Amanita strobiliformis


Amanita strobiliformis is a species of mushroom. It is commonly referred to as Warted Amanita.

Description

The cap is 3 to 10 inches across, is rough with warts which sometimes fall away leaving the cap smooth, whitish, and sometimes has some brown. The gills are free and rounded behind. The veil is large and sometimes adhere to the margin of the cap. The stipe is 3 to 8 inches long, thick, white, bulbous, and sometimes weighs a pound. The spores are elliptical.

Edibility

The genus Amanita contains some of the most toxic fungi known. Some amanitas are deadly in only very small doses, while others are relatively harmless and sometimes even considered fit for human consumption. There are different views on A. strobiliformis edibility. Some sources advice against consuming them, other sources considers them edible.

Toxicity

Amanita strobiliformis contains ibotenic acid and muscimol, much like Amanita muscaria and Amanita pantherina. In combination with muscimol, ibotenic acid is a neurotoxin that can cause hallucinations, gastrointestinal distress, and at high doses, convulsions, psychosis and death. In many sources the mushroom is said to be harmless, but still then its edibility is doubted and uncertain, so caution should be taken before consuming this fungus. As with many other fungi, similarly to plants, toxin levels may vary depending on the growing conditions, which in turn may explain the differences in evaluating edibility.

Habitat

Amanita strobiliformis is associated mycorhizal with deciduous trees, preferring scattered forest, or woodland borders, usually on alkaline soil. It grows singular fruits and sometimes clusters. The fungus is rare.
In Europe, it grows from the Mediterranean region to the Netherlands and England, and maybe further north.

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