Gastrointestinal Irritants
 

Gastrointestinal irritants make up the largest and most common group of mushroom toxins.  Phenol-smelling Agaricus species and Chlorophyllum molybdites closely resemble edible species and consequently are the usually perpetrators of gastrointestinal poisoning (Arora, 896).

 

Victims usually experience nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea sometime between 20 minutes and 4 hours after ingestion.  Symptoms usually persist until the irritant is expelled from the body.  In rare cases, hospitalization may be required (Arora, 896).

 

Works Cited

 

Arora, David.  Mushrooms Demystified.  2nd ed.  Berkley, Ten Speed Press, 1986.