Dangerous garden discovery! Melbourne resident uncovers a 'very nasty' menace lurking in their backyard
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Your backyard is a place for gardening, relaxation, and creating precious memories with family and friends.
But in recent times, it seems that several backyards in Australia are playing host to some rather unwelcome guests posing significant health risks.
Recently, a Melbourne homeowner was shocked to find a toxic fungus – a 'beautiful' yet 'nasty' amanita muscaria mushroom – sprouting in their garden.
This vibrant red mushroom with white spots might look like something out of a fairy tale or spring-themed decorations, but don't let its appearance fool you. This poisonous mushroom has no place in your salads or hearty stews. In fact, the iconic red cap is potentially life-threatening.
The Victorian Department of Health issued a warning earlier this week, urging locals to be cautious of 'poisonous mushrooms' that have been appearing in backyard gardens, parks, and even on footpaths.
It seems as though we can blame wet weather for creating the ideal conditions for mushroom growth.
This also means that when fungi enthusiasts seek out new specimens, sometimes they don't have to look further than their personal patches.
‘They look like edible mushrooms, and there’s no home test to tell them they are safe from poisonous varieties. If you are not a mushroom expert, don’t eat wild mushrooms. Shop-bought only,' warned the department online.
One might think, 'Surely, cooking or preparing these dangerous fungi a certain way could remove the toxins?' Sadly, no.
The health advisory further cautioned: ‘Cooking, peeling or drying these mushrooms does not remove or inactivate the poison.’
Other mushrooms posing the most risk are Yellow-Staining and Death Cap mushrooms, with the latter being so toxic that just one can be fatal to an adult.
Professor Brett Sutton, Chief Health Officer, advises Victorians to keep a watchful eye for these life-threatening fungi.
Apart from the potentially fatal consequences, the poisonous mushrooms pose another danger to children and pets who may accidentally consume them. Do make a diligent effort to remove any mushrooms you spot in your own gardens to reduce such risks.
With the increasing number of dangerous fungi cropping up, a worrying 114 calls have already been reported this year.
The Victorian Poisons Information Centre (VPIC) recorded ‘323 cases of actual or suspected exposure to a potentially poisonous mushroom’ in the past 12 months, with 113 of those cases referred to or already at a hospital.
Dr Brett Summerell, a Mycologist and Director of Science at the Royal Botanic Gardens, has observed an alarming boom in the growth of toxic mushrooms due to the weather conditions. He has already seen photos of amanita muscaria mushrooms in Melbourne and a significant number in Canberra.
‘They tend to come out in larger numbers as the weather cools, so I expect we’ll see a lot more,’ he explained.
While this garden discovery may add a touch of unexpected colour to our backyards, interacting with or consuming these menacing mushrooms is far from desirable.
Amanita muscaria is particularly dangerous, so stay clear of it. The fungus is hallucinogenic and dangerous. Dr Summerell also said that ‘despite the fact that you see them in nursery stories as where the fairies live, they can be pretty nasty!’
In case you suspect the consumption of a dangerous mushroom, the Victorian Poisons Information Centre recommends contacting them immediately.
Do you have any stories of similar finds on your property? Have you ever spotted this toxic mushroom in the wild? Let us know in the comments below.
But in recent times, it seems that several backyards in Australia are playing host to some rather unwelcome guests posing significant health risks.
Recently, a Melbourne homeowner was shocked to find a toxic fungus – a 'beautiful' yet 'nasty' amanita muscaria mushroom – sprouting in their garden.
This vibrant red mushroom with white spots might look like something out of a fairy tale or spring-themed decorations, but don't let its appearance fool you. This poisonous mushroom has no place in your salads or hearty stews. In fact, the iconic red cap is potentially life-threatening.
This mushroom is NOT edible. Credit: Reddit
The Victorian Department of Health issued a warning earlier this week, urging locals to be cautious of 'poisonous mushrooms' that have been appearing in backyard gardens, parks, and even on footpaths.
It seems as though we can blame wet weather for creating the ideal conditions for mushroom growth.
This also means that when fungi enthusiasts seek out new specimens, sometimes they don't have to look further than their personal patches.
‘They look like edible mushrooms, and there’s no home test to tell them they are safe from poisonous varieties. If you are not a mushroom expert, don’t eat wild mushrooms. Shop-bought only,' warned the department online.
One might think, 'Surely, cooking or preparing these dangerous fungi a certain way could remove the toxins?' Sadly, no.
The health advisory further cautioned: ‘Cooking, peeling or drying these mushrooms does not remove or inactivate the poison.’
Other mushrooms posing the most risk are Yellow-Staining and Death Cap mushrooms, with the latter being so toxic that just one can be fatal to an adult.
Professor Brett Sutton, Chief Health Officer, advises Victorians to keep a watchful eye for these life-threatening fungi.
Apart from the potentially fatal consequences, the poisonous mushrooms pose another danger to children and pets who may accidentally consume them. Do make a diligent effort to remove any mushrooms you spot in your own gardens to reduce such risks.
With the increasing number of dangerous fungi cropping up, a worrying 114 calls have already been reported this year.
The Victorian Poisons Information Centre (VPIC) recorded ‘323 cases of actual or suspected exposure to a potentially poisonous mushroom’ in the past 12 months, with 113 of those cases referred to or already at a hospital.
Dr Brett Summerell, a Mycologist and Director of Science at the Royal Botanic Gardens, has observed an alarming boom in the growth of toxic mushrooms due to the weather conditions. He has already seen photos of amanita muscaria mushrooms in Melbourne and a significant number in Canberra.
‘They tend to come out in larger numbers as the weather cools, so I expect we’ll see a lot more,’ he explained.
While this garden discovery may add a touch of unexpected colour to our backyards, interacting with or consuming these menacing mushrooms is far from desirable.
Amanita muscaria is particularly dangerous, so stay clear of it. The fungus is hallucinogenic and dangerous. Dr Summerell also said that ‘despite the fact that you see them in nursery stories as where the fairies live, they can be pretty nasty!’
In case you suspect the consumption of a dangerous mushroom, the Victorian Poisons Information Centre recommends contacting them immediately.
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