Amanita nightshade diary

Poisonous mushroom (death cap)

"Death cap" redirects here. For the cap formerly worn by British judges during death sentencing, see black cap.

Species of fungus

Amanita phalloides (), commonly known as the death cap, is a deadly poisonous basidiomycetefungus and mushroom, one of many in the genus Amanita.

Originating in Europe^[1] but later introduced to other parts of the world since the late twentieth century,^[2][3][4][5]A. phalloides forms ectomycorrhizas with various broadleaved trees.

In some cases, the death cap has been introduced to new regions with the cultivation of non-native species of oak, chestnut, and pine.

Amanita nightshade parents

The large fruiting bodies (mushrooms) appear in summer and autumn; the caps are generally greenish in colour with a white stipe and gills. The cap colour is variable, including white forms, and is thus not a reliable identifier.

These toxic mushrooms resemble several edible s