False Death Cap

not listed

not listed

not listed

False Death Cap is a large, easily recognized mushroom that is mycorrhizal with hardwoods. It is common and widespread.

The stalk is white or ivory white, smooth, 2½″ to 4¾″ tall, and ⅜″ to ⅝″ wide. It may be slightly cottony toward the base. At the base of the stalk is a cup-like structure (volva). This is a remnant of a protective, egg-like covering (universal veil) that completely envelopes the developing mushroom when young. It may be partially or completely buried in the ground. It adheres tightly to the stalk and is not sack-like. Toward the top of the stalk, below the cap and gills, is a membranous ring. This is the remnant of a protective covering (inner veil) of the developing gills. It is white or white to pale yellow and is persistent, remaining on the stalk at maturity of the mushroom.

The cap is smooth, dry, flat to convex, and 2″ to 4¾″ in diameter. There are two color variants that are not given taxonomic recognition as varieties, subspecies, or forms. On the yellowish variant the cap is pale greenish-yellow to yellowish-white when young, becoming mostly white or ivory white with pale greenish-yellow to yellowish-white just near the center as it ages. It has scattered, irregular, buff patches or warts, but these may disappear with age. It was formerly recognized as Gray False Death Cap (Amanita citrina var. grisea). On the white variant the cap is white when young and remains white as it ages. It has white patches or warts. It was formerly recognized as White False Death Cap (Amanita citrina var. alba). On both variants the patches or warts may disappear with age. Both variants are common in Minnesota.

The gills are white, closely spaced, and are not attached to the stalk. They sometimes turn yellowish with age.

The spores are white, cream, or yellowish.

Although edible, most field guides list False Death Cap as poisonous due to its close resemblance to Death Cap. The darker variant has a strong odor of raw potato. The white variant has a mild odor.

Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera and Amanita virosa) is pure white throughout, both when young and when mature. The cup is sack-like. The cap usually does not have patches or warts.

Coker’s Lavender Staining Amanita (Amanita lavendula) has a flush of lavender in the universal veil and sometimes lavender streaks on the cap.

Oak and pine forests.

Summer and fall

Sources

4, 7, 24, 26, 29, 30, 77.

Common and widespread

Four North American subspecies of False Death Cap (Amanita citrina) have been described.

White False Death Cap (Amanita citrina var. alba) is now considered a color variation of Amanita citrina.

Gray False Death Cap (Amanita citrina var. grisea) now refers to Asian Citrine Bulbous Amanita, a variety that occurs only in Japan and China.

Lavender False Death Cap (Amanita citrina var. lavendula) has been raised to species level, now Coker’s Lavender Staining Amanita (Amanita lavendula).

Amanita citrina var. intermedia – no common name, has been raised to species level, and is now Amanita intermedia. It still has no common name.

There are currently no recognized subspecies of Amanita citrina in North America.

I have found many of these in my backyard at the edges of the trail through my backwoods.

Shorter one cupped up this morning, tall one still holding rain water from two days ago. The one coming up I assume is the same? …

Yellowish variant

White variant

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Location: Isanti Township, MN

I have found many of these in my backyard at the edges of the trail through my backwoods.

Location: St. Croix State Park

Location: Todd County

Shorter one cupped up this morning, tall one still holding rain water from two days ago. The one coming up I assume is the same? …