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Amanita virosa is often confused with:
Amanita bisporigera Amanita bisporigera
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Amanita bisporigera Amanita bisporigera
Amanita flavoconia Amanita flavoconia
Amanita gemmata Amanita gemmata

European Destroying Angel Amanita virosa

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
am-ah-NEE-tah vir-OH-suh
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Death Angel is a poisonous mushroom in the fungus family (Amanitaceae) native to Europe and northern Asia in mixed oak-hardwood conifer forests, other natural areas, or in the landscape, singly or in small groups.  It is not found in North America.  

The mushroom grows up to 6 inches tall in shady forested areas forming a symbiotic relationship with the tree roots for nutrients.

The cap is white and smooth and the center may become a dull tan with age. It is initially egg-shaped and becomes conical then matures to flat. 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 (ring) is white, large, flaring, and persistent at the top of the stalk. A white cup-like sheath (volva) is found at the base of the stalk. The spore print is white. Mature specimens have a faint sickly and unpleasant odor. It is considered one of the most poisonous mushroom.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No significant problems.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#forest mushroom#non-edible mushrooms#poisonous mushrooms#mushrooms#white mushroom
 
Amanita virosa
Form Gail Hampshire CC BY 2.0
Amanita virosa
Habitat Charles de Mille-Isles CC BY 2.0
Amanita virosa
States of growth Jerzy Opiola CC BY-SA 4.0
Amanita virosa
Annulus, ring or skirt. Joseph OBrien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Amanita virosa
Volva Σ64 CC BY-SA 3.0
Amanita virosa
Underside of Cap Σ64 CC BY 3.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#forest mushroom#non-edible mushrooms#poisonous mushrooms#mushrooms#white mushroom
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Amanita
    Species:
    virosa
    Family:
    Amanitaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, Asia
    Edibility:
    Poisonous. One cap of A. virosa is enough to kill an adult human.
  • 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)
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    White spores are spherical or subglobose
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers
  • Leaves:
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    No true leaves. The 4 to 5-inch wide white cap starts out oval, becomes conical and finally flat. The gills are white, not attached to the stalk, and close
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stem is often slightly curved, pure white and fibrous with an ungrooved, fragile ring high up on the stipe. The sack-like vulva is often below the soil surface.
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    One of the most poisonous mushrooms, it is highly toxic and can be fatal if eaten. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, liver and kidney failure. The toxins in this plant attack the central nervous system.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Amanitin
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Stems