Sarah Brown
Red mushrooms with white spots, commonly known as fly agaric or fly amanita, are indeed real. Scientifically, they are called Amanita muscaria and are one of the most recognisable species of fungus. They are large white-gilled, white-spotted mushrooms with a bright red cap covered with distinctive white warts. They are often found in woodlands, parks, and heaths with scattered trees, typically growing beneath birch trees or pines and spruces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Fly agaric, Fly Amanita |
| Scientific Name | Amanita muscaria |
| Colour | Red cap with white spots or warts |
| Habitat | Woodland, parks, heaths, temperate and boreal forests in the Northern Hemisphere |
| Toxicity | Poisonous, potentially fatal, hallucinogenic |
| Cultural Significance | Featured in fairy tales, Christmas celebrations, ancient rituals |
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What You'll Learn
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric
The name "fly agaric" comes from the mushroom's traditional use as an insecticide, specifically for flies. The practice of sprinkling it into milk was traced by the 16th-century Flemish botanist Carolus Clusius to Frankfurt, Germany. Its scientific name, "Amanita muscaria," was given in 1783 by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, and the full name was sanctioned in 1821 by the "father of mycology," Swedish naturalist Elias Magnus Fries.
Fly agaric is infamous for its psychoactive and hallucinogenic properties, but fatal poisonings are extremely rare. It contains psychoactive compounds like muscimol and ibotenic acid, which can cause poisoning, especially in children and those seeking its hallucinogenic effects. However, it is also considered edible if properly detoxified. People in North America often associate it with the mushroom from Alice in Wonderland, and it has been linked to Santa Claus and Christian Christmas celebrations due to its red and white colours.
There are various stories and legends about fly agaric mushrooms, including their use by Viking berserkers before battle and their consumption by sorcerers in Inari, a Parachi-speaking group in Afghanistan, and two Subarctic Native American tribes. They were also central to many northern European and Asian peoples' winter solstice celebrations and ceremonies, with shamans wearing special red and white garments to collect the mushrooms.
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Toxicity and hallucinogenic effects
Red mushrooms with white spots, commonly known as fly agaric or fly amanita, are indeed real. They are scientifically referred to as Amanita muscaria, a species of basidiomycete fungus of the genus Amanita. They are characterised by a bright red cap adorned with distinctive white warts or spots and white gills, making them highly recognisable.
Amanita muscaria mushrooms are known to exhibit toxicity and hallucinogenic properties due to the presence of psychoactive compounds. While fatal poisonings are extremely rare, these mushrooms can cause poisoning, especially in children and individuals seeking their hallucinogenic effects. The psychoactive compounds responsible for these effects include muscimol and ibotenic acid. Ibotenic acid is water-soluble, and boiling the mushrooms can help reduce toxicity by removing this compound into the discarded water. However, it is important to note that drying the mushrooms may increase their potency as ibotenic acid converts to the more potent muscimol.
The hallucinogenic properties of Amanita muscaria have been recognised for centuries, with reports of medicinal and recreational use among various cultural groups. For example, Finnish historian T. I. Itkonen mentions the consumption of these mushrooms by the Sámi peoples, where sorcerers in Inari would ingest them. Additionally, there are unconfirmed reports of religious use among certain Subarctic Native American tribes. The mushrooms have also been associated with the Soma drink of ancient Vedic culture, where the urine of individuals who consumed the mushrooms was believed to contain hallucinogenic properties.
While Amanita muscaria mushrooms are considered toxic and hallucinogenic, some sources suggest that proper detoxification methods can render them edible. Food historian William Rubel and mycologist David Arora advocate for the inclusion of detoxification techniques in field guides to ensure safe consumption. They argue that the widespread classification of these mushrooms as poisonous may be influenced by cultural biases, similar to other popular edible mushroom species that require proper cooking methods to become non-toxic.
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Cultural significance and use
The red mushroom with white spots, or fly agaric (Amanita muscaria), has been used by numerous cultures throughout history and continues to be significant in modern times.
Siberia and Northern Europe
In Siberia, the use of fly agaric by shamans predates the crossing of the Bering Straits into North America. A myth from the Koryak tribe tells of a creature called the Big Raven, who ate the mushroom and began to feel euphoric and started dancing. The raven then had a vision of a whale swimming in the ocean, so he lifted a bag containing a whale and carried it out to sea. Following this experience, the raven instructed his people to eat fly agaric mushrooms to have visions. Siberian shamans traditionally dressed in red robes with white spots in honour of the mushrooms they harvested for religious rituals.
In the days leading up to the winter solstice, fly agaric mushrooms can be found under trees, particularly firs and spruces. Shamans in Central Asia wore special red garments with white fur trim when collecting the mushrooms in a sack. They would then return to their village and enter the yurt through the smoke hole, believed to be a gateway to the spiritual world. During the ceremony, the shaman would consume and share the sacred mushrooms with the participants, who would experience visions.
