SA Health issues warning after Death Cap mushrooms found in Adelaide Hills

A deadly mushroom with no known antidote has been found growing in the Adelaide Hills, prompting urgent warnings from health authorities.

Dr Teresa Lebel with a full grown death cap and a baby death cap. Picture: Sarah Matray

South Australians are being warned not to pick or eat wild mushrooms as they begin to pop up in parts of the state.

Colder conditions and a recent deluge of rain has created ideal growing conditions across the Adelaide Hills, where death cap mushrooms have been found at several locations recently.

The extremely poisonous mushrooms can resemble some edible species, making it difficult to distinguish them from other wild mushrooms.

With “no reliable way” of telling if a wild mushroom is poisonous, Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said the best thing to do was steer clear.

A baby death cap and a full grown death cap mushroom. Picture: Sarah Matray

“I can’t be clearer – don’t eat wild mushrooms,” she said.

“Don’t risk your life or the life of your loved ones – only eat mushrooms from a reliable grower, greengrocer or supermarket.”

She also warned that poisonous mushrooms in Australia can look similar to edible mushrooms found overseas.

Even in tiny amounts, death caps are extremely poisonous when ingested, so it’s important to keep an eye on children and pets when outside.

The bulbus base of the stem is a good indication to people picking mushrooms that they need to avoid this one. Picture: Sarah Matray

Around 46 per cent of call made to Poisons Information Centre about mushrooms last year involved children under the age of five.

Symptoms of mushroom poisoning include severe stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, which can take several hours to appear and progress to life-threatening liver failure.

“Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Seek immediate medical advice in case the mushroom is toxic,” Professor Spurrier said.

If you come into contact with a wild mushroom, Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of SA Senior Botanist-Mycologist Dr Teresa Lebel recommended taking photos so that experts “can identify the species to determine the most appropriate treatment.”

For help, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 or call 000 in an emergency.

Originally published as SA Health issues warning after Death Cap mushrooms found in Adelaide Hills