Poisonous mushrooms popping up around Melbourne after cool, rainy weather

Wet and cool conditions have led to an explosion in mushrooms, prompting health authorities to issue a warning about deadly variants growing throughout Melbourne.

Death cap and yellow staining mushrooms are both found across the city - and can easily be mistaken for edible varieties.

As such, Victoria Health said wild mushrooms should not be eaten.

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"We're urging Victorians not to pick and consume wild mushrooms – doing so can have serious consequences for your health," Victoria's Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Looker said.

"It is very difficult to distinguish between poisonous and edible wild mushrooms, so people are advised to only consume commercially bought mushrooms."

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The comments come after a spell of wet and frosty conditions.

Both species are exotic, with death cap considered the more dangerous of the two.

Symptoms of death cap mushroom poisoning include stomach pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

These symptoms can appear within hours of consumption.

Even if symptoms subside, patients are not out of the woods as "serious organ failure can occur 24-48 hours after ingestion that may result in death".

The yellow staining mushroom is behind the most fungi-related poisonings in the state as they look similar to supermarket mushrooms.

Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

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They are found in lawns and gardens, whereas the death cap is found near oak trees.

"If you suspect you may have consumed a poisonous mushroom, seek medical attention immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear," Looker said.

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