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Amanita citrina

 
Amanita citrina, often referred to as the False Death Cap, is an edible fungus; however, care is necessary because it is easily confused with deadly poisonous Amanita species.

Identification guide

Cap

5 - 12 cm diameter; usually lemon-yellow with large veil fragments that are brilliant white, as shown in the picture on the left.

An all-white variant is also quite common (Amanita citrina var. alba). 

Initially rounded, the cap usually flattens at maturity.

The var. alba variety generally has a larger cap (up to 12 cm diameter compared with 5 to 10 cm for the more common lemon variety) and its stem is also white rather than lemon-yellow. Some experts consider this to be a separate species rather than just a variety.

Gills

White, free, crowded.

Stipe

White; typically 5 - 8 cm long and rising from a very large, white volva. There is a gutter-like ridge at the top of the volva.

The large stem-ring hangs down slightly; it usually remains intact through to maturity.

Spore print

White.

Odour/taste

When cut or bruised, smelling like new potatoes or cut radish.

Habitat

Mycorhizal with hardwood and softwood trees but particularly common under beech trees.

Season

August to November

Occurrence

Frequent.

Similar species

  1. Amanita virosa (Destroying Angel) rarely retains veil fragments on its cap through to maturity, the cap remains somewhat domed, its stem-ring is usually high up and not very substantial, and it does not have a sharp smell.
  2. Amanita phalloides (Death Cap) rarely retains veil fragments on its cap, and it develops a sickly-sweet odour as it matures.
First Nature Multimedia Guide to Fungi
There is a lot more about this species and hundreds of other beautiful and fascinating mushrooms and toadstools on our CD-ROM for PCs with Internet Explorer. Details...

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