Poisonous mushrooms occur in Sonoma County and it's always a good idea to be cautious when cooking with wild mushrooms. Never eat a wild mushroom unless you're absolutely certain of its identity.
If you think you, your child, or even your dog may have eaten a poisonous mushroom, seek medical attention immediately.
Free EMERGENCY identification service
Because identifying poisonous mushrooms can be tricky, the Sonoma County Mycological Association offers a free identification service to hospitals, veterinarians, and concerned citizens of Sonoma County.
After seeking medical attention, contact Darvin DeShazer for identification.
*Photos should show all sides of the mushroom. Please do not send photos taken with cell phones—the resolution is simply too poor to allow accurate identification.
More resources
These websites will help you learn more about mushroom poisoning, and what to do if you think you or your child has eaten a poisonous mushroom
- California Poison Control System
- Emergency Poison Action Line: 1-800-222-1222
- Mushroom Poisoning in Children
- Information for parents about mushroom poisoning in children from familydoctor.org.
- Mushroom Toxins
- US Food and Drug Administration information on the kinds of toxins found in mushrooms.
- Mushroom Poisoning Case Registry
- You can file a written report of a poisoning case through the North American Mycological Association (NAMA). NAMA tracks collects and disseminates data on mushroom poisoning in North America. File a poisoning report with NAMA »
- Toxic Fungi of Western North America
- Dr. Thomas Duffy, longtime MSSF member and past MSSF president (1967-1968) has completed his article, after much research, on the "Toxic Fungi of Western North America".
General identification
For non-emergency identification, consider signing up for SOMA's Identification Group, or check out more resources on our Identification page.