Fly agaric - Amanita muscaria
- The Foraging Course Company
- May 10
- 2 min read
Poisonous mushroom - novice identification Season - summer to autumn Common names Fly agaric, fly Amanita
Scientific name meaning: Amanita originates from the Greek Amanitai, which is though to mean of the Amanus, which is a range of mountains in Turkey. Muscaria is from the Latin Musca, meaning fly (insect)
Overall structure and growth  Fly agaric is quite a tall mushroom. Fruits can be found individually through to large groups. It is the classic fairy tale mushroom with its red cap and white spots. It begins growing in an egg-like sac called a volva, or universal veil, which the cap craks out through. |
Cap  The cap of fly agaric ranges from deep orange to red but there are also brown and white variants. It can reach between 10cm and 20cm in diameter and is domed at first, eventually flattening out. Sometimes they become funnel shaped. Bright white fragments of the veil/volva remain on the cap, though these can be washed away in heavy rain. |
Gills and spores  The white gills are crowded and free of the stem. As the mushroom ages, the gills begin to yellow. The spores are white. |
Stem  Sturdy and white in colour, the stem can reach 10 to 25cm tall, and is 1.5 to 2cm wide. It has a large floppy stem ring, or skirt. The ring is often ragged. The base of the stem is spherically swollen. |
Flesh and smell  The flesh is white and has no distinctive smell or taste. |
Possible lookalikes  Could be confused with redder specimens of the blusher (Amanita rubescens), pictured. However, the blusher's flesh bruises pink when damaged and its veil remnants are dirty grey rather than bright white. Specimens whose veil remnants have washed away may be confused with some red Russula but these do not have volval remains or rings/skirts. |
Poisonous parts All parts of this mushroom are poisonous. There is ongoing debate regarding the edibility of this mushroom with careful preparation. However, there is no definitive evidence of safety even after preparation Hazards This mushroom is poisonous and not for consumption
Use in herbal medicine and medicine Has been used to treat skin diseases, joint diseases, fungal infections, fatigue, rheumatism and lung diseases. Also believed to be an antihistamine. Currently being researched into its use in the treatment of cancer and dementia
If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner Other uses Can be used as an insecticide. Broken up pieces in milk release ibotenic acid, which attracts and kills flies Importance to other species Slugs, snails and mammals often eat this mushroom
Always stay safe when foraging. You need to be 100% sure of your identification, 100% sure that your foraged item is edible, and 100% sure that you are not allergic to it (it is good practice to always try a small amount of any new food you are consuming). If in doubt, leave it out!
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