Health warning as deadly death cap mushrooms found growing in NSW

Deadly death cap mushroom have been found growing in parts of NSW, leading authorities to warn people against eating wild mushrooms.

A full grown DeathCap and a baby Deathcap. The bulbus base of the stem is a good indication to people picking mushrooms that they need to avoid this one. Picture: Sarah Matray

The deadly death cap mushrooms which have been at the centre of a triple-murder trial in recent months have been found growing in parts of NSW, leading authorities to warn people against eating wild mushrooms.

NSW Health said the Amanita phalloides - common name death cap mushroom - have been detected in Sydney, the Southern Highlands and Southern NSW.

Consumption of the mushroom could have detrimental effects and lead to death.

“Symptoms of mushroom poisoning can sometimes be delayed … These include vomiting and diarrhoea, and in severe cases, liver and kidney damage or death,” NSW Poisons Information Centre senior specialist Genevieve Adamo said.

“Early treatment is vital to health outcomes.”

The warning follows 23 hospitalisations from the toxic effect of the ingested mushrooms in 2024 and coincides with the murder trial of Erin Patterson, who is accused of using death cap mushrooms in a beef wellington to poison four lunch guests - three of whom died and one who survived.

According to Botanic Gardens of Sydney chief scientist, professor Brett Summerell, “there is no easy or reliable way to identify if a wild mushroom is edible or poisonous.”

“Cooking poisonous mushrooms does not make them safe to eat.

“You should only eat mushrooms you buy from a reputable grocery store, supermarket or produce market,” Prof. Summerell said.

Already this year, NSW Poisons Information Centre has responded to 190 calls regarding exposures to wild mushrooms in NSW and ACT.

Authorities are urging parents to monitor their children who could potentially ingest a mushroom outdoors, and to remove any mushrooms that may grow.