East Bay hikers warned to beware deadly mushrooms

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East Bay Parks officials are warning hikers to look out for toxic wild mushrooms.

Two of the most toxic mushrooms in the world - the Western Destroying Angel and Death Cap - grow in the East Bay and ingesting them can be fatal.

East Bay Regional Park District naturalist Trent Pearce says the toxic mushrooms are mainly associated with oak trees and can be found growing anywhere oak roots are present.

The Death Cap is medium to large and usually has a greenish-gray cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem and a white sac at the bottom of the stem. The Western Destroying Angel is also medium to large and usually has a white cap, white gills, a white ring circling the stem that can go away with time and a white sac at its base.

They can appear in East Bay parks in starting late winter and through the spring.

Symptoms of mushroom poisoning begin as severe stomach distress and can progress to liver and kidney failure if a person doesn't get treatment immediately. It may take half a day for symptoms to appear.

East Bay Park officials say pet owners are urged to get in touch with a veterinarian right away if they think their dog consumed a toxic mushroom.

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