The caps of mature mushrooms also often have 1 or 2 large cracks running across them. [3] X Research source Death caps often have 1 or more patches of thin, white, veil-like tissue.
It’s safe to touch the mushroom directly without wearing gloves. The mushroom’s toxins can only harm you if you ingest them (but we recommend gloves, anyway). Mature paddy straw mushrooms have caps that are similar to death caps in size and shape, which can make it hard to differentiate them. [5] X Research source
A newly sprouted death cap may look like a dumpling with a white, smooth, faintly furry surface. [7] X Expert Source Michael Simpson, PhDRegistered Professional Biologist Expert Interview. 25 June 2021. Edible puffball mushrooms can sometimes look like death caps, making it tricky to identify edible mushrooms as opposed to poisonous ones. To check, slice open the mushroom. If it has a solid inside with no gills, it’s an edible puffball. [8] X Research source
Other amanitas mushrooms also have crowded gills beneath their caps, so the presence of gills alone isn’t a surefire indicator that the mushroom is a death cap. Use this as a clue, but be sure to rely on the other tells, as well. The paddy straw mushroom’s gills are pinkish brown, as opposed to the death cap’s white gills. Other mushrooms, such as those of the genus Agaricus, also have pink gills (although they turn brown as the mushrooms mature).
The stalk is typically a shade lighter in color than the cap itself. Death caps’ stalks are often also covered with a light layer of fine hairs. The edible Amanita caesarea mushroom has a yellow stem which is usually 2–3 inches (5. 1–7. 6 cm) shorter than that of the death cap mushroom. [11] X Research source
The volva may break away or fall apart over time, so if it isn’t present, the mushroom could still be an amanita mushroom. Paddy straw mushrooms also have a volva of roughly the same size, so finding a volva isn’t enough to guarantee that a mushroom is a death cap. [13] X Research source
If you dig up and handle the death cap mushroom, you may inadvertently destroy this delicate skirt membrane. If you happen across a very young death cap mushroom, you’ll notice that this skirt goes from the stem to the edges of the cap, covering the mushroom’s gills.
While you’re smelling the mushroom, do not taste or ingest any. While you won’t die if a tiny bit enters your mouth, you could still become seriously ill. Most other types of mushrooms do not have a potent odor.
Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after you’ve touched the death cap. If you eat before washing your hands, you may become ill from the mushroom’s toxins.
If you’re dealing with the harmless paddy straw mushroom instead of a death cap, you’ll see a pink spore print on the paper. Make sure that no kids or pets can get into the room where you’re collecting the spore print while the death cap is resting on paper overnight.
Death caps can commonly be found beneath oak and pine trees as well as some beech, birch, chestnut, and eucalyptus trees. That said, you may find death cap mushrooms in some grassy areas, although this is relatively uncommon.
Death caps also thrive in forested regions of southern Australia, specifically around the cities of Adelaide and Canberra. [20] X Research source
In North America and Europe, late summer through late fall would be from late August to late November. In Australia and South America, this would be from late February to late May.
