22 March 2013

Beware the death caps

| johnboy
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death cap

Territory and Municipal Services are putting the word out about the dreaded death cap mushroom returning to our fields and fens.

The ACT Government is reminding Canberrans to avoid eating wild mushrooms found growing in the ACT, as autumn is when death cap mushrooms start to grow in many parks and nature strips throughout Canberra. A number of improvements have been made to existing death cap mushroom signage at identified death cap mushrooms sites, especially in the inner north and inner south of Canberra.

“Following the Coroner’s reports into the deaths of two Canberrans who ingested death cap mushrooms last year, the ACT Government has improved death cap mushroom signage to include a warning in Chinese, as well as the international symbol for poison,” said Fleur Flanery, Director, City Services.

“The new death cap mushroom warning signs include statements in Chinese traditional and Chinese simplified, which warn that death cap mushrooms are poisonous and can kill if ingested.

“The ACT Government has replaced warning signs at a number of identified death cap mushroom sites in the inner north and inner south of Canberra. New signs have also been placed at recently identified sites in the suburbs of Braddon and Turner.

“Death cap mushrooms are sometimes confused with straw mushrooms which are grown and eaten throughout large parts of Asia. While both species have a cup like volva at the base of the stem, the deadly death cap mushroom can be distinguished by its white gills.

“To be safe, people should avoid wild mushrooms, especially those with white gills.

death cap signs

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It translates to ‘Wild mushrooms can kill you’

harvyk1 said :

devils_advocate said :

Possible dumb question:

Instead of posting warning signs at known deathcap sites, can’t they just remove/kill/poison the growth?

The problem is that new ones could grow in their place…

You guys referring to Chinese people?

devils_advocate said :

Possible dumb question:

Instead of posting warning signs at known deathcap sites, can’t they just remove/kill/poison the growth?

The problem is that new ones could grow in their place…

devils_advocate12:43 pm 22 Mar 13

Possible dumb question:

Instead of posting warning signs at known deathcap sites, can’t they just remove/kill/poison the growth?

Ian said :

If this is typical ACT Government it probably says something like “delicious with fish” in the Chinese writing.

On close inspection it appears on 1 character changes, so its probably….
Delicious with fish
Delicious with chicken

If this is typical ACT Government it probably says something like “delicious with fish” in the Chinese writing.

I hope those orphaned kids are doing OK.

I can’t be 100% sure, but it seems the Chinese writing has a lot more more sterner warning than the English…

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