Poisonous plant on a. The most poisonous plants in the world. Edible toadstool look-alikes

Every adult knows that among mushrooms there are deadly poisonous species. Thousands of people die from poisoning every year. Such dangerous mushrooms grow on all continents except Antarctica. Introducing titles and descriptions poisonous mushrooms. Of course, it is impossible to list them all in one article. Therefore, we will only talk about the most dangerous ones found in Russia.

Death cap

Number one in the world among the most poisonous plants is a mushroom that is ubiquitous in Russian forests, meadows and pastures. This is a pale grebe. Agree, even in its name there is something unpleasant and repulsive. But in appearance it is quite cute, depending on its age, it is very similar to champignons, russula or greenfinches. Inexperienced lovers of quiet hunting are happy to fill their baskets with toadstools, because these mushrooms even smell pleasant and tasty.

Having barely hatched from the ground, young pale grebes have a clearly visible vulva (protective film) and a white ovoid body. With age, they acquire a white, greenish or grayish cap. It can be slightly concave or flat. The diameter of the cap reaches 15 cm. The stem of the mushroom has a white “skirt” at the top, and is thicker closer to the ground. It can grow up to 16 cm in length (usually about 6-7 cm), and 15-25 mm in width. The flesh of the toadstool is white and tastes sweet. It contains large quantities of poisons such as amanitins, phalloidins and amanin. To die, you only need to eat a quarter of a cap.

Poisoning

This deadly poisonous mushroom is dangerous not only because it looks like an edible one. Its insidiousness lies in the fact that the first signs of poisoning (uncontrollable vomiting, bloody diarrhea, severe pain in the peritoneum and muscles, heart failure, hypotension, threadlike pulse) appear only a day or two after eating toadstool, when the liver and kidneys are already heavily damaged. Another unpleasant nuance of poisoning is that on the 4th day there may be an unexpected improvement in the condition, which sometimes lasts for several days. After this comes death. Lethal outcome from poisoning with pale toadstools is recorded in 99% of cases.

Fly agarics

We put these mushrooms in second position because some of them are deadly poisonous. Many people imagine him as a real handsome man with a red hat with white dots. In fact, fly agaric is not one mushroom, but an entire genus, numbering about three dozen species. Among them there are the following groups:

• Edible and even delicacy (fly agaric imperial and caesar mushroom).
• Conditionally edible (float or fly agaric Sicilian, ovoid, solitary, gray-pink).
• Simply inedible, although not poisonous (fly agaric, yellow-green, bristly, spiny-headed, gray, purple, knobby, thick and others).
• Toxic. To be fatally poisoned, you need to eat a lot of them, but in moderation they are hallucinogenic. This is the well-known fly agaric with a red cap with white speckles. It is widely used in medicine, as a medicine, for example, against cancer, and in everyday life for baiting insects. Hence its name.

But there are also unusual things in the family dangerous species. There aren't many of them. The list of poisonous mushrooms includes royal fly agaric (not to be confused with imperial), spring (or white), stinking (or stinking toadstool) and panther. Each of them contains the poisons muscarine, muscaridine, and some additionally contain hyoscyamine and scopolamine. Poisoning with these fly agarics is fatal in 9 out of 10 cases.

Short description

I would like to warn you that only those who are perfectly versed in them can collect fly agarics for food, because in many ways the “bad” and “good” species are quite similar.

Let's talk about the characteristics of poisonous representatives.

Outwardly, it looks a little like the red fly agaric, only its cap can be gray, brownish, greenish, or light brown. Along its edges there are often flakes hanging from the bedspread. The pulp is white and does not change color in the air. Its consistency is slightly watery, foul-smelling, and sweetish in taste. The leg is most often thicker at the bottom, slightly fleecy, and has a white ring-shaped rim at the bottom. Some specimens have a white, fragile ring on it.

