25 August 2008 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Common Name Death cap, la calice de la mort (French, the chalice of death) Cap Convex, then flattened, smooth, radially fibrous, yellow green to olive green, to about 12 cm across Gills Crowded, free, white Stem +/- equal, ring fleshy and pendulous, broader at the base, and growing from a distinct fleshy sack, or volva, whitish Smell Unpleasant, sweet Taste Do not taste Season Late summer to autumn Distribution Infrequent Habitat In deciduous woods, associated with oak and beech Spore Print White Microscopic Features Spores ellipsoidal, smooth (8-11) x (7-8) µm2 Edibility Deadly poisonous. This is one of the most deadly of all fungi and a single cap could kill several adults. As with many fungi, the death is slow and painful, and is due to multiple organ failure. Notes Unfortunately the close resemblance of this fungus to the edible Paddy Straw Mushroom, Volvariella volvacea, has caused numerous deaths among unwary Asian immigrants to North America 
30 August 2008 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
30 August 2008 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. |