Destroying Angel

Habitat

This mushroom grows on soil in mixed or deciduous woodlands. It is frequently associated with birch, beech, oak, or sweet chestnut trees. While it can be found in small groups or as solitary specimens, it is particularly characteristic of Scottish birch forests.

Photos

Appearance

Cap

White and slightly sticky, measuring 4 to 12 cm across; initially conical or hemispherical, becoming bell-shaped with a slight central bump, but rarely flattening completely.

Stem

White with a shaggy or fibrous surface, 7 to 12 cm long; it features a bulbous base encased in a large, bag-like volva and a fragile, thin ring that is often torn or incomplete.

Gills

White and crowded together, attached freely to the stem.

Flesh

White color that turns instantly yellow when treated with KOH; possesses a sickly sweet and heavy odor.

Spore print

White.

Edibility

This mushroom is deadly poisonous and causes the same symptoms as Amanita phalloides. It has a sickly sweet and heavy smell, and its white flesh turns yellow immediately when tested with KOH. It must not be confused with the rare but equally deadly Amanita verna.

Nutrient Source

It forms a mutually beneficial relationship with the roots of trees, obtaining nutrients from them.

Common Names

Basque

hiltzaile konkordun

Catalan

farinot virós, farinera pudent

Danish

Snehvid fluesvamp

Dutch

Kleverige knolamaniet

English

Destroying Angel

Finnish

valkokärpässieni

French

Amanite vireuse, Ange destructeur, Ange de la mort

German

Kegelhütiger Knollenblätterpilz

Northern Sami

vilgesgumpeguoppar, vilgescurotguoppar

Norwegian Bokmål

hvit fluesopp

Norwegian Nynorsk

kvit flugesopp

Spanish

amanita maloliente, oronja fétida

Swedish

vit flugsvamp

Welsh

Angel Angau

Synonyms

• Agaricus virosus
• Amanita virosa
• Amanitina virosa