Mushroom Guru · South Africa · Poisonous Species

Poisonous
Mushrooms

Critical identification of dangerous species — the ones that cause serious harm or death. Know before you forage. Click View Now for full toxin profiles and field identification tests.

17Species
7Deadly
10Seriously Toxic
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Safety notice: This guide is for educational identification purposes only. Never consume any mushroom solely on the basis of a photograph or online guide. Several species on this page are deadly — a single cap of the Death Cap or Destroying Angel may be fatal. Always seek expert confirmation. When in doubt, do not eat. Seek emergency medical care immediately if any suspected ingestion of a toxic mushroom.

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Showing 17 species
South African Poisonous Field Guide

Dangerous species — know them before you forage

Death Cap Mushroom
Amanita phalloides Death Cap

Responsible for approximately 90% of fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide. Half a cap may be fatal. T…

deadly skullcap
Galerina marginata Galerina / Deadly Skullcap

The Deadly Skullcap is the most dangerous mushroom in suburban SA. It contains the same lethal amato…

fly agaric
Amanita muscaria Fly Agaric

The most recognisable mushroom in the world — and one of the most toxic. Contains ibotenic acid and …

panther cap
Amanita pantherina Panther Cap

The Panther Cap contains the same ibotenic acid and muscimol as the Fly Agaric but at higher concent…

copper trumpet
Omphalotus olearius Copper Trumpet / Olive Tree Clitocybe

The most important poisonous mushroom to know in SA's olive-growing regions (Western Cape, Garden Ro…

sulphur tuft
Hypholoma fasciculare Sulphur Tuft

The Sulphur Tuft is one of the most common toxic mushrooms in SA — growing in dense clusters on virt…

false parasol
Chlorophyllum molybdites False Parasol / Green-spored Lepiota

The most common cause of mushroom poisoning in South Africa. Closely resembles the edible White Para…

yellow stainer
Agaricus xanthodermus Yellow Stainer

The most common cause of confusion with edible Field Mushrooms and Portobello. Closely resembles the…

destroying angel
Amanita virosa Destroying Angel

Pure white from cap to volva — one of the most beautiful and most deadly fungi on earth. Contains id…

deadly webcap
Cortinarius rubellus Deadly Webcap

The Deadly Webcap's toxin — orellanine — causes delayed kidney failure with onset 2–3 WEEKS after in…

livid pinkgill
Entoloma sinuatum Livid Pinkgill

The most common cause of mushroom poisoning in Europe after the Death Cap. Responsible for hundreds …

brown roll-rim
Paxillus involutus Brown Roll-rim

Previously consumed safely across Europe for generations. Now known to cause a cumulative immune-med…

ivory funnel
Clitocybe dealbata Ivory Funnel

Contains among the highest muscarine concentrations of any known mushroom species. Causes classic SL…

fool's webcap
Cortinarius orellanus Fool's Webcap

Contains identical orellanine kidney toxin to the Deadly Webcap (C. rubellus) with the same catastro…

spring skullcap
Conocybe filaris Spring Skullcap

A small, brown, entirely unremarkable-looking mushroom in suburban gardens that contains the same le…

ghost fungus
Omphalotus nidiformis Ghost Fungus

Australia's bioluminescent mushroom, now widespread in SA wherever Eucalyptus trees occur. White to …

false death cap
Amanita citrina False Death Cap

Closely resembles the Death Cap but generally far less toxic — containing only small amounts of bufo…

This guide is for educational purposes only. Never consume any mushroom solely on the basis of this guide. Always seek expert confirmation. ©2026 Mushroom Guru (Pty) Ltd

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