#10

Related to the Destroying Angels is the similarly appealing
sounding death cap. It is this mushroom that has been respon-
sible the majority of human deaths both accidental and on pur-
pose. The death cap has a long history and is associated with
the deaths of a number of notable victims including the Roman
Emperor Claudius, a pope and a Russian tsar.

The deathcap is native to Europe where it is found in forests,
commonly under oak trees. It is similar to several edible mush-
rooms, most notably the paddy straw mushroom which is eat-
en throughout Asia. For this reason it has caught out several
unwary immigrants from Asian countries where it does not
grow.

The primary toxic agent is α-amanitin (amatoxin). As men-
tioned this causes irreversible damage to the liver and kidneys.
It is estimated that 30 grams (1oz) or approx. half a mushroom
is enough to kill an adult. It seems that many of the reported
poisoning incidents involve whole families; in 2006 a Polish
family of three ate death caps. One died and the two survivors
required liver transplants. In such cases it seems that victims
have a 50% chance of survival as was the case with four people
celebrating New Years in Australia and a more recent case in-
volving a couple in the UK.