Dr. Gilad Ostrovsky, KKL-JNF Chief Forester: "We're in the time of the season when the first rains are coming, and many people enjoy going out to pick mushrooms in the forest. In recent years, the important role of mushrooms in the forest and their contribution to the forest system and its stability has been is being revealed. Be in no doubt: we want to warn the public against mushroom picking by people with no close familiarity and experience, since many of the mushrooms are poisonous, and may lead to dangerous consequences, some are even dangerous to touch. KKL-JNF takes part in the soon-to-be-published Israeli Mushroom Guide, which will contain rules for safe picking, and I am confident that using it will help us avoid unfortunate cases as the one we saw yesterday."
Giant navelwort, a poisonous mushroom. Photograph: Amir Hermes, KKL-JNF