Amanita rubescens
Blusher
Names
Scientific: Amanita rubescens
English: Blusher
Description
This fungus is related to some of the seriously toxic species and learning the main features that characterize the Amanita genus is important. All Amanita species have white spore prints and gills that do not actually join onto the stem - this is called having 'free' gills. Amanita species also have some kind of veil remains, sometimes just a universal veil mostly visible as a volva at the base of the stem and sometimes leaving spots on the cap - find out how the toadstool gets its spots. Be aware that these spots on the cap can wash off in heavy rain. Amanitas often, but not always, also have a partial veil which leaves varying amounts of a skirt like structure or 'ring' half way up the stem.
Amanita rubescens has both sorts of veil remaining, a ring, a volva and spots on the reddish brown cap (definitely not greyish brown). Sometimes you will find a variety of the Blusher that has a yellow ring on the stem. It gets its common name 'Blusher' because it's flesh reddens wherever it is damaged the only Amanita to do this.
All Amanita species are mycorrhizal which means that they will occur with trees. Don't forget that fungi growing in grass can actually be associating with the roots of a tree several metres away.
Amanita rubescens is a common species through out the UK and it grows under several different species of tree, including birch, oak, beech and pine. It is often one of the first of the autumn species to appear and can be seen pushing through the soil as early as April in the Western Isles and the end of May or June in mainland Scotland. It is mostly recorded from August - October tailing off quickly in November.
As with others in this genus, when they are very young, Amanita rubescens could be mistaken for a rather warty looking puffball as it is entirely enclosed in its white universal veil. Cutting through this structure will reveal the immature cap, gill and stipe areas all ready to expand into a mature Blusher.
It is not one of the deadly Amanitas but it does contain haemolytic compounds which break up red blood cells and cause damage in the human body. It is said that cooking destroys these compounds but we do not recommend that you try this species to eat.
Please remember to submit your records to your local recording group or via the Scottish Fungi online recording form.