South Australians planning to spend time outdoors over the Easter weekend are being reminded of the risks associated with foraging wild mushrooms.

With a cooler, wetter summer and more rain expected soon, South Australia will start to see the ideal growing conditions for wild mushrooms in areas such as parks, back yards in mulch or compost, roadsides, farm paddocks, nature reserves and forests across the state.

This includes reports of the Death Cap mushrooms – Amanita Phalloides – which are extremely poisonous and must not be eaten.

Fatal Death cap mushrooms are extremely difficult to distinguish from other wild mushrooms and can resemble edible species.

Wild mushrooms can pop up quickly and may look inviting to touch and eat but ingesting them can cause serious illness or death.

This is why it is important to not eat wild mushrooms, to keep a close eye on curious children, as well as pets especially when outside.

Symptoms of mushroom poisoning include severe stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, which may take several hours to appear and can last up to three days.

Poisoning from several varieties including death-cap mushrooms may have delayed onset of symptoms – up to 24 hours – and can cause life-threatening liver damage.

For more information on mushroom poisoning, visit the SA Health website.

Public Health Physician Dr Kate Murton said around half the calls made to the Poisons Information Centre in recent years related to mushroom poisoning involving children under five.

“Our strong advice is do not eat wild mushrooms – it’s not worth the risk.

If you suspect you or someone you know has eaten a wild mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to appear.

“Contact the Poisons Information Centre on 131 126 for advice and always call triple zero (000) in an emergency,” she said.

“If you suspect your pet has eaten wild mushrooms, seek veterinary attention immediately.”