• Royal fly agaric. This is a real giant, reaching 20 cm in height. The diameter of the cap can also be about 20 cm. This mushroom is hard to miss. Its cap can be ocher, brown or greenish, and its shape is flat, spherical or depressed in the center, with radial stripes. On top it is covered with white “dots” (remnants of the bedspread). The pulp ranges from light yellow to brown, odorless. The leg is thick, whitish, thickened downward, velvety, and has several belts. Distinctive feature from the imperial fly agaric is that the cap of the latter is bright orange or ocher, without white dots.

False honey mushrooms

This is also not just one mushroom, but whole group, which includes edible, conditionally edible, toxic (not fatal) and very poisonous. Outwardly, they are all similar to ordinary honey mushrooms - small in size, grow in a friendly family on stumps and old logs, have relatively long legs and bell-shaped or semicircular caps. You can distinguish “good” mushrooms from “bad” ones by their color.

Let's consider especially dangerous types:

Galerina can be safely called one of the most poisonous mushrooms in the world, since when poisoned by it, death is recorded in 90% of cases. This false honey fungus can grow either in a family or alone. It has a convex cap up to 4 cm in diameter, a long stem (up to 7-10 cm). The color of the cap can be from pale yellow to brown-orange, and it changes depending on the humidity. The outside of the cap is almost always oily or covered with sticky mucus. The pulp is white or light brown, with the smell of flour. It contains deadly poisons amitoxins.

• False honey is brick-red. It is distinguished from the previous type by the color of the cap, which is most often rich brick. But there are specimens with orange, yellow and even white caps. In principle, this species is conditionally edible. In all cases of poisoning, brick-red false honey fungus is indicated erroneously instead of gray-yellow.

Pig

Pig mushrooms were included in the list of poisonous mushrooms only in 1944. Before this, they were considered conditionally edible. The fact is that they contain a special antigen that sticks to our red blood cells, thereby causing an autoimmune response in the body. As a result, a person develops hemolytic anemia, renal failure, and nephropathy. For this to happen, pigs need to be eaten for a long time (until their antigens accumulate in sufficient quantities).

Many people, having eaten them once, do not experience any painful symptoms, so no one associates the death with the pig. Death most often occurs in children and people with kidney problems. Externally, the mushroom is quite nice and very similar to a good one. It has a thick short leg, a fleshy large cap (up to 15 cm in diameter), which can be slightly convex or flat. Its color varies from olive-brown to rusty-brown. The pulp at the site of damage (pressure) quickly darkens. You can often see worms and insects in it. Using the example of a pig, we can say that the signs of poisonous mushrooms do not always work. If you focus only on whether the caps are wormy or not, you can make a fatal mistake.

Omphalote olive

This plant is considered by some to be one of the most poisonous mushrooms in the world, because symptoms of poisoning (vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, sweating, irregular pulse, blurred vision and breathing) occur within 15 minutes after eating. However, it rarely ends in death. Usually the victim’s health is restored within a day.

In Russia, olive omphalot is found in Crimea. Outwardly, it looks a little like tinder mushrooms. Grows on stumps, logs, trunks of deciduous trees. Its leg is very short (up to 3 cm), but can be barely noticeable. The cap reaches a diameter of 12 cm. It is smooth to the touch, less often finely scaly. Its color is always orange with the addition of red or yellow. Distinctive feature olive omphalot - its plates glow in the dark.

Gindellum Peca

Each country has many of its own poisonous mushrooms. Of interest is the species Gindellum Peck, named after the scientist - mycologist. In Russia, it is extremely rare in Crimea and the Caucasus.

Many consider it the most poisonous mushroom in the world and even attribute mystical properties to it, because it is capable of secreting a red liquid similar to blood. Due to this, it is called the bloody mushroom or bloody tooth. In fact, Gindellum Peca is not poisonous. Some people eat it after careful cooking. But there are few of these, since its pulp is very bitter.

