Don’t be misled!: Fundación Fungi calls for caution regarding consumption of the mushroom *Lepista nuda*

In Chile, there are more than 30 types of edible mushrooms. The central region has a great diversity of species, with the following being characteristic:**Lepistas**, easily recognisable by their purple colour. However, more recently, cases have been reported of people who, after eating this mushroom, experience stomach upset and sweating. The latest case of poisoning was reported to CITUC during the autumn of 2022 in Viña del Mar.

Intrigued by this situation, the Fundación Fungi team began to study the…“Lepistas”in Chile. The most significant finding was some specimens collected by Daniela Torres, a mycologist and Head of Programmes and the Office in Chile ofFungi FoundationIn collaboration with the mycologist Bryn Dentinger of the University of Utah in the United States and the mycologist Giuliana Furci, founder and director of Fundación Fungi, they genetically analysed the collections andThey came to the conclusion that the samples correspond to another species ofLepistanot identified so far.

This could indicate that what appears to be a*Lepista nuda*It may not be a single species, but rather a group or set of species that are very similar in appearance and are all commonly called*Lepista nuda*The most important feature for the consumer is that, at first glance, they are identical to each other, with no noticeable difference in their shape, colour, or size. However, they may contain different concentrations of natural toxins (mycotoxins) that are harmful to people.

“To everyone who collects and consumes wild mushrooms, we ask that you take care when it comes to *Lepista nuda*, since both species—the edible one and the toxic one—are virtually identical. The only way to tell them apart is with a microscope or a molecular analysis; therefore, we recommend not taking any risks.” emphasises Giuliana Furci, Executive Director of Fundación Fungi and adviser to the Centro de Información Toxicológica de la Universidad Católica (CITUC) for the past 20 years.

Fungi are organisms belonging to the Fungi kingdom, and they spend most of their time as mycelium among plant debris in the soil and inside trees. When humidity and temperature are suitable, what are commonly called *setas* or *callampas* appear, responsible for producing spores so that the fungus can reproduce.

Scientists estimate that we only know between 5% and 10% of fungal diversity, so new species are constantly being discovered. Fundación Fungi is the first NGO in the world dedicated exclusively to the study and protection of the fungi kingdom, through its programmes of education, expeditions, ancestors and conservation.