The deadly fungus seems to be spreading in Finland. The species is rare, but it has also been found in the Helsinki metropolitan area.
Kavala fly sponge is one of the most toxic fungi in the world. These mushrooms are depicted in France, south of Paris. Wikimedia Commons / “Strobilomyces” (CC BY-SA)
One of the world’s most dangerous mushrooms, the caval fly sponge also occurs in Finland.
– It’s a very dangerous fungus, says a biologist, a fungus writer Lasse Kosonen For Iltalehti.
-The Kavala fly sponge has been in Finland since the 19th century. Perhaps now a number of sponge sites have been found lately, so it can be said that it is spreading. In addition, it is possible that the study has been refined, says Kosonen.
The sponge has not had many places to grow in Finland. The observations of the sponge are very local.
– In Finland, it has been found in the Åland Islands, Southwest Archipelago, Turku, Helsinki, Espoo and the Lohja area. The northernmost finding of the Kavala fly fungus is from Southwest Finland Laitila.
In the world’s most dangerous
What about a poisonous fungus?
Eating a 50 gram amount of fungi already results in death when untreated. Its poisons are cellular toxins that destroy the cells of the liver and kidney. When untreated, poisoning leads to death. The poison cannot be removed by any constant, for example by cooking or baking.
– It is the world’s most dangerous fungus, actually the world’s most dangerous mushroom, Kosonen explains.
There has been no problem with poisoning in Finland because the fungus is so rare. But in the world, 90 % of serious fungal poisoning is caused by Kavala.
– The reason is to mix it with other, edible fungi, such as green fragments or mushrooms. Or to the delicacy of southern Europe with the emperor’s sponge, which is a food sponge.
Recently, Iltalehti also reported on an Australian woman who murdered her lunch guest on Wellington steak. He had raised the food with the caval fixtures. Four three died and four were hospitalized for a long time. The chef was passed behind the bars.
Mushrooms were first told Finnish nature.