Amanita velosa and
Amanita ocreata

Amanita ocreata: Posted on Yahoo Mushroom Discussion site by Mike 1/31/17
Mike said "First I've seen in the Bay Area. Just popping--the partial veil still intact"

From Post on Yahoo Mushroom site

Posted on Yahoo Groups Mushroom site by Mike 2/5/16

On one side of a path here in Pleasant Hill, CA there is a live oak tree which is a mecca for mushrooms including Amanita ocreata. Only a few feet away, on the other side of the path, is a live oak that produces many varieties of mushrooms including Amanita velosa. Occasionally they fruit at the same time. I've never (I've only been watching this spot for about 3 years, so who knows what might happen) seen an ocreata come up under the velosa tree, and have never seen a velosa come up under the ocreata tree. Go figure.
Mike

I don't use a hollow stem as a "feature." I wouldn't dare eat a velosa or coccora without a hollow stem, but hollow stems are common in A phalloides and A ocreata, at least when mature.

I agree that it's important to use a group of features, not just one or two, when collecting Amanitas for the table. Chad



Yes, they are. Ordinarily velosa stems are hollow, but the stems of ocreata are not. Also the base of the ocreata is usually enlarged, and velosa's base isn't. That's the point. When identifying Amanitas don't hang your hat on a single feature.
Mike
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With all the talk about these mushrooms lately I was hoping these photos might encourage people to share photos showing examples of each whose appearance has similarities to the other. If you have an ocreata whose cap color is reminiscent of a velosa for example, it would be great to see photos both sides of a lengthwise cross section showing the base, partial veil, etc.

I've added photos of the caps of the ocreata, and 2 different velosa. The cap of this ocreata has a halo like ring of color similar, but slightly more brownish than that of a velosa, but in all other respects it's anatomy is classic for an ocreata. The velosa was also classic in appearance (and delicious), but I'm interested in seeing photos of those with an unusual appearance, not text book specimens.

Mike
Post by Mike 2/22 with messagte
Here are a couple of photos of an A. velosa, and an A. ocreata found in the same location yesterday. The velosa is missing a cap patch of universal veil material, and the ocreata has a hollow stem, and narrow base.

Mike

3/18/16
Went back the spot where I found several A. Ocreata with narrow bases and one with a hollow stem hoping to find more, but found this instead.

Mike

Sam Schaperow sam.schaperow@gmail.com [MushroomTalk]

to MushroomTalk What a nice white!

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