and tell all of you; If you aren't 100% certain of the wild mushroom you have picked, don't eat it. Last Sunday, I picked what I thought were Chantrelles. Turns out they was Jack O' Lanterns. I was right sick for a spell. No permanent damage. The book I consulted said the experience would be unpleasant. That is an uderstaement! I even missed a day of work. That's the first time in two years! Now, at work, instead of 'Uncle Charley', they call me 'Mushroom Head'. My name is not Charley, and I have no idea why I garnered that nickname. But I guess, everyone has an 'Uncle Charley'. This is the first day I've felt somewhat normal since I ate 'em.
I've often thought of picking wild mushrooms. However, after hearing of your experience,I've now decided not to bother. I have just bought a mushroom kit from a reputed garden centre though so will, hopefully, be growing my own. So very glad that you're almost back to 100% fitness again and that you will have no lasting side affects.
I would never trust my identification skills enough to eat a mushroom that I picked in the wild. I have enough trouble selecting them in the grocery bin. Thank heavens you are feeling better and the after-effects aren't permanent. We'd sure miss you around the Stew :'(.
Oh boy...that's horrible! I'm glad you are feeling better 'Mushroom Head'! Just kidding...that could have ended horribly. Please be careful!
OH FBG, So sad to hear this for you. I also don't pick mushrooms from the wild because of this. I have a mushroom ID book and enough of them have the toxic symbol that I am not willing to try them. You are not the first one I have heard of this fall for eating and being poisoned. I think Fall mushrooms are much more dangerous than spring ones. Awful lesson to learn, Hope you are back to feeling yourself soon!
Glad to hear you are recovered,..eating the wrong one can be very damaging,..i know i tend to pick mushrooms and sometimes eat them raw,..but we are getting more and more species popping up,..lookalikes to edible ones,..so i am putting a halt to my eating habits,..the mushroom below looks like its peppered and salted ready to go,..pictured yesterday in my garden,..a first appearance. ( photo / image / picture from Philip Nulty's Garden )
FBG, I am glad you will be okay! When I was a kid, my brother Frank and I ate some poison toadstools and we had to get our stomachs pumped. That was not the only time we had to get our stomachs pumped for eating things we should not have. Anyone ever read Pat McManus stories ? Did you read the one about his friend who was always inviting himself to breakfast ? He fixed an omelette or something with okay mushrooms in it and after his friend was eating some, told his friend they were ones he found growing in his yard and didn't really know what they were??? It cured his friend of inviting himself to breakfast all the time. Be careful of what mushrooms you do eat. The only ones I know for certain are morels and those staghorn looking ones. Morels pop up here in April, and the staghorn ones come up in the fall. Personally, I am not a big mushroom eater though and rarely eat any. Those red capped ones are deadly...
Mushrooms can indeed be deadly. I have identified 'Angel of Death' mushrooms growing locally. They certainly don't look deadly, yet, they will kill a person quickly, in an unpleasant manner. I'm off mushrooms for a while. Probably till spring. And nightowl, I think would rather have had my stomach pumped than suffer the 10 hours of regurgitation (I'm attempting to be polite here). Ms. Carolyn, yes fall 'shrooms can be more dangerous than spring, that is why one must be very careful. Philip, lovely photograph. I wish I had that skill. No more knoshing raw for you! Marlin, The well wishes are truly appreciated. I don't trust my ID skills either, that's why I carry the book. Miss Eileen, In the next year or so, I will collect the necessary items to grow shitake next to the house. I can buy the spawn in plugs to insert into oak logs. At the market shitake runs to $10-15 per pound fresh, a great deal more dried. I think I might have a go at selling some even. Thanks again for all the well wishes, I did not intentionally leave anyone out, I have a poor memory, apolgies where needed. FBG
So glad you are ok. Looked this up, as Chantrelles have been the only mushroom that I would pick in the wild, as was told that they were the only mushoom in the fall, with the stem going seamless into the cap. Looking at the Jack o Lantern mushroom, I can say that my mom was wrong.
Glad youre ok FBG! I myself cant stand mushrooms, cooked or raw (I can only tolerate em if theyre cut up reeealllly fine in a cassarole or something).
we use to hunt morel mushrooms in the spring.Ate them for years. Ended in ER.Had Iv and stayed in Bathroom for a day. I don't eat any form even canned creamed for cooking.
