Simon and Schuster's Guide to Mushrooms

Chapter 1 MUSHROOMS WITH SCALES ON CAP AND STEM1 AMANITA CAESAREAEtymologyFrom Latin, "of Caesar" or "regal," because it was a favorite of the early Roman Caesars.DescriptionCap 8-20 cm, hemispherical to flat, orange-red washing out to yellow, cuticle separable, sometimes with evident membranous remains of white veil, margin striate. Gills free, crowded, yellow. Stipe 8-15 x 2-3 cm, narrowing at top, hollow when mature, with yellow falling ring, slightly swollen at base, with large white membranous volva. Flesh whitish, yellowish beneath cuticle. Without evident odor. Spores white, elliptical, smooth, 8-14 x 5-8.5 microns.EdibilityIn Europe, excellent cooked.HabitatIn airy parts of dry oak woods, in slightly acid ground, and with pines.SeasonSpring to autumn.NoteThe common North American form, which may be a distinct species, has a somewhat umbonate cap and a thinner (1-2 cm) yellow stripe, and occurs from eastern Canada to Florida and west to the central states; the same or a similar form occurs in the Southwest and Mexico.CautionA number of look-alikes of unknown edibility exist in North America. And what is calledA. caesareain North America is not generally regarded as choice.2 AMANITA MUSCARIAMuscariaCommon nameFly agaric.EtymologyFrom Latin "of flies," because of the northern European custom of using the cap, soaked in milk, to kill or stupefy flies.DescriptionCap 8-25 cm, hemispherical to slightly concave, cuticle detachable, red, covered with white pyramidal warts which may be removed by rain, margin striate. Gills white, crowded, free. Stipe 12-25 x 1.5-2.5 cm, basal bulb with volva of several concentric warty rings, ring white, membranous. Flesh soft and white, orange-red beneath cuticle. Not very conspicuous odor. Spores white, ovoid, smooth, 9-11 x 6-8 microns.EdibilityFairly poisonous, depending on the season.HabitatIn mountains under conifers and birch.SeasonSummer and fall.NoteAlthough reported from Siberia as producing hallucinations, the red-capped North American variety which is found in northern forests and higher altitudes in the south, causes delirium, manic behavior and deep sleep, sometimes accompanied by profuse sweating.3 AMANITA MUSCARIAFormosaCommon nameAmerican fly agaric.EtymologyFrom Latin, "handsome-looking."DescriptionThis variety has a yellowish to orange coloration, or has a tinge of red at the center. All the velar remains (ring, volva and warts) are white, and the description ofA. muscaria(2)applies to this variety in all other respects.EdibilityToxicity appears to vary widely from place to place, and seems to lie for the most part in the cap cuticle.HabitatThis variety is very common in North America, but becomes rarer, more stender, and tinged with a salmonlike coloration in the southern states. Moving west we also find the typical red-cappedA. muscaria.SeasonSummer and autumn.NoteAlthough the toxins in both varieties of this species are reportedly concentrated in the colored skin of the cap, peeling the mushroom does not render it harmless, and poisonings do occur. The hallucinations for which the red-capped Siberian variety is notorious do not seem to occur with either American variety; rather, the experience is often one of delirium and deep sleep, sometimes accompanied by profuse sweating.4 AMANITA PHALLOIDESCommon nameDeath cap.EtymologyFrom Latin, "phalluslike," because of the shape of the carpophore in the early stages of growth.DescriptionCap 5-20 cm, subspherical to flat, rarely with membranous velar remains; fairly deep olive-green to olive-brown but paler toward margin, usually with dark innate radial fibrils. Gills white or slightly yellowish, quite crowded, free. StLincoff, Gary H. is the author of 'Simon and Schuster's Guide to Mushrooms' with ISBN 9780671428495 and ISBN 0671428497.