Amanita variabilis - Amanitaceae.org - Taxonomy and Morphology of Amanita and Limacella
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name Amanita variabilis
name status nomen acceptum
author E.-J. Gilbert & Cleland
english name "Variable Amanita"
intro

Following description based on Reid (1980).

cap The cap of Amanita variabilis is 37 mm wide, convex, and white; its flesh is white except near the gills where it may be brown and almost translucent.
gills

The gills are adnexed, creamy-white, and close.

stem

The stem is 37 × 9 mm, finally hollow, 20 mm wide bulb, short, sometimes fibrillose, with no volval remnants.  A marked skirt-like ring is present.  The flesh is white with a translucent brown pith in the center.  The white of the bulb turns slightly brownish.

odor/taste

The odor is "rather strong."

spores

The spores measure 6.5 - 9.0 × 4.8 - 6.0 µm and are broadly ellipsoid to ovate and amyloid.

discussion

This species was originally described from the state of South Australia.  No ecological information was provided. Amanita variabilis is known only from the type collection from the National Park in South Australia.

Reid observes that Gilbert's comparison of this species to Amanita brunnescens G. F. Atk. is not appropriate. In my opinion, the water-soaked appearance of the stipe's "pith" and the watery marks between the cap and gills also in the original collector's notes indicate that the fruiting body had been soaked by rain.  These characteristics are not uncommon with amanitas in those circumstances.—R. E. Tulloss

brief editors RET

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