Kingdom Fungi Class Agaricomycetes | Division Basidiomycota Order Agaricales Rank Species | |
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Similar Amanita velosa, Amanita pachycolea, Amanita ocreata, Amanita magniverrucata, Amanita arocheae | ||
Coccora amanita calyptroderma
Amanita calyptroderma also known as coccora or coccoli, is a white-spored mushroom that fruits naturally in the coastal forests of the western United States during the fall and winter.
Contents
- Coccora amanita calyptroderma
- Amanita calyptroderma fungi kingdom
- Description
- Distribution and habitat
- Edibility
- Related Species
- References
Amanita calyptroderma fungi kingdom
Description
This mushroom is recognized by its large, orange-brown cap partially covered by a thick patch of universal veil, its white gills and spores, its cream-colored stalk adorned with a partial veil, a partially hollow stem (filled with a stringy white pith), and by the presence of a large, sacklike volva at the base of the stalk.
The spores of this species do not change color when placed in a solution of Melzer's reagent, and thus are termed inamyloid. This characteristic in combination with the annulus and absence of a bulb at the base of the stalk place this mushroom in the Section Caesareae.
Distribution and habitat
This mushroom forms mycorrhizae with madrone (Arbutus menziesii) in the southern part of its range (Central California northwards to Washington). However, in the northern part of its range (Washington to southern Canada), its preferred host is Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii).
Edibility
Experienced mushroom hunters regard this mushroom as a good edible species, but caution must be exercised when collecting A. calyptroderma for the table, since it can be confused with other species in the genus Amanita. This genus contains some of the deadliest mushrooms in the world, most notably A. phalloides and A. ocreata.
Related Species
Amanita vernicoccora is a closely related taxon which was previously referred to as the "spring form" of Amamita calyptroderma.