Death Cap Madness!!!

ohgreatstew · #1 (**permalink**) 16-11-2009, 05:50 PM

I took this today, 16th Nov 09, I think this is a Death Cap (Amanita phalliodes), quite small still so not 100%, but it has all the hall marks, although not in a broad leaf wood, in fact below a whole bunch of hazel and hawthorn, there are 3 of them all within about a foot of each other, I was really quite excited to see them, I would be interested to know if I am right and what might be eating them, it doesn't look like a slug, and why isn't whatever it is dead???

Thanks a bunch, what is my next challenge???

alge · #2 (**permalink**) 16-11-2009, 06:03 PM

Hi ogs, I'm not sure if we are allowed to comment? If we can no longer comment on the edibility of edibles or the psychoactive properties psychotic ones can we comment on the poisonous one's. Who knows what your intentions would be???

Gets a bit tricky when the site gets gagged like this doesn't it.

I think you san assume that they are an Amanita genus due to the evidence of a volvic sack at the base of the stem but to confirm your suspicions as to species may not be possible.

alex

squishy · #3 (**permalink**) 16-11-2009, 06:06 PM

i'm sure in circumstances like this, it's ok to make some kind of comment on edibility. it's not one if those 'what is this and can I eat it' threads

TeresaW · #4 (**permalink**) 16-11-2009, 06:17 PM

Ok, I haven't been around for a couple of weeks what with one thing and another, and I understand why the 'e' question shouldn't be raised, but how about being able to mention the 'I' word instead, or the 'p' word, as a matter of safety and education? (inedibility or poisonous)

As for the slug, maybe it's immune certain toxins. How many rhubarb leaves are eaten by wildlife? Do we find them dead at the bottom of the rhubarb patch? Just a thought

alge · #5 (**permalink**) 16-11-2009, 06:23 PM

I was thinking more along the lines of are they poisonous and could i do a mischief with them.

I'm sure stew wouldn't but when i posted something similar a few weeks ago i suddenly thought about what if someone used that info, so surely we cant comment because if that was to happen ................. wab no more

.

boring yes but how far can censorship go.

sorry stew i dont want to divert your thread i want to share in your joy!!!

alex

ohgreatstew · #6 (**permalink**) 16-11-2009, 06:54 PM

So it seems I have caused quite a stir with this, I didn't realise you couldn't comment on edibility, I will refer back to the terms of the site (Sorry WAB I knew I shouln;t have clicked that box without reading it properly, won't happen again), but really I was only refering to wild animals or insects who might have eaten it (I am assuming of course they don't have access to the site!), and to wonder if they don't, how they know they shouldn't!!!
Thanks for all your your comments,

would be pleased to hear any more.....

Plus of course trying to gain assurance I have made a proper ID.

Thanks again Stew

wildherbalian85 · #7 (**permalink**) 16-11-2009, 07:46 PM

Well if you can't say if its edible or not i will just have to say that it is full of nasty toxins.

Now regards to the slugs and insects eating them and whether they might be dead or not... the answer is probably not. Just because something is poisonous to us humans it doesn't necessarily mean it poisonous to other creatures..... but i would imagine this particular species would kill most creatures that had liver and kidneys.

fairplay · #8 (**permalink**) 16-11-2009, 09:25 PM

All this unnecessary fuss over nothing - yes of course it's the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides) and it's important everybody knows what it looks like.

The new rules do not allow people to ask if a species is edible simply because an inexperienced newcomer, full of confidence, could so easily say 'yes' and be completely wrong, and WAB would find itself in a very awkward situation legally if the worst were to happen.

Naturally the same applies with halucinogenic fungi - WAB cannot allow itself to become a platform for the promotion of an illegal use of certain fungi.

Neil.

SheffieldLass · #9 (**permalink**) 17-11-2009, 12:23 AM

Squirrels eat a lot of fungi and seem rather partial to the Amanitas. I wonder if they eat A phalloides or if it is poisonous to them how they know what to avoid ...

wildherbalian85 · #10 (**permalink**) 17-11-2009, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

Squirrels eat a lot of fungi and seem rather partial to the Amanitas. I wonder if they eat A phalloides or if it is poisonous to them how they know what to avoid ...

They could be immune to its effect... much in the same way as Rabbits can happily munch away on Deadly Nightshade yet if say humans or horses did that there would be dire consequences!