Читать книгу First Field Guide to Mushrooms of Southern Africa - Margo Branch - Страница 14

Amanita muscaria

Other name: Vlieëgifswam (Afr)

Where found: This large red mushroom with white spots is common in pine and oak forests. Occurs throughout southern Africa and worldwide.

Description: Cap: Up to 20 cm diameter. Scarlet, occasionally orange or yellow, dotted with white warty scales, which may be washed off by rain. Dome-shaped when young but becomes flat with a smooth margin. Stem: 8–20 cm long, 10–25 mm wide. White to yellowish, covered with shaggy scales. Bulbous base, with several ridges of warts. Ring: White; persistent; membranous. Gills: White; free; crowded. Flesh: Thick and soft; white, tinged yellow below the red skin. Odourless. Spores: White.

Edibility: Poisonous. Although seldom fatal, it causes nausea, hallucinations, convulsions and even loss of consciousness within 1–4 hours of eating.

Notes: For centuries the Fly Agaric was used to attract and kill flies. The bait was prepared by adding crushed mushroom to a saucer of milk.