Features

Of course, it is important to know how to distinguish poisonous mushrooms. Outwardly, they can be very similar to edible ones (for example, false chanterelle, burning russula, greenfinch). Only experienced mushroom pickers can recognize them. Pale toadstool is distinguished from champignon by the color of the plates, which are white in the poisonous mushroom and dark in the champignon. The flesh of the toadstool is not as brittle as that of the russula, and the greenfinch, unlike the toadstool, does not have a vulva. External differences other types of mushrooms may be different. What they have in common is that poisonous species are never worm-like. Some “cooks” test toxicity using an onion. To do this, place it and the mushrooms in a container of water. If the bulb has darkened, then the contents of the container should be thrown away. Please note that these comparisons and experiments can be fatal. Therefore, it is better to avoid questionable mushrooms.

Some animals have the amazing ability to kill using toxic chemicals, or poison. This method is considered one of the most cowardly, insidious and effective. In this article, you will discover 11 poisonous animals in the world that can easily kill an adult.

There are "passively" venomous animals (which transmit their venom by being eaten or attacked by other animals) and "actively" venomous (they inject venom into their victims using stingers, fangs or other devices.

The most poisonous amphibian: The terrible leaf climber

It lives only in the tropical rainforests of western Colombia. The poison of one frog can kill from 10 to 20 people. (Only one type of snake Liophis epinephelus, is resistant to the poison of the terrible leaf climber, however, if exposed to a sufficiently large amount of toxin, the reptile may die).

Interestingly, the terrible leaf climber produces its poison from its diet of native ants and beetles; specimens kept in captivity and feeding on fruit flies and other common insects are completely harmless.

Most poisonous spider: Brazilian wandering spider

If you suffer from arachnophobia (fear of spiders), there is good and bad news for you about the Brazilian wandering spider. The good news is that these spiders live in the tropics South America, and do not always inject a full dose of poison during a bite, and also rarely attack people; The even better news is that an effective antidote (if administered quickly) can prevent death. The bad news is that the spider's venom contains powerful neurotoxins that slowly paralyze and suffocate its victims, even in microscopic doses.

Men bitten by Brazilian wandering spiders often experience painful erections.

Most Poisonous Snake: McCoy's Taipan

The venom of this Australian snake is the most powerful among land snakes. Toxic substances contained in one individual can kill hundreds of adults. (Its venom consists of neurotoxins, hemotoxins, mycotoxins, and nephrotoxins. This means it can dissolve your blood, brain, muscles, and kidneys before you hit the ground.) Luckily, this poisonous snake rarely comes into contact with people, and even when she does (if you know how to interact with her), she becomes quite meek and easily tamed.

The most poisonous fish: Wart

This fish lives in shallow waters in the South Pacific Ocean. It looks ominously like a rock or piece of coral (the camouflage is meant to ward off predators) and if stepped on, the wart injects a powerful dose of toxins into the person's foot.

Australian authorities are actively replenishing supplies of antidotes, so there is high probability save life (subject to timely administration of the antidote).

Most Poisonous Insect: Maricopa Ant

Maricopa Ants ( Pogonomyrmex maricopa) quite dangerous insects. About 300 bites of these ants can cause death in an adult. Their venom is much stronger than that of hornets and honey bees. One bite of such an ant causes acute pain that lasts about 4 hours.

Fortunately, it is virtually impossible to accidentally step on a Maricopa ant colony and end up getting stung by hundreds; These insects are known to build nests with a diameter of about 9 m and a height of up to 2 m!

The most poisonous jellyfish: Sea wasp

Box jellyfish (jellyfish characterized by a rectangular bell shape) are by far the most dangerous invertebrate animals in the world, and the sea wasp ( Chironex fleckeri) is considered the most poisonous species of jellyfish on the planet. The tentacles of the sea wasp are covered with nematocytes - stinging cells, which, upon contact, cause burns.

Most people who come into contact with a sea wasp's tentacles experience excruciating pain, but a close encounter with this species can kill you in five minutes.

