You live in southern California and you found mushrooms growing outside your backyard near garage a damp area is it safe to eat them?

No, it is not safe to eat wild mushrooms found in your backyard or any unfamiliar location. While some mushrooms are safe to eat, many others are poisonous and can cause severe illness or even death. Identifying poisonous mushrooms is challenging and requires extensive training and knowledge. Therefore, it's best to avoid collecting or consuming mushrooms found in the wild unless you are a certified expert.

Additionally, mushrooms that grow in urban or suburban areas may be contaminated with various pollutants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, or other chemicals, making them even less safe to consume.

Here are a few reasons why eating wild mushrooms can be risky:

- Toxicity: Many wild mushrooms contain toxins that can cause a variety of adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal problems, vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage, kidney failure, and neurological symptoms. Some toxins can be fatal, even in small amounts.

- Misidentification: It is challenging to accurately identify mushrooms without proper training and knowledge. Even experienced mushroom foragers can sometimes make mistakes, leading to accidental poisoning.

- Environmental contaminants: Wild mushrooms can absorb toxins and pollutants from the environment, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. These contaminants can pose health risks when consumed.

- Allergic reactions: Some individuals may have allergic reactions to certain types of mushrooms, even if they are not inherently toxic. These reactions can range from mild skin irritation to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

- Lack of documentation: Many wild mushroom species are not well-documented or studied. This means there may be limited information available on their edibility and potential risks, making it difficult to determine their safety.

If you are interested in eating wild mushrooms, it is highly recommended to learn from a qualified expert, such as a mycologist or experienced mushroom forager. They can teach you how to safely identify and collect edible mushrooms and avoid poisonous species.