Plant DetailShow Menu

Eastern North American destroying angel Amanita bisporigera

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
am-ah-NEE-tah bih-spor-ih-JAIR-uh
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

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:
Tags:
#poisonous#forest mushroom#non-edible mushrooms#poisonous mushrooms#mushrooms
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#forest mushroom#non-edible mushrooms#poisonous mushrooms#mushrooms
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Mushroom
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
  • Leaves:
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • 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