Description

The cap of the fly agaric mushroom is mostly from 5 to 20 centimeters wide, and has a well known red coloration with white warts on its surface. These warts can easily be removed, and can come off after heavier rain. The stipe is typically widened at the bottom, and it is known to have a ring. The gills are dense and white colored. Spore print is also white colored.

Chemical reactions

The flesh of the fly agaric reacts with sulphuric acid forming a light brown coloration. It also reacts with phenol, forming a wine red color.

Habitat

Fly agarics grow in various different types of woods, from oak to beech forests, to coniferous woods. They can be found in almost all parts of Europe, Asia and North America.

Season

This mushroom grows throughout most of the summer and fall.

Edibility

Fly agaric is a poisonous species, which contains muscarine, muscimol and ibotenic acid. Nevertheless, in some parts of the world, it is consumed. Usually the skin from the cap is removed, after which the mushrooms are cooked. Aftwrwards, they need to be salted and stay like that for a certain period of time. However, it is not recommended, especially since there are many other species which don't require that much work to be prepared properly.

Similar species

Fly agaric is a very characteristic species, so it is not often confused with other species. However, specimens that have no white warts could be confused with the Caesar's mushroom (Amanita caesarea), although Caesar's mushrooms have yellow colored flesh and they have a very expressed vulva.