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Amanita phalloides |
This largish fungus, known infamously as the Death Cap, accounts for more than 90% of fungus-related poisoning deaths in Europe. Amanita phalloides is quite a common species. Identification guide |
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Animal feeding behaviour has generally been
used as the first indication of the edibility of plants and fungi. This
can be a treacherous guide, however, as rabbits and squirrels appear to
be unaffected by Amanita phalloides and many other fungi
that can seriously harm or even kill people.
The Death Cap, Amanita phalloides, was known by the ancient Greeks and Romans to be a deadly poison. It has been a favourite of poisoners down the centuries, and even nowadays it is still the cause of tragic and painful deaths every year. |
Colours vary from sample to sample, but the
most common form of this fungus has a pale yellow-green or olive cap.
There is, however, an all-white form of Amanita phalloides that
is very similar in appearance to the Destroying Angel, Amanita
virosa. Young Death Cap specimens are sometimes collected in
mistake for edible Agaricus species, with disastrous
consequences.
Identification guide |
Cap |
5 - 15 cm dia; almost white when immature, then yellow, bronze or olive, darker in the centre (occasionally deep grass green shading towards black at the centre); soon losing all fragments of the universal veil; initially egg-shaped, but flattening at maturity. The cap, which is not striate at the margin, tends to crack at the edges when very old. As they decay, Amanita phalloides fungi give off an unpleasant smell. |
Gills |
Free, broad and crowded.
Initially the gills are pure white, but they turn cream as the fruit body ages. |
Stipe |
Stem height 7 - 15 cm; off-white, with zig-zag mottling somewhat paler than the cap colour. Amanita phalloides usually retain their fragile, pendant ring through to maturity. The swollen base is surrounded by a large white, sack-like volva that is often tinged green inside.
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Spore print |
White |
Odour/taste |
Not distinctive when young, but old specimens have an unpleasant sickly sweet smell. Do not attempt to taste this deadly poisonous species. |
Habitat |
Mycorhizal with hardwood, especially oaks, and occasionally with softwood trees; most common at low altitude. |
Season |
July to November. |
Occurrence |
Frequent. |
Similar species |
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