MushieDestroying angel (Amanita virosa)
Deadly
The destroying angel is a pure white Amanita with a ring and a sac at the base. It is deadly poisonous.
| Scientific name | Amanita virosa |
|---|---|
| Other names | Kegelhütiger Knollenblätterpilz · Amanite vireuse |
| Family | Amanitaceae |
| Season | Jul – Oct |
| Habitat | Damp conifer and mixed woods, often with birch |
| Range | Europe (related species A. bisporigera and A. ocreata in North America) |
| Spore print | White |
| Smell | Sickly sweet, unpleasant with age |
How to identify Destroying angel
| Cap | Pure white, conical to bell-shaped, 5–10 cm, smooth |
|---|---|
| Underside | White gills, free from the stem |
| Stem | White and shaggy, with a delicate ring and a loose sac-like volva at the base |
| Smell | Sickly sweet, unpleasant with age |
| Spore print | White |
Is Destroying angel edible or poisonous?
Deadly. Contains amatoxins like the death cap. Can cause fatal liver failure after a delayed onset of symptoms.
Destroying angel look-alikes
Often confused with white button mushrooms, field mushrooms and horse mushrooms, which have pink to brown gills as they mature, never white gills.
When does Destroying angel grow?
Destroying angel is typically found Jul – Oct in damp conifer and mixed woods, often with birch. See other mushrooms in season:
Frequently asked questions
Is Destroying angel edible?
No. Destroying angel (Amanita virosa) is deadly poisonous. Contains amatoxins like the death cap. Can cause fatal liver failure after a delayed onset of symptoms. Never eat it, and call emergency services or a poison centre if you think someone has.
What does Destroying angel look like?
Pure white, conical to bell-shaped, 5–10 cm, smooth. Underside: white gills, free from the stem. Stem: white and shaggy, with a delicate ring and a loose sac-like volva at the base.
What are the look-alikes of Destroying angel?
The main look-alike is Field mushroom (Agaricus campestris). Often confused with white button mushrooms, field mushrooms and horse mushrooms, which have pink to brown gills as they mature, never white gills.
When and where does Destroying angel grow?
Destroying angel is usually found from Jul to Oct. Habitat: damp conifer and mixed woods, often with birch. Range: Europe (related species A. bisporigera and A. ocreata in North America).
Found something like destroying angel?
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Related species
Sources and credits: written from standard field-guide references. Further reading: Wikipedia: Amanita virosa. Last updated 2026-10-22. Editorial policy.