blusher

Description:

This 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." Another common "blushing" Amanita species in the east, Amanita flavorubescens, has yellow, rather than grayish, warts and volva remnants (as well as a brighter yellow cap surface). Amanita rubescens var. alba has a whitish cap. The western version of Amanita rubescens is Amanita novinupta. Strictly speaking, the "Amanita rubescens" of North American authors may not be the same mushroom as the "true" Amanita rubescens, from Europe. Amanita expert Rod Tulloss has identified at least a dozen distinct blushers world-wide (see Tulloss's key to these amanitas), and notes that the mushroom labeled Amanita rubescens on our continent differs in several macro- and microscopic features. To see what happens when Amanita rubescens is attacked by aliens from outer space, see Hypomyces hyalinus. Description: Ecology: Mycorrhizal with conifers and hardwoods, but especially fond of oaks; throughout summer and fall; probably limited to eastern North America (see comments below). 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. Gills: Attached or free from the stem; white, sometimes discoloring reddish; close. Stem: 5-14 cm long; 1.5-3 cm thick; more or less equal, sometimes slightly enlarged toward base; the base indistinct to bulbous; generally without volval remnants (but perhaps with indistinct volval scales or zones); without a rim; white becoming stained pinkish to dirty red; smooth to finely hairy; with a fragile superior ring that typically persists into maturity. Flesh: White throughout, discoloring slowly pale pinkish red, especially around worm holes. Spore Print: White. ( http://www.mushroomexpert.com/amanita_ru... )

Habitat:

location: North America, Europe edibility: Poisonous/Suspect fungus colour: Red or redish or pink, Brown normal size: 5-15cm cap type: Convex to shield shaped stem type: Ring on stem, Volva on stem, Bulbous base of stem flesh: Flesh discolours when cut, bruised or damaged spore colour: White, cream or yellowish habitat: Grows in woods, Grows on the ground Amanita rubescens ([Pers.] Fr.) S. F. Gray Blusher, Amanite rougissante, Golmotte, Perlpilz, Pirulo galoca. Cap 5–15cm across, rosy brown to flesh colour, sometimes with a yellowish flush covered with white or slightly reddish patches. Stem 60–140´10–25mm, white, strongly flushed with cap colour, white above the striate membranous ring, becoming reddish near the bulbous base which occasionally has scattered scaly patches of volva. Flesh white, gradually becoming pink when bruised or exposed to air, especially in the stem. Taste mild at first then faintly acrid, smell not distinctive. Gills free, white, becoming spotted with red where damaged. Spore print white. Spores ovate, amyloid, 8–9 x 5–5.5µ. Habitat in coniferous and deciduous woodland. Season summer to autumn. Very common. Edible when cooked but poisonous if eaten raw; the water it is cooked in should be discarded, best to avoid it altogether as it does contain dangerous toxins. Distribution, America and Europe. ( http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/D... )

Notes:

The Blusher is the common name for several closely related species of the genus Amanita. A. rubescens, found in Europe and eastern North America, and A. novinupta in western North America. Both their scientific and common names are derived from the propensity of their flesh to turn pink on bruising, or cutting. Although edible, it can be confused with deadly poisonous species, and should definitely be avoided by novice mushroomers.Both of these species are edible when cooked. European Amanita rubescens is known to contain a hemolytic poison in its raw state; it is unknown whether North American A. rubescens and A. novinupta are similarly toxic in its raw state. This toxin is destroyed by cooking. Amanita novinupta is highly regarded as a choice edible in the region in which it is found. However, the edibility of blusher species other than A. rubescens and A. novinupta has not been established and experimentation is not advised. Some experts recommend avoiding the consumption of any species of Amanita. (wikipedia)