POISONOUS

The Destroying Angel and

the Death Cap Amanitas
(Amanita bisporigera group and Amanita
phalloides)
DESCRIPTION
These mushrooms get their common name
because they are responsible for many fatal
mushroom poisonings.
These mushrooms contain amatoxins. The
North American Amanita bisporigera which has
been called Amanita virosa in many older books
occurs in Europe. It is a whitish colored mushroom.
Amanita phalloides occurs in both Europe and
North America.
Flesh: In Amanita bisporigera it is white and can be
solid to becoming stuffed. It does not bruise.
Amanita phalloides flesh is white fleshed except for
an occasional single yellow streak near the cap.
Cap: Amanita bisporigera is 1 to 4 inches wide. It
starts out somewhat convex becoming almost flat
with age. Its cap color is white to whitish but can on
occasion sometimes faintly have yellowish, tannish,
or pinkish tones in its center area. It lacks warts or
patches on top. Its outer edge is not typically lined.

One of the Destroying Angles - Amanita

bisporigera
It can be shiny and is smooth. Amanita phalloides is
2 to 6 inches wide. It is also becomes convex
becoming almost flat with age. Its cap color is
yellowish green to olive green and can have tan to
brownish or grayish tones. It is somewhat smooth
and shiny and can be a little sticky when wet. Pieces
of the veil can be left on its cap.
Gills: In Amanita bisporigera the white to whitish
gills are closely spaced to crowded. They are not
attached to the stalk or slightly adnate. Amanita
phalloides about free or slightly adnate, they are