Poisonous mushrooms of the Carpathians

These mushrooms grow in the same Carpathian forests as porcini and chanterelles. For each: its features and the edible species it is mistaken for. Death cap symptoms appear only 6–24 hours later, when the toxin is already at work — at the slightest suspicion call 112 (103 in Ukraine).

Deadly poisonousIn season nowFuneral bellGalerina marginataA small brown mushroom on decaying wood with the same toxins as the death cap. A deadly lookalike of the honey fungus.

In season nowFalse death capAmanita citrinaPale yellow mushroom with the smell of raw potatoes. Not edible by itself, but dangerous because it closely resembles the death cap.

PoisonousFly agaricAmanita muscariaThe red cap with white flakes is the most famous poisonous mushroom. Common in spruce and birch forests of the Carpathians from July to October.

Deadly poisonousDeath capAmanita phalloidesThe most dangerous mushroom in Europe: greenish cap, white gills, ring, and bag-like volva. Deadly poisonous even in small amounts.

Bitter beech boleteCaloboletus calopusA beautiful but very bitter bolete with a light cap and red stem. It turns blue when cut, and the bitterness does not disappear during cooking.

PoisonousSulphur tuftHypholoma fasciculareA poisonous 'tuft' with a sulfur-yellow cap and greenish gills. Grows in clusters on stumps from summer to late autumn.

In season nowRed-belted conkFomitopsis pinicolaA hard, hoof-shaped fungus on spruces and stumps with an orange stripe along the edge. Inedible, but very noticeable on every trail.

PoisonousBrown roll-rimPaxillus involutusThe Brown roll-rim has a curled edge on its cap and gills that darken upon contact. Once considered edible; it is now known to be dangerous.

PoisonousPanther capAmanita pantherinaThe Panther cap is a brown mushroom with white spots and a bulb with a collar at the base of the stem. It is poisonous; it occurs from July to October.

PoisonousRoyal fly agaricAmanita regalisThe brown 'brother' of the red fly agaric from the Carpathian spruce forests: a brown cap with yellowish scales. Poisonous.

In season nowTinder fungusFomes fomentariusGray 'hoof-shaped' fungus on the trunks of beeches and birches. Inedible, but it was once used to make tinder for fire.