The destroying angel of western North America, a white to ochre-tinged Amanita of coastal oak woodland that fruits in late winter and spring. It has a thin persistent ring and a large, thin, sac-like volva. It contains amatoxins, is among the most dangerous North American mushrooms, and has caused fatal poisonings in people and dogs.
Deadly poisonous: contains amatoxins (mainly alpha- and beta-amanitin), which shut down protein synthesis and destroy the liver. After initial gastrointestinal symptoms ease, liver failure follows; death typically comes 6-16 days after ingestion. Never eat white Amanitas. Seek emergency care at once if eaten.
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Habitat
Ectomycorrhizal in Pacific coast mixed woodland, mainly with coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), also hazel and, in Oregon and Washington, Garry oak; fruits roughly January to April.
Distribution
Western North America from Washington south through Oregon and California to Baja California, Mexico; not known from eastern North America.
Characteristics
Cap: 5-15 cm, hemispherical becoming convex to flat, white to yellowish white or ochre, often brownish at the center. Gills: crowded, white, adnexed to free. Stem: 6-20 cm long, 1-3 cm thick, white, with a thin membranous ring that persists. Volva: white, thin, smooth, sac-like, sometimes enclosing almost half the stem. Odor: usually none, sometimes of chlorine, dead fish or iodine. Chemical reaction: KOH turns flesh yellow. Spore print: white. Spores: 9-14 x 7-10 µm, subglobose to ellipsoid, amyloid.
