Mushrooms, including toxic varieties, proliferate during this time of the year.

Celia Jiménez here, thinking about the one time I’ve gone mushroom hunting years ago. 

My experience was positive, but that wasn’t the case this year for several people in Monterey County and across California. 

As reported in this week’s edition of the Weekly by staff writer Pam Marino, the California Department of Public Health has reported more than 20 cases of mushroom poisoning since Thanksgiving week, at least 13 of those were treated in Monterey County at Salinas Valley Health and Natividad after consuming what were likely death cap mushrooms.

“Because the death cap can easily be mistaken for edible, safe mushrooms, we advise the public not to forage for wild mushrooms at all this high-risk season,” said Dr. Erica Pan, CDPH director and state public health officer.

What’s scary about picking the wrong mushrooms is that it can have tragic and long-lasting consequences.

“It’s expected when we see that many cases that someone will require a liver transplant, and it would not be unexpected to see a death,” Dr. Kimberly Moulton, an emergency physician at Salinas Valley Heath, told Marino.

I recommend reading Marino’s article to learn more.

There are many different types of mushrooms popping up this time of year. Since health officials have advised us not to pick them up, consider some alternatives, such as photographing them or documenting how many types of mushrooms you find on your walks.