Amanita calyptroderma

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

Amanita calyptroderma
Scientific classification
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
float
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: edible but not recommended

Description

This mushroom is recognized by its large, orange-brown cap partially covered by a thick patch of universal veil, its white gills and spores, its cream-colored stalk adorned with a partial veil, a partially hollow stem (filled with a stringy white pith), and by the presence of a large, sacklike volva at the base of the stalk.

The spores of this species do not change color when placed in a solution of Melzer's reagent, and thus are termed inamyloid. This characteristic in combination with the annulus and absence of a bulb at the base of the stalk place this mushroom in the Section Caesareae.

Distribution and habitat

This mushroom forms 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,[1] but caution must be exercised when collecting A. calyptroderma for the table, since it can be confused with other species in the genus Amanita. This genus contains some of the deadliest mushrooms in the world, most notably A. phalloides and A. ocreata.

Amanita vernicoccora is a closely related taxon which was previously referred to as the "spring form" of Amamita calyptroderma.

See also

References
  1. Phillips, Roger (2010). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. pp. 20–21. ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.
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