Entire family hospitalized after eating a meal of wild ‘vomiter’ mushrooms they picked outside their home
- Eating chlorophyllum molybdites is the classic rookie error among foragers. It is the most common poisoned mushroom in the US
- This Virginia family found out the hard way
A family in northern Virginia fell ill and needed hospital attention after eating a meal containing wild mushrooms picked near their apartment complex.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that they experienced vomiting and stomach pains a few hours after eating the mushrooms.
Poison control and crews from the fire department scoured around the Annandale apartment complex, finding mushrooms in a courtyard in a bid to identify them.
The family, who was not identified, were left vomiting with stomach pains after eating these mushrooms they picked nearby (pictured)
For confirmation, they sent pictures of the mushrooms to family members as they were being treated at a hospital.
The mushrooms are known as ‘Chlorophyllum molybdites’ or green spored Lepiota – also called the ‘vomiter.’
Fairfax County Fire officials say the mushrooms are a severe gastrointestinal irritant when eaten, but do not cause liver failure or death.
Eating chlorophyllum molybdites, also known as ‘false parasol’, is the classic rookie error among foragers.
It is the most common poisoned mushroom in North America.
They have white caps that can measure up to 40cm in diameter.