Mushroom Poisoning in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Mushrooms are a type of fungus, and West Michigan’s mix of wooded areas, riverbanks, and damp lawns around Grand Rapids provides an ideal environment for many wild mushrooms to grow. While some wild mushrooms are edible, others can cause serious illness or death.

Because of our wet springs, humid summers, and leaf-covered yards in the fall, mushroom poisoning is a real risk for families and pet owners in Grand Rapids and across Kent County.

Never Rely on Home Tests for Wild Mushrooms

There is no safe home test that can tell you whether a wild mushroom is edible or poisonous. Myths such as:

  • “If animals eat it, it’s safe for humans”
  • “If it peels easily, it’s edible”
  • “If it turns silver black when cooked, it’s poisonous”

are not reliable and can be deadly.

The only safe way to know if a wild mushroom is edible is to have it identified by a trained mushroom expert (mycologist).

In Grand Rapids and West Michigan:

  • Do not eat wild mushrooms you find in your yard, parks, or on trails along the Grand River or in nearby forests.
  • Only eat mushrooms purchased from a reputable source such as:
    • Grocery stores and supermarkets
    • Licensed farmers’ markets
    • Trusted local suppliers

If you are unsure whether a mushroom is safe to eat, do not eat it.

What To Do If You Suspect Mushroom Poisoning in Grand Rapids

If you think you, your child, or someone else has eaten a wild mushroom:

  1. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.

  2. Call Poison Control right away:
    Poison Help Line (U.S.): 1-800-222-1222 (24/7, nationwide)

  3. If the person:

    • Has collapsed
    • Is not breathing or is struggling to breathe
    • Is having a seizure
    • Seems very confused or not waking up

    Call 911 immediately.

In Grand Rapids, emergency care for mushroom poisoning is available at:

  • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital – Downtown Grand Rapids
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health)
  • Mercy Health facilities in the region

The Poison Control specialist will ask:

  • Age and weight of the person
  • When the mushroom was eaten
  • What symptoms are present
  • If possible, a photo or sample of the mushroom

If it is safe to do so, collect:

  • A whole mushroom (including stem and base), or
  • Clear photos from different angles and where it was growing (lawn, wood, tree, mulch, etc.)

Bring this with you to the emergency department if advised.

Main Effects of Poisonous Mushrooms

Poisonous mushrooms can cause different types of illness. The three major patterns are:

  1. Hallucinations and mental effects
  2. Gastrointestinal illness (stomach and bowel symptoms)
  3. Severe organ damage (especially liver and kidneys), which can be fatal

1. Hallucinogenic “Magic” Mushrooms

Some mushrooms contain psilocybin and other toxins that affect the brain. These are often called “magic mushrooms.”

Effects may include:

  • Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
  • Confusion
  • Agitation or anxiety
  • Muscle weakness
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting

Even though some people intentionally use these mushrooms, they are illegal and can be dangerous. Misidentification is common, and some toxic mushrooms look similar to hallucinogenic species.

2. Gastrointestinal (GI) Illness from Mushrooms

Many poisonous mushrooms primarily affect the stomach and intestines.

Common symptoms:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Sweating
  • Weakness or drowsiness

Symptoms can start:

  • Within 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating for some species
  • 6 to 24 hours after eating for others

In most mild GI cases, symptoms improve with supportive care, but some mushrooms that start with GI upset can later cause life-threatening organ damage.

3. Liver and Kidney Failure – Potentially Fatal Poisoning

Some mushrooms contain toxins that destroy the liver and kidneys, even if the person initially feels better.

Key points:

  • Symptoms may start 6–24 hours after ingestion with:
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Stomach cramps
    • Watery diarrhea
  • After a short “improvement period,” the person can suddenly get much worse.
  • The toxins can cause liver failure, kidney failure, and death.
  • One mushroom can contain enough poison to kill an average adult.
  • Cooking, peeling, drying, or soaking does not make these mushrooms safe.

About 9 out of 10 mushroom-related deaths worldwide are due to the Death Cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides).

Poisonous Mushrooms of Concern in Michigan

Michigan’s climate and wooded landscapes support many mushroom species. In and around Grand Rapids, the following are of particular concern.

Yellow-Staining Mushroom (Agaricus xanthodermus)

The Yellow-staining mushroom is one of the most commonly eaten poisonous mushrooms in Michigan. It often grows in:

  • Lawns and gardens in Grand Rapids neighborhoods
  • Parks and grassy areas
  • “Fairy rings” or clusters in yards

It can look very similar to common edible mushrooms, which is why it is often mistaken and eaten.

Typical characteristics:

  • Grows on the ground, often in clusters or fairy rings
  • Cap size: 50–200 mm in diameter
  • Cap color: usually white, turning brownish with age
  • Young caps may look somewhat square or boxy
  • When the cap or stem is damaged or cut, it stains yellow, which later fades to a dirty brown
  • Often has a strong chemical odor, described like:
    • Disinfectant
    • Iodine
    • Kerosene
      The smell can become stronger when cooked.

Symptoms of Yellow-Staining Mushroom Poisoning:

Usually begin within 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating and may include:

  • Abdominal cramps
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Sweating
  • Drowsiness
  • Headache (less common)

While this mushroom is rarely fatal, it can cause significant dehydration and illness, especially in young children and older adults.

