Amanita virosa (Destroying Angel)
Botanical Information
| Family | Amanitaceae |
| Genus | Amanita |
| Species | virosa |
| Category | Fungi |
| Origin | Europe. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | Deadly poisonous and considered more lethal than Amanita phalloides. The chief toxin alphamanitin keeps circulating through the body causing even more damage. There is no know antidote to the toxin and just one spoonful of soup made from one plant is enough to kill a person. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 4 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 5 |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H7 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -20 |
| Temperature (°F) | 5 |
| Growth | Slow |
| Flowering Period | October |
Description and Growing Information
| Shape | Small, upright and crown arching. |
| Notable Specimens | Joany's Woods, West Williams, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada. |
| Habitat | Woodland. |
| Leaf Description | Resembles several edible species (portobello mushroom). Egg-shaped covered with a universal veil. The cap is conical with in-turned edges before becoming hemo-spherical and flattening. 12 cm in diameter. The stipe is 15 cm tall with a hanging grooved ring. The spores are egg-shaped conical and 7 - 10 cm long. |
| Colour Description | The caps, stipes and gills are white in colour. |
| Texture Description | Rubbery texture. |
Photographs
