You may be surprised to learn that North Carolina is home to a number of highly poisonous mushrooms, so think twice before foraging and then cooking and consuming what you find. Some of the toxic varieties are more deadly than others, while at least one of them has psychoactive effects on those who eat it. Even though there are likely additional varieties, nine of the poisonous mushrooms in North Carolina are listed below. Pay attention, you wouldn’t want to accidentally stumble across one of these!
One of more than 600 mushrooms found in the Amanita species, the chlorinosma is poisonous and should be avoided at all costs. It's commonly found in pine and oak forests in North Carolina.
This one is especially tricky because it doesn't have a lot of notable physical characteristics to help identify it. It looks like any ordinary white mushroom.
Known widely for its psychoactive effect, the Amanita Muscaria rarely causes death, although it's considered toxic. Eating this variety requires special cooking instructions and, even then, cooking might not boil out the psychoactive substances. Don't be fooled by its beautiful coloring, this mushroom is a dangerous one! Beware.
The extremely toxic Amanita virosa has been responsible for scores of mushroom poisonings. One reason is its' similarity to other non-poisonous varieties of mushrooms. Some people even advise against placing this mushroom in the same gathering basket as the mushrooms you plan to eat. It's just that poisonous. If you're going to be foraging for food, it's best to go with a trained professional for safety purposes. You don't want to accidentally be chopping this up for dinner.
Often found growing in houseplants, the Leucocoprinus birnbaumii is also found on the forest floor in warmer environments. Its edibility is unknown, but North Carolina State University includes it on a list of mushrooms to avoid in North Carolina. We certainly don't want to be the ones to test out whether it's edible or not!
This colorful Amanitaceae variety is marked by yellow warts on the cap in its infancy. It grows to about 2.5 inches in diameter and does well in hemlock forest undergrowth. Wikipedia lists its toxicity as unknown, but North Carolina State University includes it on a list of poisonous mushrooms. It's always better safe than sorry with these mysterious fungi.
The Chlorophyllum molybdites can grow to an enormous 12 inches in diameter. Its' toxicity causes much gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting, diarrhea, and colic, which occur within hours of consuming it. The Chlorophyllum molybdites is the most commonly eaten poisonous mushroom in America. It doesn't cause death (usually) so that's a plus, but the side effects are still well worth avoiding.
The golden Amanita gemmata is highly toxic and contains muscarine, which is deadly if ingested. You'll likely find this mushroom growing in the summer and fall in coniferous forests. It looks cute and harmless, but be warned!
The highly toxic Galerina autumnalis sets to work destroying the liver almost immediately after its eaten. It's a common mushroom in North Carolina and, because of its deadly properties, should be avoided.
Also called the Jack-o-Lantern, this poisonous orange-gilled mushroom is commonly found throughout North Carolina. Interestingly, in very low light the gills of this mushroom appear to glow in the dark, as its bioluminescence kicks into gear when the sun sets and the gills glow in a bright blue-green hue. But as cool as the Omphalotus olearius is, you should not eat this one. It's highly poisonous. Making matters worse, it closely resembles a variety of edible mushroom belonging to the genus Chanterelles. At least the glow-in-the-dark properties are a bit of a tip-off.
If you forage for mushrooms, have you ever encountered any of these toxic mushrooms in North Carolina? We love to hear about your firsthand experiences with these fascinating topics, in this case these beautiful but deadly mushrooms. Tell us in the comments, and post your photos in our North Carolina Nature Lovers Group on Facebook!
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More to Explore
Forests In North Carolina
CC|June 30, 2023
What other forests should I visit in North Carolina?
Whether you’re a forager or just a nature lover, there are many stunning forests in North Carolina to visit. You’ll have to see how many of these mushroom breeds you can spot while you’re hiking.
Nantahala National Forest
Pisgah National Forest
Uwharrie National Forest
Croatan National Forest
Cradle of Forestry in America
Bladen Lakes State Forest
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
DuPont State Recreational Forest
Duke Forest
Holmes Educational State Forest
Clemmons Educational State Forest
Headwaters State Forest
What other natural wonders should I visit in North Carolina?
Once you’ve reached your beach bum quota for the day, consider checking out these other unique natural wonders in North Carolina. The state has so much natural beauty to offer, the hardest part is deciding what to explore first.
