With the abundance of toxic mushrooms sprouting across Victoria, residents are being warned not to pick wild mushrooms this autumn.
Botanic Gardens Victoria scientist Dr Tom May says thunderstorms in December brought a "flush and a burst" of death caps ahead of the mushroom season in autumn and winter.
Death caps have a greenish-brown tinge on top but the toxic fungi can be distinguished from field mushrooms by their white underside.
"(Death caps) causes more fatalities worldwide than any other mushroom" Dr May told reporters on Thursday.
The abundance of death caps growing across Victoria prompted health authorities to issue a warning earlier than usual this year.
"Anyone who becomes ill after eating mushrooms should seek urgent medical advice and, if possible, take samples of the whole mushroom for identification," Dr May warned.
