Description:
A very variable mushroom which is very common in various habitats. Said to be edible after careful parboiling but can apparently cause haemolysis if eaten raw.
Habitat:
Found on a variety of habitats including heathland, coniferous woodland and deciduous woodland.
Cap:
Light/dark grey to red-brown. Loose white scales at adolescence which turn a muddy red with age or bruising. Spherical to convex in shape.
Flesh:
White flesh when intact, bruising a deep red with handling or age. No distinctive smell but a mild taste, soon becoming rather bitter.
Gills:
The gills of this Amanita are free. They are white in colour and turn red/brown with age or handling.
Spores:
9-10 x 8-9 Microns in size. Broadly ellipsoid; amyloid. White in colour.
Stem:
White above the striate ring. Below the ring, flesh turns red quickly with bruising. Scaly and swollen 'bulb' like base which lacks a sac-like volva as shown by Amanita phalloides.
Additional Notes:
A rather distinctive member of the Amanita family due to its bruising nature. The variation Amanita rubescens var. Annulosulphurea is very similar to The Blusher but has a sulphur yellow tinge.
