Interesting article in 'Guardian Weekend' (13th Nov.)

[Jim Ford]

Page 14 - "I nearly died after eating wild mushrooms".

Basically about mistaking young Destroying Angels for inkcaps!

Jim

[solus]

Link to article Jim refers to:
Experience: I nearly died after eating wild mushrooms | Life and style | The Guardian

[Paul mabbott]

I read that and thought, 'What a silly chap', or something like that ...

[John_M]

I wonder how many WAB members read that and then rolled their eyes?
I find it quite strange that they were growing in close proximity to a suspect poisonous mushroom, and didn't behave as he expected when he cooked them, but he was still prepared to eat them.

[Deb London]

I did think he was stupid and I had to disagree with him when he said that his experience shouldn't deter others. Of course it blummin' should.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Deb London

I did think he was stupid and I had to disagree with him when he said that his experience shouldn't deter others. Of course it blummin' should.

well evolutionary speaking i suppose theres something to be said for halfwits poisioning themselves

but yes the bottom line is that fungi Id is complex and no one should eat anything unless they are absolutely sure of what it is - and even then they should only eat a little at first in case they are wrong.

This is also why WAB doesnt allow "is this eddible" threads - as we cant be sure what someone is looking at, even from photos

[Jim Ford]

What evolutionary advantage for the fungi, is the toxicity of eg. the Death Cap and Destroying Angel, when there are no clear warning signs such as the red of the Fly Agaric to say 'don't eat me!' - or is it just an unfortunate by-product of the fungi's metabolism?

I believe rabbits can eat Death Cap because they have an enzyme which neutralises the toxins.

Jim

[Wild-Woman]

Some things really should be left to the experts or with an expert- foraging for fungi for consumption is definitely one of these.

[alge]

Originally Posted by eeyore

well evolutionary speaking i suppose theres something to be said for halfwits poisioning themselves

Ahhh if only it were that easy, A firm but fair assesment.

[healfdan]

I really cannot see this chap reaching a ripe old age. Lucky to survive after eating a Destroying Angel, he then risks life and limb by posing on a rocky ledge without a hard hat. Mind boggling.