The practice of foraging for wild mushrooms has been experiencing a surge in popularity in Newfoundland and Labrador.

However, experts are cautioning about the inherent risks associated with consuming potentially poisonous mushrooms.

Andrus Voitk, author of A Little Illustrated Book of Common Mushrooms of Newfoundland and Labrador, says the region’s diverse ecosystems offer a range of mushroom species, both edible and toxic.

He says that the province hosts numerous poisonous mushrooms, with two specific types that can prove lethal. Voitk highlights that most mushrooms in the Amanitas group contain a lethal toxin, along with a couple of Cortinarius species. Furthermore, several mushrooms, while not deadly, can cause severe illness.

Contrary to popular belief, Voitk dispels the notion of easy tricks to identify toxic mushrooms. He emphasizes that anyone considering mushroom foraging should do their research so they can distinguish between safe and unsafe species.

He says you need to be able to identify what you should not eat.

“Every mushroom is edible once, but you may not be around the second time so you better know” says Voitk.