Most poisonous mammal: Platypus

Of course, platypus venom will not cause death to a person, but it will cause severe pain and swelling. Its poison is capable of killing small animals. On the hind limbs of males there are spurs (about 15 mm long) that contain poison. Most often, males use these spurs to fight each other during the breeding season.

Other venomous mammals include: 3 species from the shrew family and the Cuban slittooth ( Solenodon cubanus).

The most poisonous mollusk: Marble cone

If you've never used the phrase "predatory sea snail," then you clearly don't know enough about the sea creatures that can kill you with a single bite. This mollusk is capable of paralyzing its prey (including other snails of the genus Conus) using a toxic poison that can easily kill an unwary person.

Unfortunately, no one has ever calculated how much poison can harm an adult.

Most poisonous bird: Bicolored blackbird flycatcher

The bicolored blackbird flycatcher from New Guinea contains a powerful poison called batrachotoxin. It is found in the skin and feathers of birds and can cause mild numbness and tingling in humans, but is much more dangerous for small animals. (Apparently, thrush flycatchers synthesize poison from beetles that are part of their diet (these beetles are also part of the diet of dart frogs).

Another well-known poisonous bird is the common quail, the meat of which (if the bird has consumed a plant of a certain species) can lead to a non-fatal disease for humans called coturnism.

Most poisonous octopus: Blue-ringed octopus

Blue-ringed octopuses live in the Indian and Pacific oceans and are quite modest in size (the largest individuals rarely exceed 20 cm). Their bite is almost painless, but the venom causes paralysis and can kill an adult within just a few minutes.

There is currently no antidote for blue-ringed octopus bites.

Most poisonous turtle: Hawksbill

Unlike some of the other animals on this list, the hawksbill turtle is not miniature: adults weigh about 80 kg, about the same as the average person. These turtles are distributed throughout the world, and individuals from Southeast Asia that eat toxic algae have poisonous meat that can cause poisoning in humans (symptoms of poisoning: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other intestinal ailments).

These turtles are endangered and protected by law.

It's no secret that the natural world is extremely diverse and multifaceted. We use the gifts of our Earth, plants, every day. However, we should not forget that among the representatives of the flora living in different parts of the planet, there are a huge number of potentially dangerous to human life and health. Should not be underestimated possible harm from encountering poisonous herbs, berries, mushrooms.

Belladonna's yellow and black berries are especially poisonous, however, the stems and leaves also contain poison.

Got it from Belladonna Chemical substance atropine, which has a fairly strong effect on the central nervous system, for example, under its action the pupils dilate.

This property of Belladonna made it a favorite “beauty” potion among Italian women in the old days, which is where the name of the plant came from, which translated means “ beautiful woman" Atropine is now used in traditional medicine. The effect of such, even modern drugs, however, can hardly be called absolutely safe.

The first signs of Belladonna poisoning may be:

Hallucinations and confusion are possible.

The first aid in this case will be emergency gastric lavage with potassium permanganate.

Hogweed

This name of a poisonous plant is familiar to many, because more than 40 species of Hogweed grow in our country alone (not all of them are poisonous).

It is not difficult to recognize it: the hogweed is large and, as a rule, tall plant(can reach 2.5 meters) with small white flowers collected in “umbrellas”. Very often, Hogweed grows along country roads.

Its danger is that this plant can leave a serious burn on the skin, especially on a sunny day. This is due to the substances furanocoumarins; under the influence of ultraviolet radiation they enhance their effect. Just touching the leaves of Hogweed is painless in itself, until sunlight begins to actively fall on the affected area. The consequences may be a second degree burn. Getting the plant juice into your eyes is extremely dangerous. The result may be complete or partial loss of vision.

As first aid for a Hogweed burn, you need to disinfect the affected area of ​​skin with furatsilin or potassium permanganate and apply Bepanten ointment.

It is necessary to get rid of Hogweed by carefully cutting off the buds (strictly wearing closed clothing and gloves). The use of herbicides will also be useful.

