With black poplar. Found and identified by Mark Hampton. 4 August 2023 Eastleigh, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Cap Convex, expanding with age, dark to pale grey, initially enclosed in a thin white membrane or veil, which breaks up into scales as the cap expands, scales becoming ochraceous with age, cap surface often with a hammered texture, margin grooved, to about 10 cm across (exceptionally to 15 cm) Gills Free, crowded, white, or sometimes beige to pale pink Stem Tapered, whitish, decorated with a zig zag pattern, base enclosed in a fleshy volva Flesh White, somewhat brittle Smell Indistinct Taste Unknown Season Sumer to autumn Distribution Very rarely recorded Habitat On soil with oak, hazel, poplar, and common rock rose Spore Print White Microscopic Features Spores globose to sub-globose, smooth, inamyloid (8-14) x (8-11) µm2 Edibility Unknown, avoid Notes Unfortunately there are numerous similar species, making identification difficult. The specimens shown were collected in a small area where, several years earlier, Mark Hampton had made a similar collection. DNA from his collection was amplified by Eric Janke and DNA sequenced by the BMS, confirming the identity as Amanita simulans. I am grateful to Mark Hampton for providing the location of the specimens shown. When I visited there were hundreds of specimens spread over a large area. 
With black poplar. Found and identified by Mark Hampton. 4 August 2023 Eastleigh, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. |