Provides a detailed explanation of the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides), one of the deadliest organisms known to humans. It describes how this seemingly ordinary fungus is responsible for around 90% of mushroom-related deaths worldwide, primarily due to the presence of alpha-amanitin, a toxin that causes irreversible liver failure after a deceptively delayed onset of symptoms. The discussion outlines the mushroom’s European origins and explains how it spread across the globe through transplanted tree roots, making it a danger far beyond its native range. It also highlights the fatal resemblance of death caps to edible mushrooms, a factor that contributes to many accidental poisonings. Treatment options are extremely limited, with liver transplants often being the only effective remedy.
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