Amanita aestivalis
Amanita aestivalis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Basidiomycota |
Class: | Agaricomycetes |
Order: | Agaricales |
Family: | Amanitaceae |
Genus: | Amanita |
Species: | A. aestivalis
|
Binomial name | |
Amanita aestivalis |
Amanita aestivalis | |
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Gills on hymenium | |
Cap is convex or flat | |
mycorrhizal | |
Edibility is unknown |
Amanita aestivalis, commonly known as the white American star-footed amanita,[2] is a species of fungus in the mushroom family Amanitaceae. The cap of the white fruit body is 5 to 8.5 centimetres (2 to 3+1⁄4 inches) in diameter. It sits atop a stem that is 8.5 to 16 cm (3+1⁄4 to 6+1⁄4 in) long. The entire fruit body will slowly stain a reddish-brown color in response to bruising. A. aestivalis may be a synonym for A. brunnescens, and may be confused with several other white-bodied amanitas. The fungus is distributed in eastern North America.
Description
The
The stem is 8.5 to 16 cm (3+3⁄8 to 6+1⁄4 in) long by 0.9 to 1.6 cm (3⁄8 to 5⁄8 in) thick, and slightly thicker at the base than at the top. It is stuffed with whitish hyphae that resemble cotton. The surface of the stem is smooth or has delicate tufts of soft, white, woolly hairs. There is a rimmed bulb at the base of the stem, which can reach a diameter of over 3 cm (1+1⁄8 in).[1] The ring—located on the upper portion of the stem, 1.2–1.7 cm (1⁄2–5⁄8 in) from the top[1]—is white, membranous, and long-lasting. The volva remains closely attached to the bulb, although a portion may stretch out like a thin membrane and adhere to the base of the stem before collapsing. The flesh will slowly turn pinkish-brown to chocolate-brown when it has been injured or bruised.[3] Young specimens do not have any distinct odor, but fruit bodies may smell slightly of onions or garlic in age.[1]
Microscopic characteristics
Viewed in deposit, like with a
Similar species
According to Singer, the species is often mistaken for A. verna in the eastern United States. A. verna, however, has ellipsoid spores. Other white amanitas within the range of A. aestivalis include the deadly toxic species A. virosa (has a more loose cottony stem), A. phalloides (the cap usually has an olive-green tint) and A. bisporigera (typically has two-spored basidia). A. aestivalis is sometimes considered a white form of A. brunnescens, but this latter species has dusky brownish gray radial stripes and usually has many fibrils (short section of hyphae) projecting from the surface, to produce a fine, hairy appearance. Further, it stains more rapidly than A. aestivalis.[1] A. asteropus (the "European star-footed Amanita") is cream to yellow color, and differs from A. aestivalis in its reaction to chemical tests. It is only known from Europe.[5]
Taxonomy
American mycologist
Amanita aestivalis is
The
Distribution and habitat
Fruit bodies typically appear from late June until autumn. In North America, it has been found in the states of New England, as well as Alabama, New York, and Virginia.[1][3] The distribution extends north to the southeastern provinces of Canada[4] and south to Florida.[1]
Fruit bodies of the fungus grow on the ground in
Ecology
A. aestivalis is a mycorrhizal species,[11] meaning it forms a mutualistic relationship in which the vegetative hyphae of the fungus grow around and enclose the tiny roots of trees and shrubs. In this way, the plant is better able to absorb phosphorus and other soil nutrients, while the fungus receives moisture, protection, and nutritive byproducts of the plant's metabolism.[12]
Edibility
Although the edibility has not been documented for this species, some sources have noted that toxicity is suspected.[3][13]
See also
References
- ^ JSTOR 3756058.
- ^ "Standardized Common Names for Wild Species in Canada". National General Status Working Group. 2020.
- ^ ISBN 0-916422-55-0.
- ^ a b c Tulloss R. "Amanita aestivalis". Studies in the Amanitaceae. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
- ^ Tulloss R. "Amanita asteropus". Studies in the Amanitaceae. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
- ^ Singer R. (1949). "The Agaricales in modern taxonomy". Lilloa. 22 (2nd ed.): 387.
- ^ a b Tulloss R. "Amanita brunnescens". Studies in the Amanitaceae. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
- ISBN 3-87429-254-1.
- ISBN 0-88192-627-2. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
- ISBN 978-3-540-00489-9. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
- ISSN 0250-1651.
- ISBN 0-471-52229-5.
- ISBN 0-8173-0442-8. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
External links