Warted Amanita

Warted Amanita Amanita strobiliformis (Paulet ex Vittad.) Bertill. syn. A. solitaria sensu NCL (illustrated 30% life size) Cap 6–20cm across; white; covered with large, thick, flat, greyish scales. Stem 60–100×8–14mm, ending in a bulbous rooting base with belts of volval remains; shaggy, with delicate, mealy, white scales; ring white and of a delicate, mealy texture. Flesh white, cream in stem base; taste and smell faint and mild. Gills free, crowded; white. Spores 10–12×8–10¼, broadly elliptical; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat near deciduous woodland, especially on calcareous soils; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Said to be edible but easily confused with other deadly species, so I strongly advise it should never be eaten.