Crow's eye four leaf

Crow's eye is a poisonous plant, quite attractive in appearance: in the center there is a rosette of 4 leaves, and above them is one bright purple berry. All parts of the Crow's Eye pose a danger to life and health: the berry for the heart, the leaves for the central nervous system, roots - for the stomach. Children often become victims of this poisonous plant; they are attracted by unusual berries, somewhat similar to blueberries or blueberries.

Signs of poisoning, depending on the part eaten, will include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions or cardiac arrest.

If you suspect poisoning with Crow's Eye, you must do an urgent gastric lavage. It would also be a good idea to take Regidron.

Let's look at 2 more poisonous plants, common throughout Russia.

Lily of the valley

It is unlikely that anyone needs a visual description of the poisonous lily of the valley plant. Many have heard about dangerous properties this beautiful and beloved plant, but, nevertheless, few people take this information seriously. But in vain! Lily of the valley has very strong chemical properties, it is often used in minimal doses in pharmacology, and in general, it is well established as an assistant in the fight against heart disease.

However, it is worth remembering that this plant is extremely poisonous and dangerous if used rashly on its own. Two or three berries eaten by a child while walking in the forest can lead to rapid death!

If the skin is pale, heart rhythm disturbances, weakness and nausea are present, it is necessary to urgently induce vomiting and then take sorbents.

Wolf's Bast

Poisoning by the poisonous plant Wolf's Bast or Wolf's Berry, as it is also called, is extremely dangerous. Outwardly it looks like a shrub with glossy leaves and clusters of bright red fleshy berries that attract the eye. Despite its beauty, this plant is almost never used as decorative landscaping. Wolfberry contains a set of toxic substances. Just the smell of a flowering plant can give you a headache, and if you eat more than 5 berries, death is extremely likely.

High salivation, burns, indigestion, burning in the eyes and mouth, bloody stomach discharge - this is an incomplete list of symptoms of poisoning by this most dangerous plant. If the victim can still be saved, he is nevertheless guaranteed serious lifelong consequences associated with poor heart function.

Not only harm, but also benefit

Perhaps, reading this article, many will wonder why, in fact, we need poisonous plants?

There are no unnecessary links in nature: it is unique and thoughtful. The toxic properties of certain plant species are a disadvantage for humans, while for the plants themselves it is the ability to evolve. Growth, survival, ability to adapt to changing conditions - many plants owe all this to their toxicity.

In addition, over time, man eventually learned to use harmful properties many herbs, flowers and berries for your own good. An example of this is the huge number of medications created on the basis of poisonous plants.

Seed propagation in the garden strawberries we are used to, unfortunately, leads to the appearance of less productive plants and weaker bushes. But another type of these sweet berries, alpine strawberries, can be successfully grown from seeds. Let's learn about the main advantages and disadvantages of this crop, consider the main varieties and features of agricultural technology. The information presented in this article will help you decide whether it is worth allocating a place for it in the berry garden.

Often, when we see a beautiful flower, we instinctively bend down to smell its fragrance. All fragrant flowers can be divided into two large groups: nocturnal (pollinated by moths) and daytime, whose pollinators are mainly bees. Both groups of plants are important for the florist and designer, because we often walk around the garden during the day and relax in our favorite corners when evening comes. We are never overwhelmed by the scent of our favorite fragrant flowers.

Many gardeners consider pumpkin to be the queen of garden beds. And not only because of its size, variety of shapes and colors, but also for its excellent taste, healthy qualities and rich harvest. Pumpkin contains a large amount of carotene, iron, various vitamins and minerals. Thanks to the possibility of long-term storage, this vegetable supports our health all year round. If you decide to plant a pumpkin on your plot, you will be interested in learning how to get the largest possible harvest.

Scotch eggs - incredibly delicious! Try to prepare this dish at home, there is nothing difficult in preparation. Scotch eggs are a hard-boiled egg wrapped in minced meat, breaded in flour, egg and breadcrumbs and deep-fried. For frying, you will need a frying pan with a high side, and if you have a deep fryer, then that’s just great - even less hassle. You will also need oil for frying so as not to smoke in the kitchen. Choose farm eggs for this recipe.

