Scientific Name
Amanita chlorinosma
Common Name
Chlorine Lepidella
Anatomy of a Mushroom

Plant Pathology Information Note

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

Characteristics

Mushroom Description
CAP very large, up to 10 inches in diameter, whitish, covered with dense, soft, powdery scales which may wash off easily in rain. GILLS close, whitish, with cottony edges. STALK greatly enlarged below, often with the lower 1/3 - _ buried in soil, whitish; ANNULUS (ring), fragile, whitish, often left on edge of caps with no tissue in the stalk. SPORE PRINT white. Strong chlorine odor especially when broken open or enclosed in a container for some time.
Origin
USA, NC
Distribution
Throughout NC but chiefly in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.
Where Found
Forest or natural area, landscape. Singly, usually under oaks.
Mode
Ingestion
Poisonous Part
Mushroom
Symptoms
Strongly suspected to be toxic. Apparently little has been documented on this specific species but it is expected to produce symptoms similar to other Amanita species: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pains, etc. Symptoms occur 30 minutes to several hours after ingesting.
Edibility
NOT EDIBLE!
Comments
The large size, powdery cap, enlarged base of the stalk and strong chlorine odor make this easily recognized. There are other species of Amanita that have a chlorine odor but have more persistent scales and an annulus (ring) on the stalk. All such Amanitas should be avoided.
Severity
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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