A baffling Amanaita

[waynehicks1]

I recently found this growing in a broadleaf woodland. I was instantly intrigued by it's cap colouration as it looked unlike any Amanita I had seen before. To my eye, it completely stands out against the likes of A.vaginata/fulva/crocea/phalloides, etc

With a striate cap margin and obvious volva, I'm sure it's an Amanita, I just haven't seen a species like this before. I have looked through several books and just can't put a name to the face.





I'm lost

Regards

Wayne

[cowshill]

A. submembranacea?

[flaxton]

I would say A vaginata is more likely. No velar remnants on the cap and a grey colour.

Mal

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by waynehicks1

I recently found this growing in a broadleaf woodland. I was instantly intrigued by it's cap colouration as it looked unlike any Amanita I had seen before. To my eye, it completely stands out against the likes of A.vaginata/fulva/crocea/phalloides, etc

With a striate cap margin and obvious volva, I'm sure it's an Amanita, I just haven't seen a species like this before. I have looked through several books and just can't put a name to the face.





I'm lost

Regards

Wayne

Hey Wayne,

Welcome to Field Mycology!!

Don't dispair, this happens to all of us all of the time and is most likely the key ingredient that has us coming back for more.

This may be the suggested A. submembranacea but it may not be, there are other greyish/olivaceous Amanita species. It would need a closer look, microscope I'm afraid. Habitat is important, which trees etc etc. Did the volval sac grey at all??

Best

Andy

[waynehicks1]

Thanks for all of your input guys.

First of all, I'm useless with trees(although I am making a conscious effort to learn some new species), so I couldn't tell you what species of tree it was growing under. However, I do know that there were plenty of sweet chestnuts around, I have the cuts and scratches on my arms and legs to prove it!

Did the volva turn grey, sorry , I realy didn't notice Andy

I have started to take spore prints recently but unfortunately I didn't take this specimen home, doh! So, no chance of any microscopy!

It's not looking good is it...

As for the two suggestions: first of all A.vaginata. Whenever I have seen this species it has always appeared much darker/bolder compared to the subtle colouring of this specimen. The colouring of A.submembranacea seems much nearer the mark.

Maybe I'll just have to be content with the photos and hope that I get another chance to record this at a later date in the same woodland.

Regards

Wayne

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by flaxton

I would say A vaginata is more likely. No velar remnants on the cap and a grey colour.

Mal

I would second that suggestion.