Death Cap Mushroom (Amanita phalloides)

The Death Cap is one of the most dangerous mushrooms in the world and is potentially fatal if eaten.

Typical characteristics:

  • Often grows under oak trees and sometimes other hardwoods
  • Cap size: 40–160 mm in diameter
  • Cap color: ranges from pale yellow to green to olive-brown
  • Gills on the underside of the cap are white
  • The base of the stem has a distinctive membranous “cup” (volva)

Onset and course of symptoms:

  • Symptoms usually start 6–24 hours after ingestion:
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Severe stomach cramps
    • Profuse watery diarrhea
  • After this, there may be a brief period where the person feels better.
  • Then, liver and kidney failure can develop.
  • Death can occur within 48 hours or a few days if not treated aggressively.

Important facts:

  • One mushroom can be enough to kill an adult.
  • Cooking, freezing, drying, or soaking does not destroy the toxin.
  • Other mushrooms with similar effects include some species of Galerina, Lepiota, and Conocybe.

If Death Cap ingestion is suspected in Grand Rapids, the person should be taken immediately to a hospital such as Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) should be contacted.

Protecting Children in Grand Rapids from Mushroom Poisoning

Most young children who eat poisonous mushrooms find them in their own yard or nearby parks. Children under 5 are naturally curious and often put things in their mouths.

To reduce the risk:

  • Inspect your yard regularly, especially:
    • In spring and fall
    • After rainy periods
    • During warm, damp weather
  • Remove any mushrooms you find:
    • Wear gloves if possible
    • Place mushrooms in a sealed bag and dispose of them in the trash
  • Teach children:
    • “Never eat anything you find outside unless a grown-up says it’s okay.”
  • Be extra careful in:
    • Grand Rapids parks
    • Wooded trails
    • School playgrounds
    • Daycare yards

If you suspect your child has eaten a wild mushroom:

  • Call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222
  • If your child is very sleepy, having trouble breathing, having a seizure, or has collapsed, call 911.

Protecting Pets in Grand Rapids from Mushroom Poisoning

Dogs are more likely than cats to eat mushrooms, especially when walking in:

  • Neighborhood lawns
  • Parks and trails along the Grand River
  • Wooded areas around Grand Rapids and Kent County

Prevention tips:

  • Check your yard regularly and remove mushrooms before your dog can eat them.
  • Keep dogs on a leash in areas where mushrooms are visible.
  • Do not let pets chew on or play with mushrooms.

Pets can develop a range of illnesses from wild mushrooms, from mild GI upset to life-threatening liver or kidney failure.

If your pet has eaten a wild mushroom:

  • Call your local veterinarian or the Animal Poisons Helpline: (616) 555-0400
  • If your pet is collapsing, having seizures, or having trouble breathing, go to the nearest emergency vet clinic immediately.

Local Grand Rapids & Michigan Resources for Mushroom Safety

While you should never rely solely on online images or apps to identify wild mushrooms, local and state resources can help you learn more about mushroom safety:

  • Kent County Health Department – Public health information and poisoning prevention
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources – Seasonal safety tips, including fall and spring yard hazards
  • Michigan State University Extension – Educational information about mushrooms and plants (not for emergency identification)
  • Local mycology clubs or nature groups may offer educational walks and talks, but this is not a substitute for Poison Control in an emergency.

For detailed information on mushroom identification, some botanical gardens and mycological societies may offer fungi identification services (often for a fee), but these are educational rather than emergency services.

When and Where to Seek Medical Help in Grand Rapids

In an emergency, always call 911.

Seek urgent medical care if:

  • You suspect someone has eaten a wild mushroom
  • The person has:
    • Severe vomiting or diarrhea
    • Confusion or hallucinations
    • Trouble breathing
    • Seizures
    • Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
    • Dark urine or very little urine

Local options include:

  • Your GP / primary care doctor – for mild concerns or follow-up
  • Emergency departments at:
    • Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital (downtown Grand Rapids)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health)
    • Other nearby hospitals and urgent care centers

Always also contact:

  • Poison Help Line (U.S.): 1-800-222-1222 (24/7)
  • Animal Poisons Helpline: (616) 555-0400 – or your local veterinarian for suspected pet poisoning

Key Points About Mushroom Poisoning in Grand Rapids

  • Wild mushrooms are common in Grand Rapids yards, parks, and wooded areas, especially after rain and during mild, damp weather.
  • There is no reliable home test to tell edible from poisonous mushrooms.
  • Only eat mushrooms from supermarkets, trusted grocers, or reputable markets.
  • Poisonous mushrooms can cause:
    • Hallucinations and confusion
    • Gastrointestinal illness (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps)
    • Severe liver and kidney damage, which can be fatal
  • Symptoms may appear within 30 minutes or be delayed up to 24 hours or more.
  • Death Cap and Yellow-staining mushrooms are particularly dangerous; even one mushroom can be deadly in some cases.
  • Children and pets in Grand Rapids are at high risk because they explore and may eat mushrooms in yards and parks.
  • If mushroom poisoning is suspected:
    • Call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222
    • In severe cases, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Being cautious with wild mushrooms in Grand Rapids and across West Michigan can prevent serious illness and save lives.