This mushroom I found today in the forest

    by halfakumquat

    20 Comments

    1. Off the top of my head, I would say that the mushroom appears to be a young Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric.

      Here are the key identifying features visible in your photo:
      • Bright red-orange cap with white warty patches.
      • White stem with a bulbous base.
      • The remnants of a universal veil (the white patches) on the cap and around the base.
      • The volva (cup-like structure at the base) typical of Amanita species.

      ⚠️ Toxicity

      Yes — Amanita muscaria is poisonous.
      It contains ibotenic acid and muscimol, which can cause a range of symptoms including:
      • Nausea, vomiting, dizziness
      • Confusion, hallucinations, delirium
      • Muscle twitching or drowsiness

      Although fatalities are rare, it can cause severe illness if ingested and should never be eaten raw or cooked unless processed by someone with expert mycological knowledge (even then, it’s risky).

      Habitat

      Amanita muscaria grows under conifer and birch trees, especially in the fall, across North America, Europe, and Asia.

      Not to be confused with the much deadlier forms of Amanita such as the DEATH CAP and the DESTROYING ANGEL (props to whoever named these killer mushrooms)

    2. Put it on someone’s car. Then they’ll make a Reddit post asking, “Why is there a weird mushroom on my car?”

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