Amanita phalloides

25 August 2008 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin

Species

Amanita phalloides

Common Name

Death Cap

Cap

Convex, then flattened, smooth, radially fibrous, yellow green to olive green, to about 12 cm across

Gills

Crowded, free, white

Stem

+/- equal, ring fleshy and pendulous, broader at the base, and growing from a distinct fleshy sack, or volva, whitish

Smell

Unpleasant, sweet

Taste

Do not taste

Season

Late summer to autumn

Distribution

Infrequent

Habitat

In deciduous woods, associated with Oak and Beech

Spore Print

White

Microscopic Features

Spores ellipsoidal, smooth (8-11) x (7-8) µm²

Edibility

Deadly poisonous. This is one of the most deadly of all fungi and a single cap could kill several adults. As with many fungi, the death is slow and painful, and is due to organ failure

Notes

Unfortunately the close resemblance of this fungus to the Paddy Straw Mushroom, Volvariella volvacea, has caused numerous deaths among unwary Asian immigrants to North America

Additional Photographs

30 August 2008 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin