Amanita calyptroderma

Amanita calyptroderma
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Agaricales
Family:	Amanitaceae
Genus:	Amanita
Species:	A. calyptroderma
Binomial name
Amanita calyptroderma G.F. Atk. & V.G. Ballen 1909
Synonyms
Amanita calyptrata Amanita lanei

Amanita calyptroderma Mycological characteristics
	Gills on hymenium
	Cap is flat or convex
	Hymenium is free
	Stipe has a ring and volva
	Spore print is white
	Ecology is mycorrhizal
	Edibility is choice but not recommended

Amanita calyptroderma also known as coccora, coccoli or the Pacific amanita, ^[2] is a white-spored mushroom that fruits naturally in the Sierra Nevada and coastal forests of the western United States during the fall, winter and spring.

Description

This mushroom's cap is about 10–25 centimetres (4–10 inches) in diameter, usually orange-brown in color (but sometimes white), ^[3] and partially covered by a thick white patch of universal veil. It has white, close gills. ^[4] Its cream-colored stalk is about 10–20 cm in length and 2–4 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄2 in) in width, ^[3] adorned with a partial veil. It has a partially hollow stem (filled with a stringy white pith), and a large, sacklike volva at the base of the stalk. ^[3]

The spores of this species, which are white, ^[3] do not change color when placed in a solution of Melzer's reagent, and thus are termed inamyloid. ^[4] This characteristic in combination with the skirt-like annulus and absence of a bulb at the base of the stalk place this mushroom in the section Caesareae.

Similar species

The deadly poisonous A. phalloides is similar in appearance. ^[4]

Amanita vernicoccora is a closely related edible species, ^[5] which fruits in hilly or mountainous areas from late winter to spring. Otherwise similar in appearance, its cap is yellow. ^[3] A. caesarea is also related and edible. ^[4]

Distribution and habitat

This mushroom occurs in conifer forests, ^[4] forming mycorrhizae with madrone (Arbutus menziesii) in the southern part of its range (Central California northwards to Washington). However, in the northern part of its range (Washington to southern Canada), its preferred host is Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii).

Amanita calyptroderma in Oakland, California

Edibility

Experienced mushroom hunters regard this mushroom as a good edible species, ^[6] but caution must be exercised when collecting A. calyptroderma for the table, since it can be confused with other species in the genus. ^[3] Amanita contains some of the deadliest mushrooms in the world, most notably A. phalloides and A. ocreata .

See also

• List of Amanita species

References

1. Siegel, N. (2021). "Amanita calyptroderma". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T198477424A198486986. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T198477424A198486986.en . Retrieved 21 April 2025.
2. "Standardized Common Names for Wild Species in Canada". National General Status Working Group. 2020.
3. Davis, R. Michael; Sommer, Robert; Menge, John A. (2012). Field Guide to Mushrooms of Western North America. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 67–68. ISBN   978-0-520-95360-4. OCLC   797915861.
4. Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. pp. 83–84. ISBN   978-0-88192-935-5.
5. Davis, R. Michael; Sommer, Robert; Menge, John A. (2012). Field Guide to Mushrooms of Western North America. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 82. ISBN   978-0-520-95360-4. OCLC   797915861.
6. Phillips, Roger (2010). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. pp. 20–21. ISBN   978-1-55407-651-2.

External links

• Amanita calyptroderma at Amanitaceae.org
• Amanita calyptroderma at BayAreaMushrooms.org
• Amanita calyptroderma at Mykoweb
• Amanita calyptroderma at Mushroom Expert