amanita

American  

[am-uh-nahy-tuh, -nee-] / ˌæm əˈnaɪ tə, -ˈni- /

noun

1. any agaricaceous fungus of the genus Amanita, comprised chiefly of poisonous species.

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amanita British  

/ ˌæməˈnaɪtə /

noun

1. any of various saprotrophic agaricaceous fungi constituting the genus Amanita, having white gills and a broken membranous ring (volva) around the stalk. The genus includes several highly poisonous species, such as death cap, destroying angel, and fly agaric

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Etymology

Origin of amanita

1821; < New Latin < Greek amānîtai (plural) kind of fungi

Example Sentences

An exceptionally wet December has contributed to an abundance of death cap mushrooms, or Amanita phalloides, on the Central Coast and Northern California, causing what officials describe as an unprecedented outbreak of severe illness and death among people who consume the fungi.

From Los Angeles Times

The winter season has brought cold and wet conditions that are perfect for fungi like death cap mushrooms, or Amanita phalloides, to grow in California, experts say, but with that has come a rash of people mistakenly eating them thinking they’re safe.

From Los Angeles Times

It has a sac-like cup at the base of its bulb that is usually found under the soil — a sign it is in the Amanita genus which can be dangerous, Diaz said.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the first things a novice mycologist should learn, Diaz said, is to identify the Amanita genus and avoid it because of its dangerous lookalikes.

From Los Angeles Times

The species can be mistaken for edible mushrooms like Amanita caesarea, or Caesar’s mushroom, and the straw mushroom.

From Los Angeles Times