Saturday, 04 February 2012

Death Cap

Facts
Common Name: 
Death Cap
Scientific Name: 
Amanita phalloides
Cap Diameter (mm): 
60-150mm
Stem Height (mm): 
80-200mm
Stem Diameter (mm): 
8-12mm
Information
Description: 

An olive/pale green agaric renowned for its deadly effects on humans. This common mushroom is responsible for 90% of cases of fatal mushroom poisoning. All parts of the specimen remain deadly even after cooking. Even small amounts (as little as 20g) are fatal and hands should always be washed after handling. 

Distribution: 

A very common species- grows particularly well with Quercus.

Habitat: 

Grows well in association with Oak. Grows in mixed deciduous woodland.

Cap: 

The Death Cap sports an olive green to pale green/cream cap. Shape - convex with a satin-like texture. Radially fibrillose.

Flesh: 

Thick white flesh with an aroma of potatoes or honey (sickly sweet). Starts smelling of ammonia with age.

Gills: 

Gills are white and crowded.

Spores: 

8-10.5 x 7-8 Microns in size. Broadly elliptical to subglobose, amyloid. White in colour.

Stem: 

Cylindric with bulbous base cupped with a sac-like volva. Stem is slightly scaly with a thin, membranous but persistent ring.

Additional Notes: 

Amanita phalloides grows from summer to mid autumn (July-November). Rarely survives frosts.