Fly agaric Vittadini (Saproamanita vittadinii)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
- Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
- Family: Amanitaceae (Amanitaceae)
- Genus: Saproamanita
- Species: Saproamanita vittadinii (Amanita Vittadini)
Synonyms:
Agaricus vittadinii
Amanita vittadinii
Armillaria vittadinii
Aspidella vittadinii
Lepidella vittadinii
Lepiota vittadinii
Fly agaric Vittadini (Saproamanita vittadinii) has a white, less often greenish or brownish cap with a diameter of 4-14 cm. The remains of the bedspread are densely scaly-prickly; scales are usually noticeably raised above the surface of a cap with a 4-6-angular base, always lagging behind the skin along the periphery. The plates are white, free. Stem cylindrical, white, darker narrowed towards the base, with a smooth or slightly striated ring. The vagina is missing. Although young mushrooms are enclosed in a common volva, however, with further growth at the base of the fruiting body, it completely disappears, its traces remain on the surface of the cap and along the entire length of the leg in the form of scales. A smooth or slightly striped ring is located on the stem. The vagina quickly disappears and is only noticeable in very young specimens. Spore powder is white. Spores 9-15 x 6.5-11 microns, irregularly ellipsoidal, smooth, amyloid.
LOCATION
It is found in some southern and southeastern steppe regions of Russia. It was found in the protected virgin steppes of Ukraine, in the Stavropol region, in the steppe areas of the Saratov region, in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and other places. Distributed in Europe, characteristic of a relatively warm climate: from the British Isles to Italy, east to Ukraine. There are many reports of the finding of the fly agaric Vittadini in Asia (Israel, Transcaucasia, Central Asia, the Far East), North America (Mexico), South America (Argentina), Africa (Algeria). Grows in forest-steppe, steppes, near forest belts.
In southern Europe, this mushroom is considered a very rare species.
SEASON
Amanita Vittadini grows from April to October on various soils. Spring - autumn.
SIMILAR SPECIES
Similar to the deadly white fly agaric (Amanita verna), which have a pronounced vagina, are smaller and grow in the forest. It can also be confused with white umbrellas, which is not dangerous.
FOOD QUALITY
Young mushrooms are edible, taste and smell pleasant, but due to the danger of confusion with deadly poisonous species, it is better to refrain from eating them. Moreover, the mushroom is very rare. Probably because of this, it is sometimes declared as mildly poisonous.