Gray False Death Cap

IUCN Red List

NatureServe

Minnesota

not listed

Common and widespread

Summer and fall

Oak and pine forests.

This is a large, easily recognized mushroom that is mycorrhizal with hardwoods. It is common and widespread.

The stalk is ivory white, smooth, 2½″ to 4¾″ tall, and ⅜″ to ⅝″ wide. It may be slightly cottony toward the base. At the base of the stalk is a cup-like structure (volva). This is a remnant of a protective, egg-like covering (universal veil) that completely envelopes the developing mushroom when young. It may be partially or completely buried in the ground. It adheres tightly to the stem and is not sack-like. Toward the top of the stalk, below the cap and gills, is a membranous ring. This is the remnant of a protective covering (inner veil) of the developing gills. It is white to pale yellow and is persistent, remaining on the stalk at maturity of the mushroom.

The cap is smooth, dry, flat to convex, and 2″ to 4¾″ in diameter. It is pale greenish-yellow to yellowish-white when young. As it ages it becomes white or ivory white with pale greenish-yellow to yellowish-white near the center. It has scattered, irregular, buff patches or warts, but these may disappear with age.

The gills are white, closely spaced, and are not attached to the stalk. They sometimes turn yellowish with age.

The spores are white, cream, or yellowish.

It has a strong odor of raw potato.

Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera and Amanita virosa) is pure white throughout, both when young and when mature. The cup is sack-like. The cap usually does not have patches or warts.

Lavender False Death Cap (Amanita citrina f. lavendula) has a flush of lavender in the universal veil and sometimes lavender streaks on the cap.

White False Death Cap (Amanita citrina var. alba) is white throughout. It has a milder odor.

Sources: 7, 24, 29, 30.

Although edible, most field guides list this as poisonous due to its close resemblance to Death Cap.

Shorter one cupped up this morning, tall one still holding rain water from two days ago. The one coming up I assume is the same? I am guessing they are Gray False but not sure.

Location: Todd County

Shorter one cupped up this morning, tall one still holding rain water from two days ago. The one coming up I assume is the same? I am guessing they are Gray False but not sure.