Amanita excelsa v. spissa

Taxobox

---

image_width=250px
name = "Amanita excelsa v. spissa"
status = common
regnum = Fungi
divisio = Basidiomycota
classis = Agaricomycetes
ordo = Agaricales
familia = Amanitaceae
genus = "Amanita"
species = "A. excelsa v . spissa"
binomial = "Amanita excelsa v. spissa"
binomial_authority = ( Fr.) Neville & Poumerat.
synonyms = "Amanita spissa" ( Fr.) Opiz.mycomorphbox
name = Amanita excelsa var. spissa
whichGills = free
capShape = convex
capShape2 = flat
hymeniumType= gills
stipeCharacter= ring
sporePrintColor=white
howEdible=edible

A large; brownish/grey chunky member of the "Amanita" genus, which is very variable, and hard to distinguish when older. It has recently become known as The Grey Spotted Amanita.

Taxonomy

"A. excelsa v. spissa" is now considered to be the most common form of "Amanita excelsa v. excelsa", which is the true form of this mushroom.

Description

The cap is around 10cms in diameter when fully expanded, and is various shades of brown or brown/grey, sometimes washing off to buff. Younger specimens have grey veil remnants often in quite large; flat patches, but these are usually removed later by the weather. The mature stem is usually fairly long, and has a bulbous base which is without a discernible volva, having just several flaky ring zones instead. It is marked above the ring with vertical lines. The ring is large and white, and also has lines. The gills are crowded; white, and have a slight decurrent tooth. The flesh is white; smells of ’radish’, and turns purple when sulphuric acid is applied.cite book | author = Roger Phillips | year = 2006 | title = Mushrooms | publisher = Pan MacMillan | isbn = 0-330-44237-6]

imilar species

*"Amanita excelsa var. excelsa" is the less common, and more slender true form, which is said to lack the ‘radish’ odour..
*"Amanita rubescens" (The Blusher), which can be reduced to much the same colour by weather.
*"Amanita pantherina" (The Panther Cap), which is poisonous; has white veil remnants; a definite rim around the base of the stem, and looks like a brown "Amanita muscaria" (Fly Agaric)

Distribution and Habitat

"Amanita excelsa var.spissa" occurs in Britain, Europe, and eastern North America in summer, and autumn. Growing with both broad leaved and coniferous trees.

Edibility

Pronounced edible by some, but probably best avoided in case of confusion with "A. pantherina".

References