Amanita gemmata - Jewelled Amanita

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Agaricales

Amanita gemmata is indeed a gem of a mushroom, although it is known to be poisonous - causing symptoms similar to those associated with the Fly Agaric, Amanita muscaria. Commonly referred to as the Jewelled Amanita, this rare find in Britain and Ireland is common in central and southern Europe.

Amanita gemmata is mycorrhizal with several kinds of conifers – pines in particular – and less commonly with hardwoods.

Watermarked preview (new window) of Photolibrary image FN307f_amanita_gemmata.jpg (Large file)...

Watermarked preview (new window) of Photolibrary image FN308f_amanita_gemmata.jpg (Large file)...

Identification guide

	Cap This lovely little mushroom of sandy soil nearly always has veil patches adhering to the pale ochre cap, which expands until flat or occasionally slightly depressed in the centre. Pale ochre with darker centre; retaining white veil fragments mainly in centre; convex, flattening; 5 to 9cm across.
	Gills White; adnexed; crowded.
	Stem White, tinted ochre; 7 to 10cm long, 1 to 1.5cm dia.; short-lived ring falls away to leave an indistinct mark low down on stem; short volva around slightly swollen stem base.
Spore print	White.
Odour/taste	Not significant
Habitat	Mycorhizal with conifers, particularly pines, and occasionally hardwood trees. Most common in sandy soil in coastal forests on stable dunes.
Season	July to late November.
Occurrence	Rare in Britain and Ireland; very common in southern Europe, especially the west coast of France and northern Portugal.
Similar species	Amanita citrina is usually larger and paler with white or citrine cap patches and a prominent stem ring.