Nature on our doorsteps: Best to leave these alone . . .

Rosaleen Dwyer is the County Heritage Officer at South Dublin County Council – every week she gives us an insight into nature on our doorsteps and the beautiful biodiversity of its plants and wildlife.

Many of our wild mushrooms are edible, and they are eagerly looked for by those who know exactly what to find.

Many other mushrooms, however, contain toxins or poisons that can make us feel either mildly unwell, very sick, or worse, can end in a fatal poisoning.

The Amanita group of mushrooms include both edible and poisonous species.

Of the approximately 500 Amanita species worldwide, about 15 species occur in Ireland and Britain.

The most recognisable Amanita species is the attractive red Fly Agaric with white spots on its cap.

While this mushroom is often depicted in fairy stories, it is highly dangerous if eaten.

Some Amanita species are said to be very tasty, but unfortunately others are the most toxic mushrooms known in the world.

Some are deadly in only very small doses.

The Fly Agaric mushroom is probably the best known of the Amanita group

They mainly affect the functioning of the liver, and there is no effective or reliable cure when a large volume is eaten.

Because of that, the common names given to some of these highly toxic species help to warn us off. Names like Death Cap, Destroying Angel, Panther Cap, and Fool’s Mushroom highlight the potential danger that some Amanita species pose if they are eaten.

The Death Cap alone is responsible for most of the fatal mushroom poisonings around the world, while the Destroying Angel is a close second.

The Amanita toxins appear to affect mostly mammals, however.

Many flies and other invertebrates appear not to be affected by the poisonous compounds.

Mushrooms, including the Amanitas, are full of minerals and other nutrients, so some flies depend on them as a food source for their young larvae.

Because some of the edible Amanitas can look very like the toxic Amanitas, and to avoid any potentially fatal mistakes in identification, it is strongly recommended not to eat any of this group of mushrooms. It is probably best to leave them to the flies and their larvae.

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