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Amanita ocreata, commonly known as the death angel, destroying angel, angel of death or more precisely as the western North American destroying angel, is a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus in the genus Amanita. Occurring in the Pacific Northwest and California floristic provinces of North America, A. ocreata associates with oak trees. The fruit body (mushroom) is white overall, and has a cap 5–13 cm (2–5 in) across, a stipe 6–16 cm (2.4–6.3 in) long, and a prominent bulbous volva. It is classified in the Phalloideae section of the genus Amanita, along with other deadly poisonous species such as A. phalloides and A. virosa.
How to Identify
- Cap
- The cap is typically 5–13 cm in diameter, starting convex and flattening with age. The surface is smooth and can be slightly sticky when moist. The color is usually white but may have a slight ochre tint, especially in the center.
- Gills
- The gills are free, crowded, and white. They do not attach to the stem.
- Stem
- The stem is 6–16 cm long and 1–2 cm thick, white, and has a ring (annulus) and a volva at the base. The ring is fragile and may disappear with age. The volva is sac-like and prominent.
- Flesh
- The flesh is white and does not change color when bruised.
- Fruiting body
- The fruiting body of Amanita ocreata is a classic mushroom shape, with a cap, gills, and a stem. All parts of the mushroom are typically white, but the cap can have a slight ochre tint, especially towards the center.
- Habitat
- Amanita ocreata is found in the Pacific Northwest and California floristic provinces of North America. It associates with oak trees.
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Smooth, slightly sticky when moist
- Growth Form: Solitary to scattered
- Spore Print: White
- Body color: White, sometimes with ochre tint on cap
- Odor: Mild
- Flesh bruises: Does not bruise
- Height: 6-16 cm
- Cap Diameter: 5-13 cm
- Nutrient gathering: Mycorrhizal
Toxic
DeadlyAmanita ocreata is deadly poisonous and contains amatoxins, which cause liver failure and death. Even a small amount can be fatal.
Quick Check
- Odor: Mild, not distinctive
- Fruiting: Fall to winter
- Substrate: Oak woodlands
Where to Find
Pacific Northwest
Found in oak woodlands.
California
Common in coastal oak forests.
Finding Tips
Look near oak trees
Search for white mushrooms near oak trees, especially in the fall and winter.
Check for a volva
Carefully excavate around the base of the stem to check for a sac-like volva.
Similar Species
Amanita phalloides
Amanita
Also known as: Death Cap
Amanita virosa
Amanita
Also known as: European Destroying Angel
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Agaricales
- Family
- Amanitaceae
- Genus
- Amanita
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