Poisonous Mushrooms in East Bay Parks Prompts Warning

The Bay Area's recent bouts of rain brought welcome relief to our drought-plagued region, but it also encourages the growth of a looming menace: poisonous mushrooms. The East Bay Regional Park District is warning residents to be extra vigilant when roaming the outdoors this fall, especially with dogs, as the poisonous mushroom season is upon us.

The region is home to two of the world's most deadly mushrooms, the aptly named Death Cap and Western Destroying Angel, according to park officials.

"Both of these species contain amatoxins, a group of molecules that inhibit cellular metabolism in many animals," the district said in a statement. "In mammals, the liver and kidneys are typically the fist organs
affected after ingestion."

Park officials say the two species are responsible for most cases of mushroom poisonings in California, and deadly amatoxins can be found in Galerina and Lepiota species as well, both of which occur in the Bay Area.

The district is reminding visitors that it's illegal to pick mushrooms or any plants found in the parks.

See Also:

• Watch for Snakes on Livermore Trails, Park District Officials Say

Photos by Trent Pearce, Naturalist, Tilden Nature Area via East Bay Regional Park District