Fly amanita is a poisonous mushroom in the fungus family (Amanitaceae) native throughout the temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. They are typically found in deciduous or pine forests, other natural areas or landscapes either singly, scattered, in dense groups or even in "fairy rings". It is a variable species with several color varieties recognized (red, salmon-red, orange, or yellow). The cherry-red form is not frequently found in North Carolina. The common names comes from them traditionally used as an insecticide. They were crushed and placed in a sauce of milk to attract flies. Its fruiting bodies may reach nearly 12 inches in diameter and 6-8 inches high in shady woodland locations. They form symbiotic relationships with many trees, including pine, oak, spruce, fir, birch, and cedar. The cap emerges from the ground looking like an egg covered with pointed white or yellow warts or "scales". As the fungus grows, the red color appears, the warts become less prominent and the shape becomes less round and finally flat. Its margin is striate and the close white gills are not attached to the stalk. The stalk is white to off-white with a somewhat bulbous base. The thin annulus is white or with some yellow patches. The stalk below the annulus has scales, often in concentric rings. The spore print is white. This is a poisonous mushroom but rarely causes death if treated. One of the compounds causes a hallucinogenic experience that some people may try to use. 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.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
No true leaves. The cap emerges white and egg-shaped and matures to red with yellow warts. The shape becomes more flat with age.
Flower detail
No flowers
Fruit detail
Reproduces by white spores. Spores are produced from late spring through fall.
Stem color
Cream/Tan; White
Stem detail
The stalk is white to off-white with a somewhat bulbous base. The thin annulus is white or with some yellow patches. The stalk below the annulus has scales, often in concentric rings.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Northern Hemisphere
Distribution
Throughout NC
Food & Medicine
Edibility
NOT EDIBLE! (Poisonous)
Uses (ethnobotany)
Has been associated with European and Asiatic shamanic rituals.
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Stems
Poison symptoms
Symptoms may include: Patient appears to be intoxicated, hallucinations, drowsiness, vomiting, nausea, stomach pains, diarrhea, muscle spasms, hypotension, and agitation. Some symptoms may appear in a few minutes to several hours following ingestion; most symptoms are gone after 24 hours. With modern medical treatment, it rarely causes death.