The name is a bit of a give away with this one. This small, tasty
looking mushroom and many of the Lepiota family, contain the
deadly amatoxin which is capable of destroying the liver. It is
this toxin that is responsible for 80-90% of all mushroom poi-
soning deaths. The fatality rate from ingesting amatoxins is
around 50% if untreated and still 10% with treatment. The ini-
tial symptoms are gastrointestinal-intestinal distress but death
may take some time and result from liver failure.

It is found in conifer forests throughout Europe and North
America and has been responsible for several deaths over the
years.

1Other members of the family include the equally delicious
sounding deadly parasol.