Saffron ringless amanita | |
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Amanita crocea from Commanster, Belgium | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Basidiomycota |
Class: | Agaricomycetes |
Order: | Agaricales |
Family: | Amanitaceae |
Genus: | Amanita |
Species: | A. crocea |
Binomial name | |
Amanita crocea (Quél. in Bourd.) Singer ex Singer | |
Synonyms [1] | |
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Amanita crocea | |
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![]() | Gills on hymenium |
![]() ![]() | Cap is flat or convex |
![]() | Hymenium is free |
![]() | Stipe has a volva |
![]() | Spore print is white |
![]() | Ecology is mycorrhizal |
![]() ![]() | Edibility is edible but not recommended |
Amanita crocea, the saffron ringless amanita, [2] is a species of Amanita widely distributed in Europe. It is edible but not recommended for consumption due to its similarity to poisonous species of the genus.
It is similar to Amanita fulva (orange-brown ringless amanita or tawny grisette) and A. caesarea (Caesar's mushroom), belonging to the Vaginatae and Caesareae sections of the Amanita genus, respectively.
The edible tawny grisette is a basidiomycete mushroom located in North America and Europe. [5] It is easily confused with the 'death cap', though is not as substantial. The structure is relatively flimsy and the hollow stem often breaks, even when handled very gently. [6] It has fibres on its stalk usually. [7]
The second similar species, the Caesar's mushroom, is the type species (a species to which the name of a genus is permanently linked) of the Caesareae section of the genus Amanita. It has a distinctive orange cap, yellow gills and stem. Similar orange-capped species occur in North America and India. [8] [9]
The fungi can occur infrequently between July and October in mycorrhizal with hardwood trees, particularly birch and beech in clearings. Its odour is sweet-smelling and it has a mildly nutty sweet taste. [10] It has also been reported from Iran. [11]
While edible, guides advise not to eat it as many similar-looking Amanitas are very poisonous. [12]