Death Angel is a poisonous mushroom in the fungus family (Amanitaceae) native to Europe and northern Asia in mixed oak-hardwood conifer forests, other natural areas, or in the landscape, singly or in small groups. It is not found in North America. The mushroom grows up to 6 inches tall in shady forested areas forming a symbiotic relationship with the tree roots for nutrients. The cap is white and smooth and the center may become a dull tan with age. It is initially egg-shaped and becomes conical then matures to flat. The gills are white, not attached to the stalk, and close. The stalk is white, cottony to somewhat pearly, and sometimes with a bulbous base. The annulus (ring) is white, large, flaring, and persistent at the top of the stalk. A white cup-like sheath (volva) is found at the base of the stalk. The spore print is white. Mature specimens have a faint sickly and unpleasant odor. It is considered one of the most poisonous mushroom. 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)
Growth rate
Rapid
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
No true leaves. The 4 to 5-inch wide white cap starts out oval, becomes conical and finally flat. The gills are white, not attached to the stalk, and close
Flower detail
No flowers
Fruit detail
White spores are spherical or subglobose
Stem detail
The stem is often slightly curved, pure white and fibrous with an ungrooved, fragile ring high up on the stipe. The sack-like vulva is often below the soil surface.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe, Asia
Food & Medicine
Edibility
Poisonous. One cap of A. virosa is enough to kill an adult human.
One of the most poisonous mushrooms, it is highly toxic and can be fatal if eaten. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, liver and kidney failure. The toxins in this plant attack the central nervous system.