TORONTO

A “destroying angel” mushroom has put one person in hospital and has prompted a warning from Toronto Public Health.

Officials said a woman was hospitalized after eating wild mushrooms identified as “Amanita” (bisporigera species). That mushroom can be fatal and is sometimes called the “destroying angel.”

“Toronto Public Health wants to remind the public not to pick and eat mushrooms found growing in the wild,” Dr. Howard Shapiro, TPH’s associate medical officer of health, said in a press release. “Some varieties may look similar to mushrooms that are safe to consume, but are in fact poisonous.”

The most common symptoms associated with eating a poisonous mushroom include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea but health officials said “more severe” symptoms including sweating, convulsions, hallucinations and coma can develop.

“Anyone with health concerns related to eating mushrooms should call the Ontario Poison Centre,” public health advised.