Amanita_citrina

<i>Amanita citrina</i>

Amanita citrina

Species of fungus

Amanita citrina (synonym Amanita mappa), commonly known as the false death cap or citron amanita,[1] is a basidiomycotic mushroom, one of many in the genus Amanita. It grows in silicate soil in the summer and autumn months. It bears a pale yellow or sometimes white cap, with white stem, ring and volva. It is an inedible mushroom due to its toxicity, but is more pertinently often confused for the lethal death cap.

Quick Facts Amanita citrina, Scientific classification ...
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Description

This mushroom has a fleshy pale yellow, or sometimes white, cap from 4–10 centimetres (1+1⁄2–4 inches) across, covered in irregular patches. The gills and flesh are white. There is a large volva at the base of the 6–8 cm (2+1⁄2–3 in) tall stem, which has a clear ring.

The mushroom has a smell of rapeseed or potato.[2]

Similar species

It is often confused with the related Amanita phalloides, the death cap, hence the common name.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The false death cap is found in deciduous and coniferous woodlands in autumn in Europe.[2] It is also found in North American oak and pine forests.

Toxicity

This mushroom contains the alpha-amanitin toxin,[citation needed] but possibly in small enough amounts that would not cause adverse effects unless ingested at high quantity.[citation needed] It also contains the toxin bufotenin.[3] Although it is considered inedible, the biggest danger with this species is its marked similarity to the death cap.[4]

  • A closer view of an emergent specimen
  • A. citrina from Commanster, Belgium
  • Closer view of gills and ring of a specimen from Commanster, Belgium
  • A. citrina at the 12-th countrywide mushroom exhibition 2008, Žofín, Prague, Czech Republic
  • A. citrina in Ukraine (Co-ordinates:49°19′20.03″N 28°33′29.20″E)

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Standardized Common Names for Wild Species in Canada". National General Status Working Group. 2020.
  2. [2]
    P. Jordan & S. Wheeler (2001). The Ultimate Mushroom Book. Hermes House.
  3. [3]
    Miller Jr., Orson K.; Miller, Hope H. (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, CN: FalconGuide. p. 36. ISBN 978-0-7627-3109-1.
  4. [4]
    Phillips, Roger (2010). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.
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