Amanita augusta Bojantchev & R.M. Davis
NA Fungi 8(5): 2. 2013.

Common Name: none

Misapplied names: Amanita franchetii (Boudier) Fayod; Amanita aspera Fries

• Pileus

  Cap 4-12 cm broad, convex, expanding to plano-convex; margin incurved, becoming decurved, not striate or if so, obscurely; surface smooth, dry, light-brown, ochraceous-brown, to buff-brown, darkest at the disc with scattered yellowish to buff-brown warts; flesh soft, white to pale yellowish.

• Lamellae

  Gills close, adnexed to free, close, white, tinged yellowish near the cap margin.

• Stipe

  Stipe 5-15 cm long, 1-2 cm thick, stuffed, tapering to an enlarged, often bulbous base; surface whitish, sparsely pubescent or with scattered, flattened scales; partial veil membranous, cream-colored, forming a fragile, superior, skirt-like ring, the latter often with a yellowish margin; universal veil consisting of yellowish to grey warts or scales arranged concentrically on the basal bulb.

• Spores

  Spores 8-12 x 6-8 µm, elliptical, smooth, amyloid; spore print white.

• Habitat

  Solitary or in small groups in mixed hardwood/conifer woods; fruiting from late fall to mid-winter.

• Edibility

  Evidence is increasing that this is an edible species.

• Comments

  Amanita augusta has long been called Amanita franchetii in California, a species now known to be restricted to Europe. Amanita augusta is recognized by a brown to yellow brown cap with yellowish warts, a yellow margined annulus, and a scaly/warted volva. It is found regularly each season, but seldom in large numbers.

• References

  Arora, D. (1986). Mushrooms Demystified. Ten Speed Press: Berkeley, CA. 959 p.
  Bojantchev, D. & Davis, M. (2013). Amanita augusta, a new species from California and the Pacific Northwest. North American Fungi 8(5): 1-11. (PDF)
  Bunyard, B.A. & Justice, J. (2020). Amanitas of North America. The Fungi Press: Batavia, IL. 336 p.
  Desjardin, D.E., Wood, M.G. & Stevens, F.A. (2015). California Mushrooms: The Comprehensive Identification Guide. Timber Press: Portland, OR. 560 p.
  Jenkins, David T. (1986). Amanita of North America. Mad River Press: Eureka, CA. 197 p.
  Siegel, N. & Schwarz, C. (2016). Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast. Ten Speed Press: Berkeley, CA. 601 p.
  Smith, A.H. (1949). Mushrooms in their Natural Habitats. Sawyer's Inc: Portland, OR. 626 p. (PDF)
  Thiers, Harry D. (1982). The Agaricales (Gilled Fungi) of California. 1. Amanitaceae. Mad River Press: Eureka, CA. 53 p.
  

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  Main Photo
  • Michael Wood: Amanita augusta (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Amanita augusta (CP)
  • Terry Goyan: Amanita augusta (CP)
  • Boleslaw Kuznik: Amanita augusta (CP)
  • Boleslaw Kuznik: Amanita augusta (CP)
  • Terry Goyan: Amanita augusta (CP) — closeup of annulus and gills
  • Taylor F. Lockwood: Amanita augusta (CP) — young sporocarp
  • Mushroom Observer: Amanita augusta (CP)
  • Amanitaceae.org: Amanita augusta (D & CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 278 (D), plate 56 (CP) [as Amanita aspera]
  • Arora (1991): p. 80 (D & CP) [as Amanita aspera]
  • Lincoff: p. 526 (D), plate 145 (CP) [as Amanita aspera]
  • McKenny et al.: p. 33 (D), p. 32 (CP) [as Amanita aspera]
  • Phillips: p. 26 (CP), p. 27 (D) [as Amanita franchetii]
  • Thiers (1982): p. 17 (D) [as Amanita aspera]
  
  

  (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)