fairyhouses - false death cup

Known as the false death cap, or Citron Amanita, Amanita citrina , is a basidiomycotic mushroom, one of many in the genus Amanita. It grows in silicate soil in the summer and autumn months. It bears a pale yellow or sometimes white cap, with white stem, ring and volva.

This mushroom has a fleshy pale yellow, or sometimes white, cap from 4–10 cm (1.5–4 in) across, covered in irregular patches. The gills and flesh are white. There is a large volva at the base of the 6–8 cm (2.5–3 in) tall stem, which has a clear ring. This mushroom is not eaten, having a smell of rapeseed or potato. It is often confused with the related death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides), hence the name.

The false death cap is found in deciduous and coniferous woodlands in Autumn in Europe. It is also found in North American oak and pine forests.

The var. alba variety generally has a larger cap (up to 12 cm diameter compared with 5 to 10 cm for the more common lemon variety) and its stem is also white rather than lemon-yellow. Some experts consider this to be a separate species rather than just a variety.

**********