The Finnish historian T. I. Itkonen mentions that the mushroom was once used among the Sámi peoples. Sorcerers in Inari would consume fly agarics with seven spots.
Indo-Aryan Culture
Amanita muscaria has also been associated with the sacred plant, soma, used in religious rituals in the Indo-Aryan culture of what is now Punjab in India. Gordon Wasson's book, "Soma: Divine Mushroom of Immortality", claims that the use of soma dates back to the Aryan migrants from the north, as suggested by the adjective hári, meaning "dazzling" or "flaming", which could describe the colour red. However, this interpretation has been contested by other scholars.
North America
In North America, fly agaric has been connected to the mushroom from Alice in Wonderland and Christian Christmas celebrations. It has been suggested that the colours of the mushroom inspired Santa Claus's red and white suit, and that the tradition of decorating Christmas trees may be linked to ancient winter solstice rituals involving fly agaric.
There are also unconfirmed reports of religious use among two Subarctic Native American tribes, as well as a Euro-American account of initiation into traditional Tlicho use of Amanita muscaria.
Europe
Fly agaric was common on Christmas cards in Victorian and Edwardian times as a symbol of good luck. It was also featured in Gordon Wasson's research and study of the mushroom in his book, "Soma: Divine Mushroom of Immortality".
Medicinal and Recreational Use
In 1979, Said Gholam Mochtar and Hartmut Geerken published an article claiming to have discovered a tradition of medicinal and recreational use of Amanita muscaria among a Parachi-speaking group in Afghanistan.
Today, some people continue to consume fly agaric for its psychoactive effects, either by eating the mushrooms directly or brewing them into a tea. However, it is important to note that Amanita muscaria is potentially poisonous and can cause poisoning, especially in those seeking its hallucinogenic effects.
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Similar-looking species
The red mushroom with white spots, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita, is a distinctive and recognisable species of fungus. However, it can be mistaken for other similar-looking species, especially in the Americas. Here are some examples:
- Armillaria cf. mellea: This species has been confused with fly agaric in the United States and Canada.
- A. basii: This edible Mexican species resembles the European A. caesarea, which has an entirely orange to red cap without the white warts typical of fly agaric. However, the white warts on fly agaric can sometimes wash away during heavy rain, making it look more like A. caesarea.
- A. caesarea: This species is distinguished by its bright yellow stem, gills, and ring, which contrast with the red to orange cap. The volva of A. caesarea is a distinct white bag, not broken into scales like the fly agaric.
- Vermilion Grisette (Amanita xanthocephala): In Australia, the introduced fly agaric may be mistaken for this native species, which is associated with eucalypts.
- Blusher (Amanita rubescens): Found in the UK, this species has a similar shape to fly agaric but with a pale, reddish-brown cap and cream spots.
- Liberty Cap Mushrooms (Psilocybe spp.): In North America, liberty caps became the preferred psychoactive fungi over fly agaric due to their milder effects and more intense experiences.
While these species may share some similarities with the iconic red and white fly agaric, it is important to remember that mushroom identification can be complex, and accurate identification is crucial to avoid potential poisoning.
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How to identify them
Red mushrooms with white spots, commonly known as fly agaric or fly amanita, are indeed real. They are one of the most recognisable fungi in the world. They are generally large, conspicuous mushrooms, often found in groups with basidiocarps in all stages of development.
- They always grow directly from the ground.
- They have a brilliant red cap generally covered with warts that are the remnants of the universal veil that covers the young mushrooms as they grow. These warts are typically visible but can be washed away by rain.
- The caps are usually around 8-20 centimetres in diameter, although larger specimens have been found.
- The gills are white to cream and are located under the cap. They are closely packed and not joined to the stem.
- The stem is white with a brittle texture. The base has a bulbous volva (cup-like base from which the stem emerges) with shaggy rings of scales around it and a large skirt.
- The spores are white and oval.
- They can grow to 20 cm across and 30 cm tall and have a savoury smell.
- They are native to the UK and are found in woodland and heathland on light soils among birch, pine or spruce.
- They are also found in temperate and boreal forests in the Northern Hemisphere, forming symbiotic relationships with various trees.
- They are potentially poisonous and can cause poisoning, especially in children and those seeking its hallucinogenic effects, due to psychoactive compounds like muscimol and ibotenic acid. However, fatal poisonings are extremely rare.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) is a real mushroom. It is a large white-gilled, white-spotted mushroom featuring a bright red cap covered with distinctive white warts.
Yes, Amanita muscaria is toxic to humans and can cause severe stomach upset and hallucinations. However, it is not usually fatal.
Amanita muscaria grows in woodlands, parks, and heaths with scattered trees, typically under birch, pine, or spruce trees. It is native to the UK and is also found in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Yes, Amanita muscaria has been associated with various cultural traditions and beliefs. It has been used in religious rituals by Subarctic Native American tribes, Indo-Aryan cultures, and Siberian shamans. It has also been linked to Christmas celebrations and is believed to have inspired Santa Claus's red-and-white suit.
