Volvariella speciosa (Fries: Fries) Singer
Lilloa 22 (1949): 401. 1951.

Common Name: none

Synonym: Volvariella gloiocephala

• Pileus

  Cap 6-14 cm broad, conic to oval becoming convex, nearly plane at maturity and usually umbonate; white to greyish, sometimes pale greyish-brown, disc darker; surface smooth, viscid when moist, shiny when dry; flesh white, soft; odor of radish.

• Lamellae

  Gills free, broad, close, white, becoming salmon-colored at maturity.

• Stipe

  Stipe 9-18 cm tall, 1.5-2 cm thick, equal, white to pale grey with a white, membranous volva; partial veil absent.

• Spores

  Spores 12-20 x 8-12 µm, smooth, elliptical. Spore print salmon-pink.

• Habitat

  Solitary, scattered, to gregarious on disturbed ground, e.g. cultivated fields, near compost heaps, lawns, and chip beds; especially common in areas landscaped with iceplant; fruiting from late winter to spring.

• Edibility

  Edible, of fair quality.

• Comments

  A handsome mushroom,Volvariella speciosa is sometimes mistaken for an Amanita because of its stature, free gills and volva. However, at maturity its salmon-colored gills and spores easily distinguish it from Amanita species.

• References

  Bas, C., Kyper, T.W., Noordeloos, M.E. & Vellinga, E.C. (1990). Flora Agaricina Neerlandica -- Critical monographs on the families of agarics and boleti occuring in the Netherlands. Volume 2. Pluteaceae, Tricholomataceae. A. A. Balkema: Rotterdam, Netherlands. 137 p.
  Bougher, N.L. & Syme, K. (1998). Fungi of Southern Australia. University of Western Australia Press: Nedlands, Australia. 391 p.
  Orton, P.D. (1986). British Fungus Flora: Agarics and Boleti. Vol 4. Pluteaceae: Pluteus & Volvariella. Royal Botanic Garden: Edinburgh, Scotland. 99 p.
  Shaffer, R.L. (1957). Volvariella in North America. Mycologia 49(4): 545-579.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Brother Alfred Brousseau: Volvariella speciosa (CP)
  • Tom Duffy: Volvariella speciosa (CP)
  • Tom Duffy: Volvariella speciosa (CP)
  • Boleslaw Kuznik: Volvariella speciosa (CP)
  • Boleslaw Kuznik: Volvariella speciosa (CP)
  • Fred Stevens: Volvariella speciosa (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Volvariella speciosa (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Volvariella speciosa (CP)
  • Agaricales of the Hawaiian Islands: Volvariella speciosa (CP)
  • Na Grzyby: Volvariella speciosa (D & CP)
  • Pilze, Pilze, Pilze: Volvariella gloiocephala (CP)
  • Mushroom Observer: Volvariella speciosa (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 259 (D), plate 68 (CP)
  • Arora (1991): p. 74 (D & CP)
  • Breitenbach & Kränzlin (vol. 4): sp. 130 (D, I, & CP) [Volvariella gloiocephala]
  • Jordan: p. 208 (D & CP)
  • Lincoff: p. 678 (D), plate 118 (CP)
  • McKenny et al.: p. 120 (D & CP)
  
  

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