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Mushroom Poisoning

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Published on May 24, 2022. Last modified on February 05, 2026

ToxicMushrooms

Wild mushrooms grow in many areas of California, especially in the fall and winter after it rains. Poisonous mushrooms can look and taste like grocery store mushrooms. Additionally, newly arrived persons to California who are accustomed to foraging in their home country may mistake poisonous mushrooms in California for safe mushrooms foraged or cultivated in their native country. Foragers in California face great risk.

Eating poisonous mushrooms can cause serious illness, permanent liver damage, and death. Cooking, boiling, freezing, or drying poisonous mushrooms does not make them safe to eat. Unless you have been trained on how to identify different species of mushrooms in California, do not pick or eat wild mushrooms.

PoisonousWildMushroomsENSymptoms of Mushroom Poisoning

Symptoms of mushroom poisoning can include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Confusion
  • Seizures
  • Liver damage
  • Death

Symptoms usually begin 6 to 24 hours after eating poisonous mushrooms. Sometimes early symptoms go away within a day BUT serious to fatal liver damage can still develop within 2 to 3 days.

If you believe you have eaten a poisonous mushroom, call the California Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or seek medical are immediately. Take any of the uneaten mushrooms with you if you visit a medical provider. Experts can identify the mushroom, which can help with your medical care. To preserve the mushroom, place it in a paper bag or waxed paper (not plastic) and refrigerate. If you don't have the mushroom, photos of the mushroom (including its cap, stem, and underside) can be helpful. 

Common Poisonous Wild Mushrooms SP

Prevent Wild Mushroom Poisoning

The only safe mushrooms are those purchased at established food markets. To avoid being poisoned by mushrooms:

  • Do not pick or eat wild mushrooms.
  • Do not eat wild mushrooms that were picked by friends or family members.
  • Buy mushrooms at a trusted food market.
  • Watch children closely when they play outside where mushrooms grow. Most poisonings happen to children under 6 years old.
  • Keep pets away from wild mushrooms - animals can be poisoned too.
  • If a pet eats a poisonous mushroom, contact your veterinarian or the American SPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435.

 For More Information

For Medical Providers

Please report suspected cases of mushroom toxicity to the County of Monterey Health Department’s Communicable Disease Unit by phone (831-755-4521) or faxed Confidentiality Morbidity Report (831-775-8076) within 24 hours.