About this fungus
Mesoamerican Dark-volva Blusher is a fungus in the Amanitaceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.
A robust brown-capped Amanita that develops pinkish to reddish staining when damaged.
What to check
Check for free white gills, a stem ring, a basal volva or veil remnants, and reddening in the flesh. Photograph the intact stem base before handling.
Variation
Cap colour and the amount of veil material vary with age and weather. Bruising may develop slowly.
Lookalikes
Several blushing Amanita species overlap closely. Pale or weathered specimens can also resemble dangerous Amanita species.
Habitat and range
Reported from Mesoamerican montane woodland, particularly oak and pine-oak habitats. It should not be projected globally from photographs.
Food safety
Inedible.
Photographs
Photo: Teodoro Chivatá Bedoya · CC BY 4.0
Photo: Teodoro Chivatá Bedoya · CC BY 4.0