Amanita citrina?

[Lucianne]

I found these two growing near each other, in mixed broadleaf woodland. I assumed that they are the same species, as they look so similar. I love the baby one; looks like a decorated cupcake!

I figured that they are Amanitas as they have the volva. From my book, I thought they might be A. citrina, but I can't see any ring on the older specimen.

Cap white, with slight yellowish tinge on older specimen. Flesh white, unchanging on cutting. Ditto stem. Gills white, free, not changing colour on bruising. Pleasant smell (but maybe only to me... ).

Any ideas anyone?

[Ditiola]

Hi Lucianne

I think you are spot on with Amanita citrina. On the large specimen showing the gills you can see a layer of tissue from the cap edge to the stem that is beginning to break. This is the 'Partial veil' and will form the ring on the stem. Even if breaks away from the stem cleanly as it is attached at this stage it means that the fungus has a ring.

Amanita citrina has a smell like raw potatoes, It is always were smelling fungi as this can back up the other features.

Peter

[Lucianne]

Aha! I see what you mean about the partial veil becoming the ring; so it's just not quite mature enough yet, and therefore the ring will be apparent once it's more mature.

Thank you!

[Ditiola]

Try this link to a page I prepared some time ago for a fungi course I think it explains it quite well:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25610275/Toa...evelopment.pdf





Peter

[Lucianne]

That explains it perfectly. Thank you very much for that Peter.