Deadly Mushrooms Found Growing On UW Campus

SEATTLE, WA — Highly toxic mushrooms were found on the University of Washington campus this week, prompting the college to send a warning to students. According to the UW, a university gardener found 40 "death cap" mushrooms growing on the east side of Benson Hall and confirmed their identity with a campus mycologist. Although they look dangerously similar to edible mushrooms, death caps contain extremely poisonous amanita toxins. Eating one can lead to kidney and liver failure or even death.

Symptoms can take anywhere from six to 24 hours to arrive. School staff urges anyone who recently ate a foraged mushroom and feels ill to contact a doctor immediately. Those who see mushrooms they suspect are toxic should report the location to UW Facilities. UW says death caps are invasive, but they can often be found this time of year growing near edible species.

Mushroom season coincides with fall in the Pacific Northwest, and the Washington Poison Center warns against eating any mushroom without being 100 percent certain of what it is. While many varieties of mushrooms are not harmful, every year brings several cases of mushroom poisoning in Washington. According to the poison center, some kinds of toxic mushrooms have no antidote.

The poison center can answer questions about foraging via their helpline at 1-800-222-1222.