Volva (mycology)

The volva is a mycological term to describe a cup-like structure at the base of a mushroom which is a remnant of the Universal veil. This macrofeature is "very" important in wild mushroom identification due to it being an easily observed, taxonomically significant feature which almost always signifies a member of Amanitaceae. This has particular importance due to the disproportionately high number of "deadly" poisonous species contained within that family.

A mushroom's "volva" is often partially, or completely burried in the ground, and therefore care must be taken when removing the mushroom, if it resembles an "Amanita".