Key facts
- Contains amatoxins, which damage the liver. Cooking, drying or freezing does not destroy them.
- Symptoms can appear 6–24 hours after eating, followed by an apparent improvement, which is a warning sign and not a recovery.
- Found in the UK from late summer to autumn, often near oak and beech.
What it looks like
A greenish-olive to yellowish cap, white gills, a ring on the stem and a sac-like volva at the base, often hidden below ground. Young specimens can be mistaken for edible species such as puffballs or field mushrooms.
See the identification safety page before foraging.
Why it is dangerous
If you think someone has eaten it, call NHS 111, or 999 if they are very unwell. What to do right now →