Brown roll-rim (Paxillus involutus)

What does brown roll-rim look like?

Common and deadly poisonous, brown roll-rim fungus can look similar to edible field mushrooms but is brownish-yellow and has a rim that rolls under to protect the gills – hence its name.

Cap: a flat or funnel-shaped brown cap with the texture of fine suede when young, becoming smooth and shiny as it ages, and sticky when wet.

Gills/pores: pale brownish-yellow, bruising wine-red.

Stipe (stalk): short and cream-coloured, darker below.

Not to be confused with: many other brown-coloured mushrooms in woods, including penny bun (Boletus edulis), which is edible and has pores under its cap instead of gills.

Uses of brown roll-rim fungus

Brown roll-rim is deadly poisonous. People used to think it was edible if properly cooked; however, we now know that its deadly toxins work by stimulating an autoimmune reaction. This causes the body to attack its own red blood cells, often resulting in death.