Mushroom Poisoning: the old, the new, the bizarre
George Caughey
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Dr. Caughey, an emeritus professor of medicine at UCSF, is a physician-scientist and amateur mycologist. He has stalked and photographed fungi for decades, with a focus on roles in local ecosystems and a side interest in public health related to mushroom poisoning. He has led adult and school groups on mushroom-themed walks in California and New England and lectured to conservation groups on fungal topics. He and his family have travelled to England, Hawaii, Scandinavia, and Sicily in search of delectable and novel mushrooms. His publications about fungi include articles on mushroom poisoning and the history of foraging.
Talk
Mushroom Poisoning: the old, the new, the bizarre
Fungi produce a range of toxins, which vary significantly in their
effects and threats to humans and animals. These toxins are sometimes the stuff of legends, murder mysteries, apocalyptic fantasies, and considerable misinformation. This talk’s focus is on the small subset of mushrooms with lethal potential, including those involved in recent fatalities linked to morels and edibles containing mushroom products. Over the past few decades, a single species, Amanita phalloides has caused most US mushroom-related deaths. This same death cap has poisoned people for millennia in Europe, where it is native. Upon being introduced to California about 90 years ago, it adapted to native oaks and spread widely, especially in the Bay Area. Although deaths due to mushroom ingestion are uncommon, and the chance of surviving ingestion has improved in recent years, the death cap and a similarly toxic native California relative, the death angel, remain the most important fungal fruit bodies for foragers to recognize and avoid.
Past Fairs
The Mycological Society of San Francisco has been hosting 1 or 2 Fungus Fairs each year since 1969. Fairs have been held in San Francisco County, Alameda County, San Mateo County, and Marin County. Historical information is available about previous Fungus Fairs:
