Amanita Submembranacea??

[cowshill]

Over the last few weeks I have encountered a large number of a mushroom that is new to me and is well illustrated in the following 4 pics.

Emerging egg.

Newly hatched.

Mature specimen with typical bit of veil on cap.

From below. No ring.

It appears singly but commonly under pine, location north central England. Clearly an amanita of the grisette type, but not a good color match for any of the commonly listed amanitas of this type. All the many specimens I have observed are remarkably similar in appearance. The cap color of the mature fungus has a definite olive tinge to an otherwise rather steely color.

In researching the fungus on the web I have found several entries from continental Europe for a species called amanita submembranacea, pictures of which are an exact match to the fungus in question. However, there appears to be some doubt as to whether this is a recognized species, and the name does not appear in British sources including this site and the BMS.

Can anyone offer information on whether a. submembranacea is a recognized species, whether that is what my photos depict, or an alternative identification of this fungus?

[cybershot]

Amanita submembranacea (Bon) Gröger, Boletus SchrReihe 3(2): 27 (1979)

Amanitopsis submembranacea Bon, Bull. mens. Soc. linn. Lyon 44(6): 176 (1975)
Amanita submembranacea var. bispora D.A. Reid, Notes R. bot. Gdn Edinb. 44(3): 514 (1987)


Habitat: On soil, associated with deciduous or coniferous trees, often in mixed woodland.


Notes: Occasional in England, apparently rare in Scotland and a single record from Northern Ireland, unsubstantiated with voucher material. Amanita submembranacea var. bispora was based on an immature collection from England (Surrey: Mountain Wood) fide Tulloss (in litt.).


Distribution: E: o, S: !, NI: ?


Extract from Checklist of the British & Irish Basidiomycota

[cybershot]

Amanita (Amanitopsis) submembrancea

Usually solitary to a few together in montane coniferous forests near Picea, Pinus, Abies and Larix on acid soils, often in association with Vaccinium myrtilis. Summer to fall. Widespread. Distribution: E(urope).

Pileus: 40 -60 (80) mm across, ovoid-campanulate when young, then convex to plane, centre somewhat obtusely umbonate and indented, surface satiny, smooth, olive-brown to grey-olive, grooved-striate almost to centre, centre usually covered with separated or coherent, grey-whitish veil remnants, margin acute striate.
Lamellae: white when young later cream coloured , broad.
Stipe: 50-90 (120) x 9-12 mm, cylindrical, slightly thickened toward base. apex somewhat widened, hollow, fragile, surface white when young, finely longitudinally white-fibrilose, white-flocculose to almost mottled on a light brownish background towards the base, base with a membranous, lobed vlva which is +/- white when young turning grey especially on the inside.

Extract from Fungi of Switzerland

[cowshill]

The description from Fungi of Switzerland certainly sounds like a perfect fit for what I have been seeing, so I think I'll accept that as positive id unless anyone wishes to weigh in with another viewpoint.

Since this is apparently a rare find (at least in the north) and not even mentioned by the BMS, is my finding several dozens of them spread across one small area of pines of any significance such that the powers that be might be interested? (And, if so, just who are the powers that be?)

Unfortunately, the area where I found them (which is my primary foraging area for edible mushrooms) is scheduled to be logged this fall by Northumbrian Water. So these and many others I have come to know and love may soon disappear!

[cybershot]

I would like to think an endorsement is in the offing from one of our resident experts so that we can create an A to Z entry and add your excellent images.
David

[flaxton]

Originally Posted by cowshill

Since this is apparently a rare find (at least in the north) and not even mentioned by the BMS, is my finding several dozens of them spread across one small area of pines of any significance such that the powers that be might be interested? (And, if so, just who are the powers that be?)

!

There are 230+ records from all over the UK on the FRDBI.

Mal

[cowshill]

I'm not familiar with the FRDBI (I'm a relative newbie in this, despite occasionally spouting off as though I actually knew something) - can you enlighten me?

Also curious why a. submembranacea does not show up here, on the BMS site or in Rogers Mushrooms. Is this unusual, or are there a lot of similar cases?

[flaxton]

There are two "National" databases for recording your fungal finds. The oldest is the FRDBI and can be found through the BMS website or clicking on this link. There are 200+ records on here
The second was started much more recently by the ABFG and there are 38 records on that site.
All books or websites have a limited list of fungi and so there will be some species missing from almost all lists you come across.
The "Checklist" will tell you all the species currently recognised in the UK


Mal

[cowshill]

Thanks. On checking out the links, I think this may be more than I need to know!

[mollisia]

Hello,

also from my sight it is a definitve Amanita submembranacea.
Please note, that in FoS the picture of Amanita battarrae shows in reality A. submembranacea!

best regards,
Andreas