Lactarius torminosus
Identifying poisonous mushrooms requires memorizing each type individually, seeking expert advice, observing colors, smelling odors, touching them, and truly understanding them. Special attention must be paid when eating mushrooms to determine whether they are toxic.
There are some folk methods for distinguishing between poisonous and edible mushrooms:
1. Poisonous mushrooms often come in various bright colors, while non-poisonous ones are usually white or brownish.
2. Those with warts on the cap, or with rings and volvas on the stem, are poisonous; the absence of these features usually indicates they are not.
3. Poisonous mushrooms often grow in dirty, damp, and nutrient-rich areas, whereas non-poisonous ones tend to grow in cleaner environments.
4. Poisonous mushrooms tend to change color easily after picking, while non-poisonous ones do not.
5. Poisonous mushrooms are usually soft and juicy, while non-poisonous ones are more dense and brittle.
6. The juice of poisonous mushrooms is often cloudy like milk, while that of non-poisonous ones is clear like water.
7. Poisonous mushrooms often taste acrid, sour, bitter, or spicy, whereas non-poisonous ones have a delicious flavor.
8. When cooking mushrooms, poisonous ones can turn silverware black, and if milk is added, it will coagulate immediately.
However, none of these methods are absolutely reliable. The shape, color, and ecology of mushrooms are not necessarily linked to their toxicity. Some mushrooms are poisonous, but their toxicity may decrease or disappear after washing, boiling, drying, or cooking.
Always follow these principles when foraging and eating mushrooms:

1. Avoid fungi with white gills, stems with volvas (ring-like attachments), or those with rings on the stem. Do not eat any umbrella-shaped fungi where the flesh turns yellow at the cut.
2. Avoid any fungi showing signs of decay. Unless you are certain they are edible, discard them.
Different types of poisonous mushrooms can cause various symptoms of poisoning. Common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, extreme thirst, night sweats, convulsions, dizziness, blindness, and a drop in body temperature.
3. If you accidentally consume poisonous mushrooms, try to expel the toxins as quickly as possible. In addition to using warm saline enemas for induced defecation, for those who do not vomit after poisoning, drink large amounts of diluted saltwater or induce vomiting by pressing your fingers against the throat. Rinse the stomach repeatedly with 1% saline or strong tea to prevent continued absorption of toxins.
Edible wild plants and mushrooms are more nutritious than cultivated vegetables, but never test your luck with potentially toxic varieties. When unsure, it’s best to avoid them.

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