The Evolution of Amatoxins

Dozens of people die each year from the Amunita poisoning in Europe, where the Deathcap is native. It's becoming even more common because of immigrants foraging for food on their journeys across the continent. In 2015, more than 40 refugees were hospitalized in Germany after eating amatoxin-containing mushrooms. Unlike other less lethal mushroom poisons, amatoxins don't typically produce symptoms until 8 to 24 hours after ingestion. Women are more likely to suffer fatal consequences than men and the young and very old are even more susceptible.