LES CHAMPIGNONS MORTELS D'EUROPE

This work introduces readers to most of the poisonous mushrooms likely to be encountered in Europe. Some of them are very familiar: the dreadful Death cap (Amanita phalloides), responsible for about 90 percent of the fatalities resulting from mushroom consumption, the Deadly webcap (Cortinarius rubellus), livid entoloma (Entoloma sinuatum), and the world's most famous mushroom, the "red-and-white polka-dotted" Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria). Along with these tragic “chart toppers,” readers will discover other toxic species familiar mainly to mycologists, such as the Circular Cudonia (Cudonia circinans), the Dune Death Cap (Amanita dunensis) or the filamentous Tricholome (Tricholoma filamentosum).

Opposite each photo plate, readers are given a concise, yet specific, description of each specie, along with details on its habitat and the likelihood of confusing it with other, reputedly edible, ones. They will also find a highly detailed “Toxicity” column (which includes the latest mycotoxicological research findings) describing in detail the associated symptomatology, as well as treatments.

This is the very first work – at least in Europe – exclusively devoted to poisonous mushrooms. The pharmacist’s ideal guide, it will be an equally valuable tool for the “average hunter.” For, despite ever-expanding efforts to inform the public and prevent mishaps, the number of mushroom poisonings is not declining.

Illustrator and mycologist Xavier Carteret is an expert on the genus Cortinarius. He is also a historian and philosopher in the natural science field (he holds a PhD in History from the École des hautes études en sciences sociales).