Scientists Uncover the Rapid Spread of the ‘Death Cap’ Mushroom Across North America
The death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) is responsible for 90% of mushroom-related fatalities worldwide.
The death cap mushroom has been spreading rapidly in North America and causing numerous fatalities.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison conducted a study and found the death cap mushroom can reproduce both sexually and asexually.
The death cap mushrooms in the US have been reproducing this way for at least 17 years and possibly up to 30 years.
The diverse reproductive methods of the death cap are contributing to its rapid spread.
The death cap's ability to reproduce asexually could be a major factor in its success.
Ingesting just half a cap of the death cap mushroom can be deadly and symptoms can appear within 6 hours.
The spread of death caps poses a serious threat to human and animal health.
The study provides new information on the spread of the death cap in North America, which could help in developing strategies to control the risk.
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