Deadly mushrooms make early appearance in Victoria, spark health warning
VICTORIA — A type of potentially deadly mushroom is making an early appearance around Victoria, prompting a warning from the local health authority.
Island Health says death cap mushrooms, which usually appear in the fall, have already been spotted in several areas on southern Vancouver Island.
Officials say intensive lawn watering may be linked to the early fruiting of the small mushrooms with white gills and a smooth yellow, green or white cap.
Death caps are not native to Canada and grow from the roots of imported trees such as beech, chestnut and English oak, but have recently been found among native Garry oaks.