One of the most amazing large-flowered tubs of Dominican Cubanola fully justifies its status as a tropical miracle. Warm-loving, slow-growing, with huge and in many ways unique bells of flowers, Cubanola is a fragrant star with a complex character. It requires special conditions in the rooms. But for those who are looking for exclusive plants for their interior, a better (and more chocolatey) candidate for the role of indoor giant cannot be found.

Chickpea curry with meat is a hearty hot dish for lunch or dinner, inspired by Indian cuisine. This curry is quick to prepare but requires some prep. The chickpeas must first be soaked in large quantities cold water for several hours, preferably overnight, the water can be changed several times. It is also better to leave the meat in the marinade overnight so that it turns out juicy and tender. Then you should boil the chickpeas until tender and then prepare the curry according to the recipe.

Rhubarb cannot be found in every garden plot. It's a pity. This plant is a storehouse of vitamins and can be widely used in cooking. What is not prepared from rhubarb: soups and cabbage soup, salads, delicious jam, kvass, compotes and juices, candied fruits and marmalade, and even wine. But that's not all! The large green or red rosette of leaves of the plant, reminiscent of burdock, acts as a beautiful background for annuals. It is not surprising that rhubarb can also be seen in flower beds.

Today, the trend is to experiment with unusual combinations and non-standard colors in the garden. For example, plants with black inflorescences have become very fashionable. All black flowers are original and specific, and it is important for them to be able to select suitable partners and location. Therefore, this article will not only introduce you to an assortment of plants with slate-black inflorescences, but will also teach you the intricacies of using such mystical plants in garden design.

3 delicious sandwiches - a cucumber sandwich, a chicken sandwich, a cabbage and meat sandwich - a great idea for a quick snack or for an outdoor picnic. Only fresh vegetables, juicy chicken and cream cheese and some seasonings. There are no onions in these sandwiches; if you wish, you can add onions marinated in balsamic vinegar to any of the sandwiches; this will not spoil the taste. Having quickly prepared snacks, all that remains is to pack a picnic basket and head to the nearest green lawn.

Depending on the varietal group, the age of seedlings suitable for planting in open ground, is: for early tomatoes - 45-50 days, average ripening periods - 55-60 and late ones - at least 70 days. When planting tomato seedlings at a younger age, the period of its adaptation to new conditions is significantly extended. But success in obtaining a high-quality tomato harvest also depends on carefully following the basic rules for planting seedlings in open ground.

Unpretentious plants“background” sansevieria does not seem boring to those who value minimalism. They are better suited than other indoor decorative foliage stars for collections that require minimal care. Stable decorativeness and extreme hardiness in only one species of sansevieria are also combined with compactness and very rapid growth - rosette sansevieria Hana. The squat rosettes of their tough leaves create striking clusters and patterns.

One of the brightest months of the garden calendar pleasantly surprises with the balanced distribution of days favorable and unfavorable for working with plants. lunar calendar. Vegetable gardening in June can be done throughout the entire month, while the unfavorable periods are very short and still allow you to do useful work. There will be optimal days for sowing and planting, for pruning, for a pond, and even for construction work.

Meat with mushrooms in a frying pan is an inexpensive hot dish that is suitable for a regular lunch and for a holiday menu. Pork will cook quickly, veal and chicken too, so this is the preferred meat for the recipe. Mushrooms - fresh champignons, in my opinion, the best choice for homemade stew. Forest gold - boletus mushrooms, boletus and other delicacies is best prepared for the winter. Ideal as a side dish boiled rice or mashed potatoes.

I love ornamental shrubs, especially unpretentious and with interesting, non-trivial coloring of foliage. I have various Japanese spirea, Thunberg barberries, black elderberry... And there is one special shrub, which I will talk about in this article - viburnum leaf. To fulfill my dream of a low-maintenance garden, it is perhaps ideal. At the same time, it is capable of greatly diversifying the picture in the garden, from spring to autumn.

