Solitary Amanita

Amanita echinocephala

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Mushrooms

By Roger Phillips

Published 2006

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Solitary Amanita Amanita echinocephala (Vittad.) Quél. syn. A. solitaria sensu auct. mult. (illustrated 50% life size) Cap 6–20cm across; white with a greenish flush, or can vary from ivory to pale brown; the surface covered with pointed, cream warts, less so with age. Stem 80–160×20–30mm, swollen towards the pointed, deeply buried base; upper part white, lower half covered in the remains of the volva. Flesh white, sometimes with a greenish tinge, bruising yellowish in the stem; smell unpleasant. Gills free or with a decurrent tooth; white or tinged yellow-green. Spores 9.5–11.5×6.5–8¼, ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print white or tinged yellow-green. Habitat on dry, calcareous soils; autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect should not be eaten.