Amanita calyptrata var. albescens - Amanitaceae.org - Taxonomy and Morphology of Amanita and Limacella
[print] [map]
name Amanita calyptrata var. albescens
name status insufficiently known
author Peck
english name "Pallid Slender Caesar"
intro The following description is derived from the original description of A. calyptrata var. albescens and the type study of the taxon by Jenkins (1978a).
cap The cap of Amanita calyptrata var. albescens is approximately 60 mm wide, whitish, plano-convex to planar, and has a distinctly striate margin.  The volva is present as a large membranous patch, covering most of cap.
gills The gills are free, crowded, and have even edges.
stem The hollow stem is approximately 120 × 13 mm and tapers upward slightly.  The ring is membranous.  The saccate volva is membranous, large, thick, and lobed.
odor/taste Neither the odor nor the taste of this mushroom were recorded.
spores The available spore data for this fungus comes from the study of the type collection by Jenkins (1978a) are as follows.  The spores are 12.5 - 13.0 × 9.0 - 10.0 µm, ellipsoid, and inamyloid.  Spores from Canadian material possibly assignable to the taxon sent to RET by Yves Lamoureux are as follows: 10.8 - 13.0 (-14.5) × (8.0-) 8.2 - 10.2 (-10.5) µm.
discussion The original habitat information was not recorded.  This taxon is known only from its type collection.

Because Peck's use of the term "white" was very inclusive compared to modern usage, we are inclined to make a comparison of the present fungus to A. murrilliana Singer.  The latter tends to have brownish tones in the center of the cap and a whitish margin of varying width.  However, the spores are distinctly narrower in A. murrilliana than in the present taxon.

Jenkins' type study is somewhat ambivalent with regard to relevant microscopic characters.  Therefore the type will have to be reexamined.  RET is very interested in obtaining material which may represent the present taxon.—R. E. Tulloss and L. Possiel
brief editors RET

[top]