Mushrooms are a nutritious and very tasty delicacy. But many of them are poisonous. You should always remember this when going on a “silent hunt”. In this article we will talk in detail about one of the most insidious and Where does the toadstool grow? How does she look? And how not to confuse it with other edible mushrooms? About everything - in the review.

Pale grebe: description and photo of the mushroom

This is one of the most dangerous mushrooms on the planet. Just one piece eaten can be enough to cause death. According to historians, it was the toadstool that poisoned the Roman Emperor Claudius and Pope Clement VII. What’s worst is that poisoning can occur even with the slightest contact of the poison of this mushroom with the mucous membranes of a person.

The mushroom pale toadstool (in Latin: Amanita phalloides) is the closest relative of the fly agaric. People often call it that: “white fly agaric.” The poison of the mushroom is incredibly strong in its effects. And if the well-known red fly agaric can be eaten after a certain heat treatment, then it is simply impossible to extract all the toxins from the toadstool.

The toadstool is a classic cap mushroom, ovoid in shape when young. The diameter of the cap is from 5 to 15 centimeters in diameter, the height of the stem is 8-16 cm. The mushroom received its name from the pale tint of the fruiting body. Its closest “relatives” are the spring fly agaric and the white toadstool.

What does a mushroom look like?

Mushroom pickers have no room for error. Therefore, they must learn to completely distinguish the pale grebe from any other species. Let's find out in more detail what this mushroom looks like.

The fruiting body of the toadstool is entirely covered with a thin film. The flesh of the mushroom is white, fleshy, it practically does not change its color when damaged. The color of the cap varies from light gray to olive or slightly greenish. However, with age, it always acquires a grayish tint. The leg has a standard cylindrical shape with a slight thickening at the base. In its upper part there is a characteristic leathery ring.

In adulthood, the pale grebe can exude a sweetish and not very pleasant odor. IN fruiting body The mushroom contains various poisons. They are divided into two groups: aggressive, but slowly acting amatoxins and fast-acting, but less toxic phallotoxins.

Distribution of the fungus in nature

In what places does the toadstool grow? Where should you expect to encounter this insidious mushroom?

Toadstools are found quite often in nature. The main area of ​​their distribution is the temperate zone of Eurasia (in particular, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine) and North America. They grow both singly and in groups. The growing season begins around the end of August and lasts until the beginning of November (until the first serious frost).

The pallid grebe prefers mixed or light deciduous forests, ideally broad-leaved ones. He likes to “settle” under beeches, hornbeams, oaks, lindens, and hazel bushes. Often found in city parks and squares. Sometimes lives in birch groves. But meeting her in a pine forest is very difficult. The grebe does not tolerate sandy substrates, preferring fertile humus soils.

Edible toadstool look-alikes

Almost every edible mushroom in nature has its own poisonous counterpart. It is important for both experienced and novice mushroom pickers to thoroughly understand this truth. The list of mushrooms similar to toadstool is quite long. So, in middle lane In Russia it is most often confused with forest champignon, green russula, floaters and greenfinch.

Extremely important! You cannot cut the mushroom directly under the cap. After all, in this way you can not notice the membranous ring, which is characteristic of the pale toadstool. By the way, this is how pieces of poisonous mushrooms most often end up in mushroom pickers’ baskets.

Another helpful advice: after returning from a quiet hunt, sort the collected “harvest”. Should be laid out in even rows individual species mushrooms: chanterelles, boletus, russula, etc. Thanks to this, you can easily identify the poisonous double - it will immediately catch your eye. And if you find a toadstool, you will have to get rid of the entire basket, since the poison may remain on other edible mushrooms.

One more extreme important rule: If you have even the slightest doubt about a particular mushroom, do not cut it at all.

Toadstool and champignon: how to distinguish?

