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Amanita sp.
A suggestion from the guys at Mushroom Observer is that this could possibly be Amanita xanthocephala, a member of the Amanitaceae family of fungi. Common names include vermilion grisette, pretty grisette, and vermilion Amanita. This one was found in natural Australian bush setting at Tamborine Mountain, SEQ. Pale gills. Signs of feeding on cap, possibly by snails (indicating perhaps that this fungi isn't poisonous?) Golden yellow colour seemed to change according to intensity of light. Colour of cap in photo 4 more vivid than rest of series. Chosen primary photo with hands/camera to give a sense of scale. I hesitate to commit to a positive ID of this spotting as Amanita xanthocephala simply because there is a ring present on this specimen.
Tamborine Mountain is hinterland to Gold Coast. From this exact location, well in excess of 1200ft above sea level, eastern aspect. Climate can be dry depending on season, but is mostly cool and moist.
Amongst leaf litter of native eucalypts, but there were also a few imported pines (see litter of last photo). Perhaps spores were transported on these trees? This could possibly be Amanita fulva? As this genus of mushroom is common to the coniferous forests of Europe, this could possibly be the case. As this looks to be a fairly fresh fungi, parhaps as it ages it's cap will flatten and colour darken.
17 Comments
Maybe it just needs to be described officially? That is one thing I absolutely love about PN - being able to document spottings that are new and share them with everyone!
Thanks, Liana. I doubt a positive ID is possible, but at least the spotting has been recorded.
I can offer nothing except a good luck with the ID! Oh...and thank you for sharing :) Liana
Fatal? For whom? I've shown this to a several of people on a number of fungi-related sites. All agree it's Amanita, but the actual species is unknown. Would you like to make an ID suggestion?
It is a mistake to think that a mushroom such as this growing in Australian bushland, hosted by an Australian native tree, can be matched to something growing in Europe or North America on completely different hosts such as oak.
Simple mistakes like this could prove fatal. Don't even attempt to use foreign guides for Australian amanitas.
Hi Lenny. It's a little 8 megapixel Canon IXUS. As basic as they come but it served me so well for many years. An excellent happy snap camera, but very grainy for macro. I do miss it.
Great close ups. May I ask the camera make.
No I don't think so - it will gradually get voted down. Each user has the ability to vote and affect the ID.... I'll vote A.x down now. No ring is critical !! http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/139...
One step closer to an ID: Amanita xanthocephala - the Vermilion Grisette. But a comment was also added:- Grisettes do not have a ring around the stipe! That's exactly what you said, Mark. He wants to see the bulb. No can do :-/
I've created my own little account and have sent off my request. Let's see what happens. http://mushroomobserver.org/137253
I'm stumped... if you put it onto MushroomObserver.org - they'll go nuts.
no sulcate margin tho... back later
Here's a shot from the hip Neil - the Death Cap!! http://christian.pourre.free.fr/p640/ama...
Unfortunately yours has a 'ring' and all documents say the Tawny Grisette has no ring.... damn it :-( Sure looks good otherwise. I forgot about this little beauty - will check for it later today.
Bingo! I've finally found the most likely candidate for this fungi, Mark. It's called a Tawny Grisette. Photos and description from various sources seem to fit.
I'm a tenacious guys, Argy. Like my black caterpillar, I've also contacted the Queensland Museum about this one. Ask an expert, they say... so I did. have sent photos and just awaiting a reply. Let's see if they know their stuff :-)
Fabulous mushroom Neil. I'd go with pic#3. Must get an ID.