Destroying Angel
Amanita virosa
Family: Amanitaceae
Overview
Pure white European destroying angel — same amatoxins as A. phalloides. All white: cap, gills, ring, stem, and volva. Birch and conifer associate of northern Europe and the boreal. Often mistaken by beginners for a white meadow mushroom.
Edibility
Deadly poisonous
Rarity
common
Trophic mode
mycorrhizal
Host trees & substrate
- Local forest substrate
Key identification features
- Entirely white — cap, gills, stem, volva
- Sack-like white volva at buried base
- White spore print
See live fruiting predictions for Destroying Angel on the forecast home page, or browse the full field guide.
Always confirm wild-mushroom identification with multiple sources and a knowledgeable local expert before consuming. Read the foraging safety guide.