Trichoderma cornu-damae (Poison fire coral) — Poisonous Mushroom

Korean name: 붉은사슴뿔버섯

An extremely poisonous fungus with red, antler-shaped fruiting bodies. Even touching it can irritate the skin, and eating it can be fatal.

Key facts

• Category: Poisonous mushroom
• Toxicity: Poisonous — do not eat. Keep children and pets away.
• Native to: Korea, Japan, East Asia
• Traits: Extremely toxic, Contact toxin, Red, Antler-shaped, Mycotoxin
• Also known as: Podostroma cornu-damae, Poison fire coral

Toxicity, identification & first aid

• Toxic symptoms: Contains trichothecene mycotoxins. Eating it causes nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and neurological symptoms; touching it causes dermatitis. Severe cases lead to multiple organ failure.
• Appearance: 3–10 cm tall, red to orange-red, coral- or antler-shaped. Irritates the skin on contact. Typically bright scarlet.
• Where found: On dead broadleaf wood or buried wood, mainly in lowland forests.
• Season: Summer to autumn (July–October)
• Look-alike warning: Reishi (brown, shelf-shaped) and lion's mane (white, shaggy).
• Emergency action: Call emergency services (119 in Korea). Never touch it with bare hands; if you do, wash immediately with soap. Go to the ER.

Common questions

Can you eat Trichoderma cornu-damae?

No. Trichoderma cornu-damae is poisonous. Contains trichothecene mycotoxins. Eating it causes nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and neurological symptoms; touching it causes dermatitis. Severe cases lead to multiple organ failure.

What does Trichoderma cornu-damae look like and where does it grow?

3–10 cm tall, red to orange-red, coral- or antler-shaped. Irritates the skin on contact. Typically bright scarlet. On dead broadleaf wood or buried wood, mainly in lowland forests. Summer to autumn (July–October)

What can Trichoderma cornu-damae be mistaken for?

Reishi (brown, shelf-shaped) and lion's mane (white, shaggy).

What should you do if someone eats Trichoderma cornu-damae?

Call emergency services (119 in Korea). Never touch it with bare hands; if you do, wash immediately with soap. Go to the ER.