One of the most iconic and distinctive of British fungi, fly agaric, with its red cap and white spots, is renowned for its toxicity and hallucinogenic properties.
- Scientific Name: Amanita muscaria (L.) Lam.
- Common name(s): fly agaric, fly mushroom
- Synonym(s): Agaricus imperialis, Agaricus nobilis, Amanitaria muscaria
- Conservation Status: Not considered to be of conservation concern. Widespread, and frequent to common throughout its range.
- Habitat: In woodland, or beside isolated trees. Ectomycorrhizal (forming a relationship with tree roots) especially with species of Betula (birch) and Pinus (pine), and occasionally with other tree species.
- Key Uses: Religious and recreational uses related to its hallucinogenic properties. Insect pest control. Medicinal uses. Forms a food source for some fly larvae.
- Known hazards: Contains small amounts of the toxin muscarine, which causes sweat-inducing poisoning. Also contains the alkaloids muscimol, ibotenic acid and muscazone, causing psychotropic poisoning, which may be severe in some cases, although deaths are very rare.
For more details:
http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Amanita-muscaria.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment