Amanita calyptroderma also known as coccora, coccoli or the Pacific amanita,[1] is a white-spored mushroom that fruits naturally in the Sierra Nevada mountains and coastal forests of the western United States during the fall, winter and spring.
Description
This mushroom's cap is about 10–25 centimetres (4–10 inches) in diameter, usually orange-brown in color (but sometimes white),[2] and partially covered by a thick white patch of universal veil. It has white, close gills.[3] Its cream-colored stalk is about 10–20 cm in length and 2–4 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄2 in) in width,[2] adorned with a partial veil. It has a partially hollow stem (filled with a stringy white pith), and a large, sacklike volva at the base of the stalk.[2]
The spores of this species, which are white,[2] do not change color when placed in a solution of Melzer's reagent, and thus are termed inamyloid.[3] This characteristic in combination with the skirt-like annulus and absence of a bulb at the base of the stalk place this mushroom in the sectionCaesareae.
Similar species
Amanita vernicoccora is a closely related edible species,[4] which fruits in hilly or mountainous areas from late winter to spring. Otherwise similar in appearance, its cap is yellow.[2]A. caesarea is also related and edible.[3]
This mushroom occurs in conifer forests,[3] forming 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).
Amanita calyptroderma in Oakland, California
Edibility
Experienced mushroom hunters regard this mushroom as a good edible species,[5] but caution must be exercised when collecting A. calyptroderma for the table, since it can be confused with other species in the genus Amanita.[2] This genus contains some of the deadliest mushrooms in the world, most notably A. phalloides and A. ocreata.
