come up with such strength that they have been known to lift pavement or break through asphalt. As they age, their gills will turn black and liquefy, creating the "inky" substance for which they are named.

During the reproductive phase of its life cycle, Spinellus fusiger grows throughout the cap of the mushroom host, eventually breaking through to produce radiating reproductive stalks (sporangiophores) bearing minute, spherical, terminal spore-containing structures called sporangia. Ultimately, the spores in the sporangia are released after the breakdown of the outer sporangial wall, becoming passively dispersed to new locations via wind, water, and insects. The sporangia contain non-motile mitospores known as aplanospores. Like other Spinellus species, S. fusiger is homothallic, a condition where sexual zygospores can be produced union of branches from the same mycelium and so can be produced by the growth from a single spore.

This delicate little mushroom grows on the forest floor in deciduous woodlands. It can also be seen sprouting up by roadsides, under hedges, or in parks and lawns. While there are many varieties of small white mushrooms in this habitat, only the fragrant funnel smells so sweet; its fragrance is similar to anise. Despite this, it is reported to be poisonous.

Sunshine amanita is unique for having a universal veil that covers the cap that eventually breaks into frost-like warts that cannot be removed easily. The species likely carries the common name Sunshine amanita after its bright yellow-orange cap and the tendency to occur in sunlit areas of the wood.

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.

Angel wings(Pleurocybella porrigens) is a delicate, almost ethereal mushroom most commonly found on decaying conifer logs and stumps. In spite of its disarming name, this species is highly toxic and should not be consumed under any circumstances; once considered edible, it has been responsible for numerous deaths in Japan.

The yellowfoot dapperling (Lepiota magnispora) is a shaggy-capped species of Lepiota that can be found growing in wet forests across the western United States. While the species lacks a foot, it does usually have a blush of yellow or tan coloration at the base of its stalk - caps also have a tan or yellow hue, though they tend to darken to brown at their centers.

The corn-silk Inocybe (Inocybe sororia) has caps that mature to about twice the size of a dandelion flower with a semi-flat structure that can evolve to slightly ruffled edges in appearance. The color is generally off-white and grows to a golden brown. None of the Inocybe family can be consumed due to relative toxicity to both humans and animals.

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.