Coker's Amanita
(Amanita cokeri)
sculpture, acrylic paint
by "Wildman"
Note the raised patches covering the mushroom
photo by "Wildman"
Note that the gills end before they reach the stem (free gills), typical of the amanitas (and of some edible genera as well!)
photo by "Wildman"
A large ring, grooved on top, surrounds the upper stalk.
The spindle-shaped stalk (see photo of sculpture, above), 5-8 inches long, roots into the ground (mushrooms, not being plants, don't have true roots). It's also covered with scales toward its base.
Note the three-dimensional patches on the cap and at the base of the stalk.
photo by "Wildman"
This mushroom appears in sandy habitats in the summer and fall in eastern North America. It is very likely quite poisonous, but no one has ever been dumb enough to find out (yet!)
There are close to 40 very similar, closely related amanitas, some growing on the west coast, and some which smell like chlorine, that you also should not eat.
Except for its patchiness, this very young and very dangerous amanita resembles a puffball.
photo by "Wildman"
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