Top 14 Most Common Toxic or Poisonous Mushrooms in Wisconsin Rapids

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

The bearded milkcap (Lactarius pubescens) unlike many other milk caps, has a shaggy margin along the edge of its cap, giving it a "bearded" appearance. Bearded milkcaps have an otherwise traditional milk cap structure, with a rounded cap, often upturned that has a dimple in its center. The species can be found across the temperate northern hemisphere and usually associates with birch trees.

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.

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.