SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Officials in the Bay Area are warning residents of poisonous mushrooms that have sprouted due to the recent rain.
The East Bay Regional Park District is telling people to be extra vigilant when roaming the outdoors this fall, especially with dogs.
This region is home to two of the world’s most deadly mushrooms, the aptly named Death Cap and Western Destroying Angel, according to park officials.
“Both of these species contain amatoxins, a group of molecules that inhibit cellular metabolism in many animals,” the district said in a statement. “In mammals, the liver and kidneys are typically the fist organs affected after ingestion.”
The district is reminding visitors that it’s illegal to pick mushrooms or any plants found in the parks.