Emily Johnson
Amanita mushrooms are among the most ubiquitous and deadly, causing 90% of deaths by mushroom poisoning. The vast majority of these fatalities are from the destroying angel or death cap, which can look deceptively appetising. The Amanita genus also includes some of the most beautiful and delicious mushrooms, such as the orange-red Caesar's mushroom, which was prized by Roman emperors. Identifying an Amanita involves looking at a constellation of features, including the volva (sack at the stem base), the annulus (ring), the skirt, the colour of the gills, and the smell.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cap | Dry, not slimy. May have pieces of universal veil attached as warts or irregular patches. |
| Stem | Most have a membranous ring. Remains of the universal veil may be visible at the base, often as a bag-like 'Volvo' or as a saucer-like gutter or spiral rings at the top of a swollen stem base. |
| Microscopic characteristics | Either amyloid or inamyloid (but never dextrinoid) spores, and divergent gill tissue. |
| Smell | One or two species have a distinctive smell, especially when mature. |
| Habitat | Amanitas are often found near living trees. |
| Volva | Most species have a sack or collar-like volva at the base of the stalk. Remains may be visible on the cap as scales or a calcite build-up. |
| Annulus | Amanitas have a ring or skirt called the annulus on the upper stalk. |
| Spore colour | All amanitas have white spores. |
| Gills | Amanitas have white to off-white or yellow gills. |
| Taste | Do not taste Amanitas as some are deadly poisonous. |
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What You'll Learn
Check the smell: crush gills or store a piece of the cap in a sealed box
Smell is an important factor in identifying amanita mushrooms. While not all amanitas are deadly, some contain the powerful toxin amanitin, which is thought to be the most lethal of all mushroom toxins. So, it is important to be able to identify them correctly.
One way to identify amanita mushrooms is by their smell. Some have a distinct, ammonia-like odour, especially when they become fully mature. To check the smell, crush the gills between clean fingers, which will make the smell more obvious. Alternatively, store a piece of the cap in a sealed plastic box for a few minutes. When you open the box, the odour should be evident.
Amanita mushrooms grow on soil, not directly on wood, and always with mycorrhizal associations with trees. This means they will be found in or beside woods or hedgerows. They have pale, nearly always white, gills that terminate before reaching the stem. They leave white spore prints. The cap of an amanita is easily separated from its stem and feels dry rather than slimy.
Amanita mushrooms include the Death Cap, the Destroying Angel, the Gemmed Amanita, the Panther Cap, the Spring Amanita, and the Fly Amanita or toadstool. The Caesar's mushroom is another type of amanita, but it is delicious and edible.
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Identify the egg sack-like structure (volva)
The volva is a cup-like structure at the base of a mushroom, which is a remnant of the universal veil. It is a macrofeature that is important in wild mushroom identification because it is an easily observed, taxonomically significant feature that frequently signifies a member of Amanitaceae. The volva is found mainly in some species of Amanita, Volvariella, and some other mushrooms.
Amanita mushrooms emerge from an egg sack-like structure called the volva, which can closely resemble other young mushrooms such as puffballs, Agarics (field mushroom types), or even Stinkhorn eggs. Therefore, this characteristic is important to consider when harvesting any of those edible mushrooms. The remains of the volva can often be seen stuck to the mushroom cap, although these remnants can be missing if rubbed or washed off by rain. It can be easier to spot this residue on the Gemmed Amanita and the False Death Cap. Some Amanitas leave scales behind when the mushroom breaks through its egg, and some leave a calcite build-up on top of the cap.
The volva is an important feature to note when identifying mushrooms, as it may be partially or completely buried in the ground. Cutting or pulling mushrooms and attempting to identify them later without having noted this feature could be a fatal error, as some species of Amanita are deadly poisonous. When identifying mushrooms, it is important to get to the very base of the stem (or stipe) and make a note of what you find. This bulbous base is a key identifier for Amanitas.
To identify the volva, it is important to dig out the underground stem base of the mushroom so that you can check its basal features. Note whether the bottom of the stem is bulbous or parallel, and whether there is a volva and, if so, what the colours of the inside and outside are, and whether the volva is flexible or brittle.
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Check the colour of the gills
Checking the colour of the gills is an important step in identifying amanita mushrooms. Gills are the thin, blade-like structures on the underside of the mushroom cap, and they play a crucial role in spore production and dispersal. When identifying amanita mushrooms, it is important to note that their gills are typically white to off-white or yellow.
Amanita mushrooms are known for their distinctive characteristics, and the colour of their gills can be a key identifying feature. While the gills of amanitas are usually white, it is important to note that there may be variations within the genus. For example, the Gemmed Amanita, a species within the Amanita genus, has been observed to have yellow gills. Therefore, when identifying amanita mushrooms, it is important to consider the specific species and any variations that may exist.
The colour of the gills can also help distinguish amanita mushrooms from similar-looking species. For instance, young Agarics or field mushrooms may resemble amanitas, but their gills are off-white to pink, which is a key differentiating factor. Additionally, the Common Yellow Russula may be confused with the Gemmed Amanita, but its gills are typically a different shade of yellow, and its stem is straight and white, lacking the skirt-like structure often found in amanitas.
It is worth noting that the colour of the gills can vary depending on the maturity of the mushroom. Young, immature amanita mushrooms may have gills that appear lighter or less vibrant in colour, while mature specimens may exhibit more intense gill colours. Therefore, it is important to consider the overall condition and context of the mushroom when using gill colour as an identifying feature.
In conclusion, checking the colour of the gills is an important step when identifying amanita mushrooms. By understanding the typical gill colours associated with the Amanita genus and its variations, as well as the differences between similar-looking species, foragers can make more informed decisions about mushroom identification. Remember to always use a constellation of identifying features and exercise extreme caution when identifying and consuming wild mushrooms, especially those from the Amanita genus, as some species are deadly poisonous.
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Examine the shape and texture of the stem
When identifying amanita mushrooms, it is important to examine the shape and texture of the stem. The stems of amanita mushrooms are typically bulbous at the base, with remnants of the universal veil in the form of rings or ruffles. The veil is a layer of tissue that surrounds the mushroom, also known as the "egg". The stem of the amanita mushroom can vary in height, ranging from 1.5 to 5.5 inches or even up to 8 inches tall. The texture of the stem is described as fibrous or scaly, with white fibers left over from the universal veil. In some cases, the stem may have a skirt-like structure, which can be smooth or striated. This skirt is more common in certain subspecies of amanita, such as the Grisettes, which generally do not have skirts.
It is worth noting that the stem of an amanita mushroom can vary depending on the species and environmental factors. For example, the stem of Amanita pantherina, also known as the panther cap, has a distinctive ring that hangs downwards, while the ring on aged specimens may disappear almost entirely. The colour of the stem can also vary, with some species having white stems, while others may have yellowish or reddish hues.
When examining the shape and texture of the stem, it is important to use a knife to gently dig out the underground stem base to check its basal features. Note whether the bottom of the stem is bulbous or parallel, and look for the presence of a volva or cup-like structure at the base. The volva is another remnant of the universal veil and can be buried under forest detritus or lodged well in the ground. Check the colour and texture of the volva, and whether it is flexible or brittle.
Identifying amanita mushrooms by examining the shape and texture of the stem requires careful observation and knowledge of the key characteristics. It is important to note that there are many species of amanita mushrooms, and some of them are extremely dangerous or even deadly. Therefore, when in doubt, it is always best to avoid consumption and consult expert resources for accurate identification.
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Check for a ring or skirt (annulus) on the upper stalk
When identifying amanita mushrooms, it is important to check for a ring or skirt (annulus) on the upper stalk. This is a key identifying feature of amanita mushrooms.
The annulus is a remnant of the partial veil that covers the gills of the mushroom when it is immature. As the mushroom matures, the veil splits, leaving a ring or skirt on the upper stalk. The ring is a visible mark around the upper portion of the stem and can vary in thickness and prominence. It may be thin and fragile or chunky and substantial. In some cases, the ring may be incomplete or difficult to discern, blending into the mushroom stem.
The skirt, on the other hand, is a hanging piece of mushroom flesh attached to the stem. It can be short or long, thin or thick, smooth or fuzzy. The skirt of Amanita muscaria, for example, gives it a fancy and elegant appearance.
It is important to note that the annulus can fall off, and some amanita mushrooms, like the Grisettes, do not have skirts. Therefore, it is crucial to consider other identifying features in conjunction with the presence or absence of a ring or skirt when identifying amanita mushrooms.
Additionally, the basal features of the mushroom can provide further clues. By using a knife to dig out the underground stem base, you can check for the presence of a volva (a sack-like structure at the base of the stem) and its colouration. The destroying angel (A. bisporigera) and the death cap (A. phalloides), for example, have noticeable white rings around their upper stems and are highly poisonous.
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Frequently asked questions
Amanitas are deadly poisonous and even a tiny taste could be disastrous. Use a combination of features to identify amanita mushrooms, including physical size, shape, texture, colours, smell, taste, and growing habitat.
Amanitas have a trademark sack or collar-like volva at the base of the stalk, and some have a volval patch or warts on the cap. They have white spores and white to off-white or yellow gills. The caps feel dry and are easily separated from the stem.
Puffballs can resemble amanita eggs, so cut them in half to check for a little mushroom inside. Young Agarics can also look similar, so check the gill colour – amanitas have white gills, while young Agarics have off-white to pink gills.
Examples of amanita mushrooms include the death cap, the destroying angel, Caesar's mushroom, and fly agaric.
Caesar's mushroom is considered the safest and most commonly enjoyed amanita, with its orange cap and yellow gills and stalk. However, it is recommended that only experts attempt to eat any edible amanita mushrooms.
