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The destroying angel is a type of highly poisonous, pure white mushroom belonging to the genus Amanita. These fungi are among the deadliest in the world and can be mistaken for edible varieties like button mushrooms or meadow mushrooms.123

Key characteristics of destroying angels include:
* Appearance: Pure white fruiting bodies.2
* Toxins: They contain potent toxins, such as amatoxins, which are heat-stable and can cause severe damage to the liver and kidneys.34
* Symptoms: Ingestion can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, delirium, convulsions, liver and kidney failure, and potentially death. Symptoms may not appear for 5 to 24 hours after consumption.3

It is crucial to avoid consuming wild mushrooms unless positively identified as edible by an expert.4

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