Sulphur Tuft
Distribution
North America, British Isles, central and northern Europe, parts of Asia; extremely common and widespread
Habitat
Saprobic on dead wood, stumps, and buried roots of both hardwoods and conifers. Grows in dense clusters on and around tree stumps.
Season
Nearly year-round in mild climates; peaks spring through late autumn until first hard frosts
Toxin Type
Fasciculols, F) - triterpenoid compounds
Symptoms
Severe abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, visual distortion, temporary paralysis in severe cases. Onset within a few hours. Can cause severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Very bitter taste provides a natural warning.
Hallucinogenic Effects
Notable visual distortion reported in poisoning cases - victims experience disturbed vision and visual anomalies. In severe cases, brief temporary paralysis has been documented. These neurological symptoms are unusual for a primarily GI-toxic mushroom and suggest neurotoxic properties beyond simple GI irritation.