Cap
 |
5 - 20 cm diameter; often brownish-pink but
very variable; retaining irregularly distributed, off-white or grey
fragments of the universal veil; initially domed, but flattening at
maturity and occasionally becoming slightly funnel-shaped. When damaged,
the gills and cap flesh turn deep pink or dull red.
In very wet weather the veil fragments may get washed from the cap,
but the reddening of damaged areas is always an aid to identification. |
Gills
 |
White, free, crowded.
In mature specimens the gills are often marked with pink or rusty red
spots. When handled, the gills very quickly blush pink or dull red. |
Stipe
 |
Stem height 7 - 15 cm; diameter
1 - 2 cm; white above the stem ring but reddish-brown, often with deep
pink flecks, below the stem ring; the stem flesh bruises pink
The stem becomes hollow with age and bears a hanging stem ring that
is quite thin and fragile, usually grooved, and often ragged.
The volva is visible on immature specimens but as the fungus matures
the volval remains disappear from the stem leaving a swollen base
without any distinct basal rings. |
Spore print |
White. |
Odour/taste |
Not distinctive. |
Habitat |
Mycorhizal with hardwood and softwood trees;
particularly abundant in pine forests. |
Season |
June to October |
Occurrence |
Very common. |
Similar species |
- Amanita caesarea (Caesar's Mushroom) is rarely if ever
found except in southern Europe; its cap is brilliant orange with a
striated margin, and the stipe is yellow.
- The caps of some samples of Amanita muscaria are
orange-brown, but the veil fragments remain white.
- Amanita pantherina has a brown cap with white veil
fragments; its flesh does not blush pink when damaged.
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