Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita, is a basidiomycete of the genus Amanita. It is a large white-gilled, white-spotted, and usually red mushroom.
Amanita muscaria
Showing the partial veil under the cap dropping away to form a ring around the stipe
Cross section of fruiting body, showing pigment under skin and free gills
Amanita muscaria var. formosa is now a synonym for Amanita muscaria var. guessowii.
The genus Amanita contains about 600 species of agarics, including some of the most toxic known mushrooms found worldwide, as well as some well-regarded edible species. The genus is responsible for approximately 95% of fatalities resulting from mushroom poisoning, with the death cap accounting for about 50% on its own. The most potent toxin present in these mushrooms is α-Amanitin.
Amanita
A. phalloides, the death cap
A. caesarea (edible)
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric, contains the psychoactive compound ibotenic acid.