# Poison fire coral (Trichoderma cornu-damae)

**Trichoderma cornu-damae* (formerly *Podostroma*)*

**Known today as.** A red, finger-like fungus of Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

Kind: Fungus  
Poisoning: Mycotoxins of the moulds (https://thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/poisons/mycotoxin)  
Deadly: yes

> **Deadly.** Deadly; the juice irritates the skin.

## What was it used for?

None; mistaken for medicinal “caterpillar” fungi and steeped in liquor, with fatal results.

## What does modern science say?

Its trichothecene toxins cause organ failure, hair loss, and shedding skin; deaths have been recorded in Japan and Korea.

## Pharmacognosy and toxicology

- **satratoxin H**: a trichothecene
- **roridin E**: 
- **verrucarin J**: 

**Mechanism.** The trichothecenes block protein synthesis in every dividing cell: the marrow, the gut lining, and the skin, which it burns on touch.

**Dose.** A piece the size of a fingertip has killed; it is the only fungus known to poison through the skin.

**Standing.** None; found in Australia for the first time in 2019.

## What lore surrounds it?

One of the few fungi said to be dangerous even to handle.

## Sources

- Benjamin, D. R. (1995). *Mushrooms: Poisons and Panaceas*.
- Japanese public-health warnings on *kaentake*.
- Saikawa, Y., et al. (2001). “Toxic principles of a poisonous mushroom *Podostroma cornu-damae*.” *Tetrahedron* 57.

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*Poison fire coral.* In *Materia Medica*, edited by B. C. P. Statema. Version 1, revised 2026-09-25. The Thinking Press. https://thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/poison-fire-coral

Historical description, not medical advice.