Amanita bisporigera
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- am-ah-NEE-tah bih-spor-ih-JAIR-uh
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Amanita bisporigera (or Death Angel) is a deadly, two-spored species of fungus and is a smaller species than its equally deadly cousin, A. virosa. The effects of eating this fungus include a lag period following initial symptoms, which can lull the patient into a false sense of security.
The fungus can be found singly or in groups on the ground in mixed oak-hardwood forests of eastern North America and Mexico, in cultivated landscapes. While rare in western North America, it is widely distributed on the east coast and Mexico and is the most commonly encountered poisonous mushroom. The mushroom cap can grow to 4 inches across and is white and smooth, with a center that becomes a dull tan with age. The gills are white, not attached to the stalk, and close. The stalk is white, cottony to somewhat pearly, and sometimes with a bulbous base. The annulus is white, large, flaring, persistent, and is located at the top of the stalk, cup-like sheath (volva) at the base of the stalk, and white. The spore print is white.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Amanita
- Species:
- bisporigera
- Family:
- Amanitaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico and eastern United States
- Distribution:
- Throughout North Carolina
- Edibility:
- Highly poisonous.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 5 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Mushroom
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
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Leaves:
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Highly toxic and can be fatal if eaten. Symptoms occur 6 to 24 hours after eating and include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms may persist 6 to 9 hours, frequently followed by a lag period up to 24 hours. During this symptomless period, toxins are severely affecting the liver, resulting in gastrointestinal bleeding, coma, kidney failure, and death, usually within 7 days of eating.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Amanitin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Stems