How to distinguish a forest champignon from a toadstool? This task is not an easy one. Therefore, many mushroom pickers do not risk picking champignons in the forest. The table below will help you understand this issue.

Young individuals of these two mushrooms are incredibly difficult to distinguish from each other. Only mushroom pickers with extensive experience in quiet hunting can do this. For comparison: the photo below shows young toadstool mushrooms (on the left) and wild champignon mushrooms (on the right).

Russula and toadstool: how to distinguish?

Experienced mushroom pickers strongly advise collecting only pink, orange or red russula. So you definitely won't go wrong. The following table will help you distinguish green russula from poisonous toadstool.

For comparison: the photo below shows a toadstool (left) and (right).

Toadstool poisoning: main symptoms

This mushroom, perhaps, can safely be called the most poisonous on the planet. To put a healthy and healthy person into a hospital bed strong man, just thirty grams of toadstool is enough. Signs of poisoning by this mushroom (main):

• Intense profuse vomiting.
• Intestinal colic.
• Pain and spasms in muscles.
• Intense thirst.
• Weak thready pulse.
• Decreased arterial pressure.
• Bloody diarrhea.

Poisoning with toadstool is almost always accompanied by an enlarged liver, as well as a sharp decrease in blood glucose levels. The latent period lasts on average about 12 hours.

The main danger of toadstool poisoning lies in the so-called period of imaginary recovery, which begins on the third day. At this time the patient feels much better, but in fact the process of destruction internal organs(liver and kidney) continues. Death usually occurs within ten days from the moment of poisoning. At the same time, the likelihood of death increases significantly in people with a weak cardiovascular system.

What to do if you are poisoned by toadstool?

If treatment was started no later than 36 hours from the moment of poisoning, then the chances of a successful recovery are quite high. At the slightest suspicion of poisoning with toadstool, you should immediately take only three actions:

• Call ambulance.
• Empty the stomach by inducing vomiting.
• Accept Activated carbon(dose: 1 gram per kilogram of weight).

• Take something that increases blood circulation.
• Drink alcoholic drinks.
• Do even minimal physical activity.

The treatment process is quite difficult, since there is no suitable antidote as such. For toadstool poisoning, doctors use benzyl penicillin, as well as lipoic acid. At the same time, forced diuresis, hemosorption are carried out, a glucose drip is placed, and heart medications are prescribed. The overall result of treatment will depend on the dose of poison entering the blood and general condition body.

5 common myths about the “white fly agaric”

There are many myths and false information circulating in society about the pale grebe. Knowing the true information will help you protect yourself. So let's list them:

• Myth 1: Toadstool tastes bad. Actually this is not true! It is quite tender, tasty and absolutely not bitter. It is almost impossible to distinguish a poisonous mushroom by taste.
• Myth 2: “white fly agaric” smells bad. In reality, the smell is one of the similarities between toadstool and champignon. Both mushrooms exude an innocent, rather pleasant aroma.
• Myth 3: small insects and worms do not eat this mushroom. In fact, some of them are not at all averse to eating this unsafe delicacy.
• Myth 4: Toadstool can be detoxified by boiling it in salt water and vinegar. Absolute lie!
• Myth 5: Garlic cloves will turn brown if you throw them into a pan in which toadstools are cooked. Not true again. Garlic changes its color under the influence of tyrosinase, an enzyme that can be found in any mushroom, both edible and poisonous.

The benefits of “white fly agaric”

Strange as it may sound, toadstool can also bring some benefits to humans. Thus, in very small (homeopathic) doses it serves as an antidote in case of poisoning by others. poisonous mushrooms. Toadstool is also used to control certain pests and insects. IN folk medicine Tinctures from this mushroom are used as a cure for cancer. Subcutaneous injections with microdoses of the toxin are practiced to combat wrinkles.

However, the danger of the toadstool is many times greater than the potential benefit it can bring to humans. Therefore, it is better to remember what this mushroom looks like and stay as far away from it in the forest as possible.