Taipei Veterans General Hospital warns against eating wild mushrooms
臺北榮民總醫院警告不要食用野生蘑菇
| TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Continuous rain and high humidity have spurred wild mushroom growth across Taiwan, even in unlikely spots such as a road divider in Kaohsiung’s Fengshan District.
Yang Chen-chang (楊振昌), director of the Occupational Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, warned against relying on folk methods to identify poisonous mushrooms, such as judging by bright colors, lack of insect damage, or whether silver turns black upon contact, per UDN. Over nearly four decades, his hospital records show mushroom poisonings occur most often between May and September, coinciding with the rainy season, with higher incidence in Taipei, Taichung, Nantou, Kaohsiung, and Hualien. The false parasol (Chlorophyllum molybdites) is the most commonly mistaken poisonous mushroom in Taiwan, as it resembles the edible parasol mushroom. Yang said Taiwan has more than 60 poisonous mushroom species, many similar in appearance to edible types. Yang noted that mobile apps offering plant and mushroom image recognition, some using AI and public databases, remain unreliable due to variables such as photo angles, lighting, and mushroom growth stages. Even experts often rely on both morphological characteristics and molecular identification to confirm species and toxicity. Consuming poisonous mushrooms can damage the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, liver, kidneys, or blood. Some toxins have long incubation periods, delayed onset, and no specific antidote. Early identification, timely treatment, and quick evacuation are key to preventing severe illness or death. Yang advised stopping consumption immediately and preserving samples while also photographing them if poisoning is suspected. Seek prompt medical care, as children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses face higher risks. Some mushrooms causing liver or kidney damage can trigger a “false recovery” period in which symptoms temporarily improve, delaying critical treatment. Symptoms of poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, hallucinations, convulsions, bleeding, confusion, or difficulty breathing. Anyone who suspects poisoning should contact the Taiwan Poison Control Center’s 24-hour toll-free hotline (02-2871-7121), which can refer specialists for identification and DNA sequencing. |
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| Sean Scanlan Taiwan News, Staff Writer | |
| 2025-08-10 |
