It’s always nice to come across one of the most loved of all toadstools. I’m of course talking of the Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) from the Amanita genus. You’ve most probably seen it  illustrated in your favourite childhood nursery rhyme or story – or even a so called ‘Mario’ video game (gotta keep up with the times).

It was interesting to know it was initially used as a fly killer (hence the name I suppose). People would chop up the flesh and put chunks in milk on a saucer. This is irresistible to the horse fly and consequently they head straight towards their own demise. Poisoned, I believe.

This mushroom is in the same family of the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides) but is itself rarely fatal (you need to eat quite a few). It is not, as some people think, ‘THE’ Magic mushroom (or one of that kind) which are actually mushrooms of the Psilocybe family. But it is in fact a hallucinogenic. I, of course have never felt the urge to experiment – especially with the ones I’ve found (as you’ll see from the pictures). They all seem to be a snack stop for the bugs or are broken by passing animal traffic!

Anyway, I don’t feel the need to pick them, as they look great staying where they are, whatever their condition.

Another interesting point to anyone thinking of eating one of these (although I don’t recommend it) is that it is legal to ingest Amanita muscaria (in most countries), but illegal to ingest Magic mushrooms (Psilocybe family) in most countries as well. Depends if you want to stick on the straight and narrow I guess! Also be sure to look out for any Ceps (Boletus edulis) hanging around, as they sometimes grow nearby.

The best snap shots I have so far! Hopefully to replaced with better finds next year. (Note: New shots of younger Fly Agarics below).

The Fly Agaric's Red cap with white spots (veil remnants)

Two young Fly Agarics covered with remnants of the white veil.

Note: Bear in mind that extremely young examples of this mushroom growing up from the soil appear as small white puffballs. There has been a recent case of someone eating (what they thought as a white puffball of some description) and mildly hallucinating – but was generally fine – albeit with a bit of a scare! Also this toadstool can have it’s white spots removed by heavy rain making the cap appear smooth with the typical red/orange colours – which may sometimes be mistaken for a Russula species, but thankfully Red Russulas cause (non fatal) sickness anyway. So be ‘healthily’ suspicious of similar looking mushrooms.