Blusher Mushroom

Description:

This beautiful amanita is widely distributed and common in eastern North America. It can be distinguished by its indistinct stem base (which lacks a prominent sacklike covering or rim), its dull yellowish to dull brownish cap, and its tendency to discolor pinkish red to rose; it is sometimes called the "Blusher." Cap: 4-12 cm; convex to broadly convex or flat in age; dry or slightly sticky; with yellow warts when young, but the warts soon fading to pinkish, grayish or dull tan; surface pale to brownish when young, becoming flushed with red shades, and eventually reddish brown to tan to brown; margin typically not lined.

Habitat:

It is common throughout much of Europe and eastern North America, growing on poor soils as well as in deciduous or coniferous woodlands. It has also been recorded from South Africa, where it is thought to have been accidentally introduced with trees imported from Europe.

Notes:

The flavour of the uncooked flesh is mild, but has a faint acrid aftertaste. The smell is not strong.