Grey spotted Amanita - Amanita excelsa var spissa

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Edible mushroom - advanced Season - summer to autumn ​ Common names Grey spotted Amanita, grey warted Amanita, false panther cap

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. Excelsa is from the Latin Excelcus and means tall or elevated, while Spissa is derived from Spissus, meaaning compact or crowded

Habitat

The grey spotted Amanita is a mycorrhizal fungus growing in association with various deciduous and coniferous trees.

Overall structure and growth

The fruit bodies are often found individually, but can also be found in small groups. They begin growing in an egg-like sac called a volva, or universal veil.

Cap

The cap a pale grey-brown colour to dark brown. It can reach between 8cm and 15cm, is domed at first and eventually flattens out.

Grey patchy fragments of the veil/volva remain on the cap, though these can be easily washed away or wiped off.

Gills and spores

The white gills are crowded and adnexed (narrowly attached at the top of them stem). The spores are white.

Stem

Sturdy and white in colour, the stem can reach 8 to 12cm tall and 1.5 to 2.5cm wide. It has a stem ring with striations on its upper surface. The stem surface above the ring is often striated, although it can also be smooth. Below the ring, the stem surface is scaly. Only young specimens have visible volval remains at the base of the stem and more often appears swollen.

​Flesh and smell

The flesh is white and smells mildly of radish.

​Possible lookalikes

Could be confused with the poisonous panther cap (Amanita pantherina) but the veil remnants are bright white and it does not have striations on the skirt/ring. Also, the blusher (Amanita rubescens) but this bruises pink when damaged.

Edible parts Must be thoroughly cooked ​ Hazards Could also easily be confused with poisonous Amanitas

Use in herbal medicine and medicine None known

If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner ​ Other uses None known ​ Importance to other species Slugs and snails, as well as other invertebrates 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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