Death angel is a deadly, two-spored species of fungus in the family Amanitaceae native to the eastern USA and Mexico and found in mixed deciduous and coniferous forests. It forms a mycorrhizal relationship with trees for nutrients. This mushroom will grow up to 5.6 inches tall and grows in shade to part shade. All the species in this Genus are highly poisonous. The effects begin 6 to 24 hors after ingestion followed by a stable period then kidney and liver failure and death. The 1 to 4 inch cap is smooth and dry, flat to convex and usually white with a skirt-like ring at the top of the stem. The gills are white and crowded closely together often not touching the stem. The stem is white, round, fleshy and has the remnants a of sac-like structure at the base. Spores are produced for propagation. The mushrooms appear in summer and fall and as they mature producing spores they emit a sickly sweet or rotting odor. Do not plant, do not eat. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 5 in. | Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
No true leaves. The 1- 4 inch cap is smooth and dry, usually white with a skirt-like ring under the cap. The gills are white and crowded closely together often not touching the stem.
Flower detail
NO flowers
Fruit color
White
Fruit detail
No true fruits. Produces spores that are roughly spherical, thin-walled, translucent and amyloid (produce a mucous-like substance when subjected to a test with iodine)
Stem color
White
Stem detail
The stem is white, round, fleshy and has the remnants a of sac-like volva at the base. Up to 5.6 inches tall.
Highly toxic and can be fatal if eaten. Symptoms occur 6 to 24 hours after eating and include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms may persist 6 to 9 hours, frequently followed by a lag period up to 24 hours. During this symptomless period, toxins are severely affecting the liver, resulting in gastrointestinal bleeding, coma, kidney failure, and death, usually within 7 days of eating.