Infamous. That might be the best description for Amanita phalloides. The highly toxic mushroom has been feared for centuries, earning it a spot in mystery novels (the mushroom did it) and history books (Roman Emperor Claudius was supposedly poisoned with it). Despite its deadly history, Amanita phalloides remains the cause of 90 per cent of the world’s mushroom-related deaths.
This tricky fungus — it can be confused with the edible field mushroom or the straw mushroom — has fascinated David Perrin for 17 years. The University of British Columbia chemist hopes that the mushroom known as the ‘death cap’ could help save lives as a cancer-fighting drug.
