The Panther mushroom (Amanita pantherina) is a species of Amanita, a genus that features some of the deadliest mushrooms in the world.

Description

A. pantherina has a pale orange-brown pileus (cap) bearing small white warts and between 5 and 15 cm in diameter. In younger specimens the cap is domed, becoming flatter with age. The upper remains of the velum form a ring around the cap margin. In moist conditions the pileus is often viscid, with a farinaceous (or starchy) odour.

The stipe (stem) grows to a length of between 6-10 cm and between 1-2.5 cm in diameter. The lower remains of the velum form a volva (sheath) around the basal bulb.

The white spores are smooth, elliptical, non-amyloid and 9.5-13 x 7-9.5 µm in size.

Habitat

A. pantherina is to be found in both deciduous and (less frequently) coniferous woodland throughout Europe, West Asia and North America. It is an ectomycorrhizal fungus, living in root symbiosis with a tree, deriving photosynthesised nutrients from it and providing soil nutrients in return.

Toxicity

Although not normally fatal, Amanita pantherina should be studied with caution. It can also be misidentified as Amanita gemmata.

External link

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• http://home.wanadoo.nl/abiemans/e_ama_pant.html

Basidiomycetes | Poisonous mushrooms

Muchomůrka tygrovaná | Pantherpilz | Amanite panthère | Amanita pantherina | Margoji musmirė | Panteramaniet | テングタケ | Muchomor plamisty | Muchotrávka tigrovaná | Amanita pantherina | Мухомор пантерний | Amanite pantere