Matsutake Look-alikes: Toxic Tricholomas and Amanita smithiana
These look-alikes can be deadly. Get the identification right before you eat anything. Matsutake has a spicy cinnamon-and-socks aroma and a cottony ring. The toxic look-alikes include Amanita smithiana, which causes kidney failure, and poisonous tricholomas such as the tigertop. Trust the distinctive smell and rule these out before harvesting.
Initially hemispherical and then flattening out with a broad low umbo; a whitish background patterned with concentric rings of dark brownish or grey scales that appear as elongated spots, larger towards the centre and smaller and less prominent towards the rim; 5 to 15cm across. First Nature ↗
Eating it causes highly unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms of nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Wikipedia ↗
Amanita smithiana, also known as Smith's amanita, is a species of agaric found on soil in coniferous (Abies, Tsuga, Pseudotsuga) and broadleaved (Alnus, Quercus) woodland in the Pacific Northwest of North America. Wikipedia ↗
It causes initial gastrointestinal symptoms that manifest 1 to 12 hours after eating the mushrooms, followed by acute nephritis after a delay of 2–6 days. Wikipedia ↗
Edibles people confuse with these
If you are foraging any of these, rule out the look-alikes above every time.
The notes above are an educational starting point, not a substitute for a field guide or an experienced forager. If you are not completely certain, do not eat it.
