Content
The royal fly agaric is a hallucinogenic poisonous mushroom, common in the north and center of the temperate climate zone of the European continent. A bright representative of the Amanitaceae family is known in the scientific world as Amanita regalis. Nature lovers perceive it as an intensely colored aesthetic element of the green forest carpet.
Description of the royal fly agaric
You need to know about an inedible mushroom so as not to mistakenly put it in a basket along with other gifts of the forest. Consumption of this type carries mortal danger.
Description of the cap
The royal fly agaric has a large cap, from 5 to 25 cm. Features of the appearance of the cap of a young mushroom:
- spherical;
- the edges are attached to the leg;
- yellowish-white flakes are densely located on the surface of the skin.
These shapeless formations are the remains of the blanket with which the young fruiting body of the royal mushroom was wrapped. Scraps of it are easily washed off from the top of the cap, on young mushrooms they turn white in the sun, on old ones they become gray-yellow.
As it grows, the cap opens up to be slightly convex or completely flat, sometimes with a slightly depressed center. It happens that the ribbed edge rises up. The skin of the royal fly agaric is yellow-brown - from light on old mushrooms to intense terracotta color on young mushrooms. The middle has a more saturated tone.
The bottom of the cap is lamellar, white. Old fly agaric mushrooms have numerous wide plates that are yellowish or have a creamy tint. Initially, the plates grow to the leg, then they tear away from it. White spore powder.
On the fracture of the fruiting body of the royal fly agaric, fleshy, white pulp is visible, the smell is not pronounced. When the thin skin is lightly peeled off, the flesh just underneath is golden yellow or ochreous. When exposed to air, the pulp does not change its color.
Description of the leg
The stem is as large as the cap, height from 6 to 25 cm, thickness 1-3 cm. In young mushrooms it is ovoid or spherical. Then it stretches out, grows upward, the base remains thickened. The surface is fibrous, covered with a velvety white coating, under which the color of the stem is yellowish or yellowish-brown.In old royal fly agarics, the cylindrical leg becomes hollow. Like all representatives of the genus, the leg has a thin white ring, often torn, with a brownish-yellow border. Volva, part of the bedspread from below, grows to the leg. Warty in appearance, formed by two or three rings at the base of the fruiting body.
Where and how does it grow
Royal fly agarics are found in deciduous and coniferous forests, spruce and pine forests, mixed forests growing on mosses and grass. Mycorrhiza most often forms in symbiosis with the roots of birch, pine and spruce trees, but there are inedible mushrooms under other species. In Europe, the species is distributed mainly in the north and center of the continent. It’s the same in Russia - the royal fly agaric is not found in the southern regions. Representatives of the species have been recorded in Alaska and Korea. Royal fly agarics appear from mid-July and grow until the first frost. Mushrooms can be seen singly or in groups. The species is considered quite rare.
Doubles and their differences
When going into the forest with a basket, they carefully study inedible mushrooms, including a description and photo of the royal fly agaric.
Comment! The species is so different from edible mushrooms that its members cannot be confused. But errors often occur among inexperienced mushroom pickers who encounter young or even adult specimens that have undergone transformations such as the loss of a ring or remnants of a cover.
The royal fly agaric is sometimes confused with other species of the genus Amanita:
- red;
- panther;
- grey-pink.
It is especially easy to confuse with red. From a distance, both species are similar to each other, and some microbiologists consider the royal subspecies of the red one. The royal fly agaric differs from the red fly agaric in the following ways:
- the various tones of yellow-brown color of the cap do not approach the intense red hue;
- there are yellowish flakes on the stem that the red one does not have.
Depending on where it appears, the royal species may emerge with a pale reddish cap, making it similar to the conventionally edible grey-pink, quite commonly collected and popular for its pleasant taste. They are distinguished by the following parameters:
- in the pink variety, the flesh turns red when cut;
- whitish plates turn red after touching;
- the ring is pale pink.
The panther fly agaric with a brownish or gray-olive skin, especially toxic, can be a double of the royal fly agaric also due to a change in the color of the cap. But there are other differences:
- the flesh under the skin is white;
- it is brittle and watery, has an unpleasant smell, similar to rare;
- the volva is clearly cupped;
- there is no yellow or brown-yellow border at the bottom of the ring.
Is the royal fly agaric edible or poisonous?
Due to the presence of a number of toxic substances, mushrooms should not be eaten in any form. Accidental consumption of the species can be fatal.
Can the royal fly agaric cause hallucinations?
The entry of toxic substances into the human body not only causes a general toxic effect, but also affects the nervous system and makes it difficult to perceive the outside world. Contact with the victim is almost impossible due to the inhibition of thought processes.
Symptoms of poisoning, first aid
Unpleasant sensations in the gastrointestinal tract appear after 30-90 minutes or several hours. Severe colic, salivation and vomiting are accompanied by dizziness and pain in the head.Later, a disorder of the nervous system, hallucinations, and convulsions are observed.
First aid consists of flushing the gastrointestinal tract and transporting the victim to the hospital. The patient needs to be warmed with a warm blanket and heating pads.
Application of the royal fly agaric
It is believed that forest dwellers eat poisonous mushrooms to get rid of parasites. The antibacterial and antiparasitic effects of toxins are used by healers. Only specialists can use fly agaric treatment.
Conclusion
The royal fly agaric is rare. The poisonous mushroom can be admired and avoided. Any independent treatment threatens serious disruption of the body’s functioning.
