Fly Agaric

Amanita muscaria

Also known as: Fly Amanita

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Edibility poisonous

Phylum Basidiomycota

Family Amanitaceae

Conservation Least Concern - common and widespread

Complete Taxonomy

Kingdom: Fungi

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Agaricales

Family: Amanitaceae

Genus: Amanita

Species: A. muscaria

Description

Amanita muscaria is one of the most iconic and recognizable mushrooms in the world, featuring a bright red cap dotted with white warts. Despite its fairy-tale appearance, it is poisonous and psychoactive. The mushroom has deep cultural significance across Northern Europe and Siberia, where it has been used in shamanic rituals for millennia.

Physical Characteristics

Cap Shape: Hemispherical becoming convex to plane

Cap Color: Bright red to orange-red with white to yellowish warts (remnants of universal veil); 8-20 cm diameter

Size: 8-20 cm diameter

Gill Attachment: Free, white to cream

Spore Print: White

Stipe: White, 8-20 cm tall, with bulbous base and white ring

Habitat: Mycorrhizal with birch, pine, spruce in boreal and temperate forests

Fruiting Season: Summer to autumn

Distribution

Circumboreal in Northern Hemisphere; introduced to Southern Hemisphere with pine plantations

Habitat

Forms ectomycorrhizal associations with birch, pine, and spruce in temperate and boreal forests, often in acidic soils.

Ecological Role

Forms essential ectomycorrhizal partnerships with boreal and temperate forest trees, particularly birch, pine, and spruce. Facilitates nutrient and water uptake for host trees.

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Contains psychoactive compounds muscimol and ibotenic acid. Causes nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, hallucinations, and delirium. Rarely fatal but can cause serious poisoning. Toxicity varies by region, season, and preparation.

Medicinal & Nutritional Properties

Muscimol acts as GABA receptor agonist
Used traditionally in shamanic practices in Siberia
Not recommended for any medical use due to toxicity
Research into muscimol for treatment of anxiety and epilepsy (controlled studies only)

Cultural Significance

Central to Siberian shamanic traditions. Possibly the soma of ancient Vedic texts. Inspired Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Common in Christmas imagery and fairy tale illustrations. Sacred to some indigenous peoples of Siberia.

Fascinating Facts

Name "muscaria" derives from its historical use as insecticide mixed with milk
Reindeer are attracted to this mushroom and may become intoxicated
Siberian shamans reportedly consumed urine of those who ate the mushroom to experience effects
The iconic toadstool of video games, notably Super Mario Bros.
Vikings possibly used it before battle (berserker theory, debated)
Warts can wash off in heavy rain, making identification challenging