Did this deadly mushroom earn it's name because of it's beauty or because religious zealots used the amatoxins to persecute heretics? Either way, it is quite beautiful, and quite deadly.
The Destroying Angel (Amanita Virosa):
While answering questions and responding to comments on my last post I had the idea to begin a mushroom identification series that begins with the deadliest species first. There are plenty of horror stories associated with these mushrooms and there are a few main species out there that are responsible for 99% of incidents. The good news is they are easy to identify, and if you start out learning which mushrooms to avoid along with look a likes you can eliminate all risks. If you rely on good sources and your better judgement you'll easily learn to identify all the mushrooms you find.
How to Spot a Destroying Angel
1. A snowy white mushroom always with a sack or vulva at the base:
This one is less visible, make sure to dig up the entire mushroom for identification
2. The cape(annulus) or ring forms around the stem from the veil separating from cap:
After the annulus has fallen off leaving a faint barely visible ring...
3. The Destroying Angel Has White gills/White spores:
This might be common sense with this species but gathering spore prints is a key step in classifying mushrooms because they all differ in color
4. Recognize the Various Stages of growth:
The thickness of the stalk varies from slender to robust
Fully grown specimens may form a blush tan or slight pink color atop the center of the cap
5. Spot the Look a likes:
All of these look a likes are edible but one must be extremely cautious while identifying with a painstaking attention to detail.
Giant Horse Mushroom
Spring Cocorra
Meadow Mushroom
Ma'am on Motorcycle
The destroying angel is a fun species to find and classify. It's good to be able to teach people how to identify them because they're all too common. People who've eaten this mushroom say the taste is excellent before the violent convulsions begin. The destroying angel is highly toxic to the liver, and if you or anyone you know accidentally ingests some induce vomiting ASAP, immediately followed by eating large amounts of activated charcoal and milk thistle. The charcoal will absorb the amatoxins and the milk thistle will protect your liver. It might even be good to carry these things when on a foray with a lot of people. Mushroom hunting is safe when you take every step to identify the species, but you can't always account for everyone and it's good to come prepared.
If you liked this please upvote and stay tuned for tomorrow's mushroom! Are there any species in particular you'd be interested in hearing about? Let me know in the comments section! Also join me for my next mushroom foray this Sunday! If you'd like to see last weeks findings in Utah check out my feed 