Species library · Mushrooms

Yellow Shield: poisonous

Pluteus chrysophaeus

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Yellow Shield is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. Have every wild mushroom checked by a qualified mushroom expert before eating it.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from January to December in the northern hemisphere. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Yellow Shield (Pluteus chrysophaeus)

Photo: (c) Nina Filippova, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nina Filippova · iNaturalist

When Yellow Shield appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Look up Yellow Shield in the app

In the Forage app, Yellow Shield has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Yellow Shield: common questions

Is Yellow Shield poisonous?

Yes. Yellow Shield is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Yellow Shield appear?

Yellow Shield usually appears from January to December in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

What can Yellow Shield be confused with?

Toxic look-alikes: Common Rustgill, Lion Shield, Goldleaf Shield. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by a qualified mushroom expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits