Sarah Brown
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is a species of fungus that is native to the temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is often found in deciduous or pine forests, woodland, heathland, moorland, parks, gardens, and other natural landscapes, either singly or in groups. Fly agaric has a distinctive red cap with white spots and a white stalk, and is widely recognised due to its frequent appearances in fairy tales, television shows, and video games.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Fly agaric, Fly Amanita |
| Scientific name | Amanita muscaria |
| Colour | Red, salmon-red, orange, yellow, scarlet, or orange |
| Cap | White spots or warts, flat or rounded |
| Gills | White, cream, or yellow |
| Stipe (stalk) | White, brittle |
| Habitat | Woodland, heathland, moorland, parks, gardens, deciduous or pine forests, other natural areas or landscapes |
| Location | Native to the UK, temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Mexico, Virginia, North Carolina, Santa Cruz Island in California, the Mediterranean Basin, Sardinia, and the Pacific Northwest |
| Toxicity | Poisonous, toxic, contains ibotenic acid, muscimol, and amanitin |
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What You'll Learn
- Amanita muscaria is native to temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere
- They are found in deciduous or pine forests, woodland, heathland, moorland, and towns
- They grow in the UK, US, Canada, Sardinia, and Santa Cruz Island in California
- Amanita muscaria is often found in groups with basidiocarps in all stages of development
- They are typically found on the ground, singly, scattered, or in dense groups
Amanita muscaria is native to temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is a species of fungus that is native to the temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is a highly toxic and distinctive mushroom, with a bright red or orange cap and white spots and gills. This species of fungus is commonly found in woodland areas, particularly among birch, pine, oak, spruce, fir, and cedar trees. It is often found in groups with basidiocarps in all stages of development.
Fly agaric has a long history of use in religious ceremonies, particularly in Asia. It was used in India and Iran for over 4,000 years as a sacred and hallucinogenic ritual drink called 'soma'. Siberian shamans also used to distribute the mushroom as a gift in late December. In more recent times, it has been used as an insecticide, with the crushed mushroom being placed in saucers of milk to attract and kill flies.
The Amanita muscaria is generally common and numerous where it grows. It is often found in deciduous or pine forests, as well as other natural landscapes, either singly, scattered, or in dense groups. It typically grows in late summer to early winter and is recognised as one of the most familiar species of fungus.
Amanita muscaria is also known to cause poisoning in humans, with symptoms including hallucinations, drowsiness, vomiting, nausea, stomach pains, diarrhoea, muscle spasms, hypotension, and agitation. Despite its toxicity, there are some animals that eat fly agaric, including red squirrels, slugs, and specialist insects such as fungus gnats.
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They are found in deciduous or pine forests, woodland, heathland, moorland, and towns
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is a highly toxic mushroom in the fungus family (Amanitaceae). It is native to the temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. They are typically found in deciduous or pine forests, woodland, heathland, moorland, and towns.
These mushrooms grow in woodland and heathland on light soils among birch, pine, or spruce trees. They are often found in groups with basidiocarps in all stages of development. They can also be found in parks and gardens, typically growing beneath birch, pine, or spruce trees. The fruiting bodies of these mushrooms usually appear between late summer and early winter.
Fly agaric has a distinctive appearance, with a bright red or orange cap covered in white spots and white gills. The stalk is white and brittle, and the base is bulbous with a cup-like structure. These mushrooms can grow quite large, reaching up to 20 cm in diameter and 30 cm in height.
Amanita muscaria has a long history of use in religious ceremonies, particularly in Asia. It was also traditionally used as an insecticide, with its toxic compounds attracting and killing flies. Despite its toxicity, it is rarely fatal if treated, and reports of human deaths are extremely rare. However, ingestion can cause various symptoms, including hallucinations, drowsiness, vomiting, nausea, stomach pains, diarrhoea, muscle spasms, and hypotension.
Amanita muscaria is a well-recognised species, featuring in fairy tales, stories, television shows, and even video games. Its distinctive appearance and toxic properties have made it a notable part of popular culture.
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They grow in the UK, US, Canada, Sardinia, and Santa Cruz Island in California
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric or fly amanita, is a large white-gilled, white-spotted mushroom with a bright red cap covered with distinctive white warts. It is one of the most recognizable fungi in the world. It is native to the UK, US, Canada, Sardinia, and Santa Cruz Island in California, and has been naturalized in the Southern Hemisphere.
In the UK, fly agaric is native and grows in woodland and heathland on light soils among birch, pine, or spruce trees. It is often found in groups with basidiocarps in all stages of development. It is highly toxic and can cause poisoning, especially in children and those seeking its hallucinogenic effects.
In the US, fly agaric has been found in oak-hickory-pine forests in the southeastern region of the country. It is also native to Santa Cruz Island in California, where it is considered a separate species from the mainland variety.
In Canada, fly agaric has been reported to grow in the Pacific Northwest region of the country, where it is associated with conifers.
In Sardinia, fly agaric has been found with Eucalyptus and Cistus trees, although it is unclear whether it is native or introduced from Australia. It is considered a separate species from the mainland Italian variety.
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Amanita muscaria is often found in groups with basidiocarps in all stages of development
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is a distinctive mushroom with a red cap and white stalk. It is a large, conspicuous mushroom and is generally common and numerous where it grows. It is often found in groups with basidiocarps in all stages of development.
Fly agaric is native to the UK and is found in woodland and heathland on light soils among birch, pine or spruce trees. It is a fungus that often forms mycorrhizal associations with birch, as well as other trees. It is typically found in deciduous or pine forests, other natural areas or landscapes, either singly, scattered, in dense groups or even in "fairy rings".
The fly agaric mushroom is probably the most recognisable species of fungus, featuring in countless stories, television shows and even video games. The colourful fruiting bodies can usually be seen between late summer and early winter.
Amanita muscaria has a long history of use in religious ceremonies, particularly in Asia. It was used for over 4,000 years as a sacred and hallucinogenic ritual drink called 'soma' in India and Iran. Siberian shamans would also give it out as a gift in late December. It is also known as an effective bioaccumulator of vanadium.
Amanita muscaria is highly toxic and should not be eaten. It is one of the deadliest poisons found in nature and accounts for 90% of mushroom-related deaths. Ingesting just one cap of a destroying angel, a type of amanita, can kill a person.
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They are typically found on the ground, singly, scattered, or in dense groups
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is a poisonous mushroom in the fungus family (Amanitaceae). It is native to the temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. These mushrooms are typically found on the ground in deciduous or pine forests, as well as other natural areas or landscapes. They can grow singly, scattered, or in dense groups, even forming "fairy rings".
Fly agaric is easily recognisable due to its distinctive red cap with white spots and white gills. The cap can also be orange or yellow, sometimes with white wart-like spots. The gills are located under the cap and are closely packed but not joined to the stem. The stalk is white and brittle, with a bulbous base that has shaggy rings of scales. The entire mushroom can grow to a diameter of 20 cm and a height of 30 cm.
Fly agaric typically grows in woodland and heathland on light soils, often found in symbiotic relationships with birch, pine, oak, spruce, fir, or cedar trees. They are most commonly found in late summer to early winter.
Amanita mushrooms are toxic to humans and account for a large percentage of mushroom-related deaths. Ingesting these mushrooms can cause symptoms such as hallucinations, drowsiness, vomiting, nausea, stomach pains, diarrhoea, muscle spasms, hypotension, and agitation.
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Frequently asked questions
Amanita mushrooms are found in the Northern Hemisphere, in temperate and subarctic regions. They are typically found in deciduous or pine forests, and other natural areas or landscapes.
Amanita mushrooms are found in the US in the states of Washington, North Carolina, Virginia, and California. They are also found in the Appalachian mountains and the Rocky mountains.
Amanita mushrooms are found in the UK in woodlands, parks, and heaths with scattered trees. They typically grow beneath birch trees or pines and spruces.
Amanita muscaria mushrooms are found in woodland and heathland on light soils among birch, pine, oak, spruce, fir, or cedar trees. They are native to the UK and are also found in the US and Mexico.
