FOTD #138 : grey spotted amanita! (amanita excelsa var. spissa)
the grey spotted amanita is a basidiomycete fungus in the family amanitaceae. it often grows in coniferous & deciduous forests of both north america & europe :-) interestingly, the flesh turns purple when met with sulphuric acid !!
the big question : can i bite it??
urhm well- yes, technically it has been recorded as edible, but due to the high likelihood of confusing this fungus with the poisonous panther cap, it is not recommended for eating.
a. ecelsa var. spissa description :
"the cap is around 10 cm in diameter when fully expanded, & is various shades of brown or brown/grey, sometimes washing off to buff. younger specimens have grey veil remnants often in quite large, flat patches, but these are usually removed later by the weather. the mature stem is usually fairly long, & has a bulbous base which is without a discernible volva, having just several flaky ring zones instead. it is marked above the ring with vertical lines. the ring is large & white, & also has lines. the gills are crowded, white, & have a slight decurrent tooth. the flesh is white."
Avni stalked after a pirate ship, following after it from above the clouds. Occasionally she dip below the clouds to keep track of it, waiting to have a secret “meeting” with the ship’s captain. (For any female or genderbent muse @modernday-mages )
The ship’s captain was an older lady, old enough to be the mother of her all female crew. She smiled as one of her crewmates gave her an update on their route, nodding in response.