Death angel

Amanita virosa

A species of Amanita mushrooms. Also known as Destroying angel.

One of the globe's most lethal fungi is the death angel mushroom. Despite the distinct features of its white fruiting bodies, amateur mushroom enthusiasts might readily mistake these harmful fungi for various edible types, including Agaricus and Tricholoma. It is crucial for all mushroom gatherers to meticulously learn how to identify this species at every stage of its growth.

Attributes of Death angel

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Cap Diameter
4 - 11 cm
Height
10 - 20 cm
Cap
12 cm; conical to hemispherical and flattening; white, ; smooth, sticky when wet; with inturned edges
Cap Shape
Convex, Bell-shaped, Flat, Central Bump
Cap Surfaces
Smooth, Slimy or slightly sticky
Gills
Free; crowded; white
Gill Attachment
Free
Stem
Stem up to 15 cm tall; thin; white
Stem Shapes
With Cup
Stem Surfaces
Smooth to slightly fibrous
Flesh
Pure white; turn bright yellow when alkali is placed on it
Volva
White
Ring
With Ring
Spore Print Color
White
Odor
Faint, somewhat unpleasant, not strongly distinctive.
Body Color
White
Flesh Bruises
The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.
Growth Form
Solitary, Gregarious
Nutrient Gathering
Mycorrhizal
Substrate
On soil
You can find Death angel by these plants
Spruces, European beech
Occurence Habitats
Deciduous Woodland, Mixed Woodland
Species Status
Uncommon in northern Scotland, very common in Scandinavian
Endangered Species
No

Scientific Classification of Death angel

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Phylum
Club fungi
Class
Mushroom-forming fungi
Order
Gilled fungi
Family
Amanita
Genus
Amanita mushrooms
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Toxicity and Edibility of Death angel

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Is Death angel Toxic?

Commonly thriving in damp environments during the warmer months and into early autumn, the death angel mushroom poses a serious threat due to its liver-damaging toxins. Ingestion of this fungus can first cause symptoms like stomach pain, sickness, and throwing up, which can then progress to critical conditions such as liver inflammation and heart complications. Its appearance frequently leads to mistaken identity with safe mushrooms, underscoring the necessity for precise identification protocols.

Toxins type
Amatoxins, Phallotoxins, Virotoxins
Type of poisoning
Hepatotoxic
Toxic Severity
Extreme toxicity
Incubation Period
4-24 hours
Poisoning Symptoms
Early symptoms: abdominal cramps, nausea, weakness, vomiting, and dizziness, with potential for circulatory failure. Later stages: calf and abdominal cramps, hepatitis, heart failure, bloody diarrhea, and liver damage.

Is Death angel Toxic to Dogs?

Death angel can be dangerous to dogs. If your pet has consumed this mushroom, seek immediate veterinary attention. Symptoms may vary, but early intervention is crucial for the best outcome.