Amanita pantherina | Panther Cap

General Mycological Information

• Scientific Name: Amanita pantherina

• Common Names: Panther cap, panther mushroom

• Habitat: Coniferous and mixed forests

• Native Region: Europe, North America, and Asia

• Growing Season: Summer and autumn

Recognizing Amanita pantherina

• Cap: 5-15 cm in diameter, convex to flat, usually brown or grayish-brown with white or pale yellow warts.

• Gills: Free, white, and crowded.

• Stem: 5-15 cm tall, white, cylindrical, and often ringed.

• Spore Print: White.

Edibility and Toxicity

• Toxic: Amanita pantherina is highly poisonous and contains the toxin muscarine. Ingestion can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

Medicinal Applications

• None: Due to its toxicity, Amanita pantherina has no known medicinal applications.

Interesting Facts

• Toxicity: The toxicity of Amanita pantherina is primarily due to its muscarine content, which is a cholinergic agonist that mimics the effects of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

• Similar Species: Amanita pantherina can be easily confused with other edible Amanita species, such as Amanita rubescens and Amanita caesarea. Therefore, it is crucial to be absolutely certain of identification before consuming any wild mushrooms.

Sources for Further Reading

• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanita_pantherina

• MushroomExpert: https://www.mushroomexpert.com/amanita_pantherina.html