Home > Fool's mushroom

Photo By James St. John

Fool's mushroom

Amanita verna

A species of Amanita mushrooms, Also known as Mushroom fool

The fool's mushroom is pure white, all the way to the gills and the stipe. This fungus, like all amanitas, has a volva. The fool's mushroom's cap is 5–10 cm (2–4 in) wide, and is about the same height. This mushroom's lamellae is free and white, and the volva is bag-like and large. Its annulus is white and membranous, and A. verna react yellow with 20% potassium hydroxide solution, unlike its relative Amanita phalloides var. alba while Amanita virosa gets an orangeyellow reaction. The mushroom's spores are smooth and elliptical.

General Info About Fool's mushroom

Instantly identify mushrooms with a snap

Snap a photo for instant mushroom ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on edible guidelines, toxicity, medical value, habitat, culture, and foraging techniques, etc.

Download the App for Free

Attributes of Fool's mushroom

Stem Cross Sections

Hollow or cottony hollow

Flesh Bruises

The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.

You can find Fool's mushroom by these plants:

Balsam fir, Quaking aspen, Shagbark hickory, Northern red oak, Overcup oak, White oak, Norway spruce

AI mushroom expert in your pocket

Scientific Classification of Fool's mushroom

Phylum

Club fungi

Class

Mushroom-forming fungi

Order

Gilled fungi

Family

Amanita

Genus

Amanita mushrooms

Toxicity and Edibility of Fool's mushroom

Mastering Mushroom Toxicity and Edibility

Unlock the Secrets of Mushroom Varieties, Edibility, Toxicity, and Safety Tips!

Download the App for Free

Is Fool's mushroom Toxic?

Fool's mushroom is a Hepatotoxic mushroom commonly found during spring in deciduous and coniferous forests. It's identifiable by a white cap and stalk, with a ring around the stalk and a rounded bag-like volva at the base. Consuming fool's mushroom can result in serious effects such as abdominal discomfort, weakness, circulatory failure, and potentially liver damage or heart failure.

Toxins type

Amatoxins, Phallotoxins, Virotoxins

Type of poisoning

Hepatotoxic

Toxic Severity

Extreme toxicity

Incubation Period

4-24 hours

Poisoning Symptoms

Early symptoms: abdominal cramps, nausea, weakness, vomiting, and dizziness, with potential for circulatory failure.

Later stages: calf and abdominal cramps, hepatitis, heart failure, bloody diarrhea, and liver damage.