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Gemmed Amanita

Amanita gemmata (am-ah-NEE-tah gem-MAY-tah)

Family: Amanitaceae Non-native

The gemmed amanitais a poisonous mushroom in the fungus family (Amanitaceae) native to Asia and Europe. They are found in the USA as a species cluster, not the actual species. Those found in North America are generally considered to need more study to determine if they are the same as the European species. They are found growing in forests or other natural areas or in the landscape growing singly or in small groups in mixed hardwood-conifer forests, or in pure pine stands. This mushroom grows 1 to 5 inches tall and prefers shady sites in sandy soils. They form a mycorrhiza relationship with the roots of the host plant for nutrients.Their seasons begin in late spring or early summer and ends in the fall. The cap is dull yellow to pinkish-yellow, covered with small to medium white scales or warts. The cap can be flat or have a slight depression at the center where the coloring is somewhat darker. The gills are white, close, and slightly attached to the stalk.The stalk is white with a bulbous base with a distinct collar. Gradually tapers, stuffed then hollow with cracked scaly belts.The annulus is white, fragile, often disappearing with age, and located near the top of the stalk. The spore print is white. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 31 attributes.

Companions & Conflicts

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.

Often confused with Amanita muscaria

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Mushroom; Poisonous
Light
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Maintenance
High
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
No true leaves. The cap is convex or flat, up to 4 inches across, dull yellow, fading to nearly whitish. Young caps are sticky and covered with white warts that fade with age. Gills are white and unattached to the stem.
Flower detail
No flowers
Fruit detail
Reproduces by spores. Spores are white, broadly elliptical and smooth.
Stem color
White
Stem detail
4 to 5.6 inch white stem that tapers slightly at the apex. It is smooth or has fine hairs, The volva at the top of the stem forms a ring but may be fragmented
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe, Asia
Food & Medicine

Edibility

NOT EDIBLE!

Landscape Use
Garden tags
#forest mushroom #poisonous #non-edible mushrooms #sticky #poisonous mushrooms #white flowers #native mushroom #mushrooms
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans
Poison severity
High
Poison parts
Stems
Poison symptoms
May be fatal if eaten. Poisonous through ingestion. (Poison part: mushroom). Symptoms: A person may appear intoxicated or have visual hallucinations 3 minutes to 3 hours after eating; other reactions include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, irregular and slow heart beat, agitation, and in exceptionally rare cases of severe poisoning, coma, convulsions, and death.
Toxic principle
muscimol and ibotenic acid
Contact dermatitis
No
Toxicity summary
High severity poison; parts: Stems

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.