Volvariella speciosa
The large grey-brown, smooth, sticky cap, long stem with no ring, sheathing sac at the stem's base and pink spore print are the major features of Volvariella speciosa. Literally: {a} showy {fungus with a} little volva. (Volvarius [L.] - having a volva or sheath; speciosa [L.] - beautiful, showy.)
The cap is usually 3-12cm diameter. Whitish, smoky-grey or grey-brown, darker at centre. Globose when young, then broadly conical becoming flat with an umbo. Viscid [sticky] when wet, drying smooth and shiny. Detaches easily from stipe.
The gills are Whitish, becoming light brownish-pink. Free from stipe. Crowded.
The stem is usually 3.5-20cm tall, up to 2cm thick. White to grey-brown. Tapering upwards from a bulbous base. Slightly fibrous. Solid. No ring.
The Volva is White. Like a loose sack, with a torn margin, around base of stem. Disintegrating with age.
Spore print is salmon pink.
This species has been sighted in Barrington Tops National Park as well as parks and forests around Sydne's north shore.
It has been described as occurring in North America and Europe As well as Australia, and some books describe it as edible. As it can be easily confused wth an amanita, thisn s not something I would recommend.
Spores broadly elliptic, 13–18 x 8–10um. Habitat on well-manured groud, compost heaps and rotting straw. Season summer to autumn.
Volvariella speciosa
- Volvariella speciosa, Armond's Beach, Far South Coast of NSW near Bermagui, Barraga Bay, on sand in mature eucalypt and
Volvariella speciosa
- Volvariella speciosa, Armond's Beach, Far South Coast of NSW near Bermagui, Barraga Bay, on sand in mature eucalypt and
Volvariella speciosa
- Volvariella speciosa Twin Creeks Walk, Turramurra, Sydney, March 15 2010. Note the pink blush to the gills.
