Western Panther Amanita
This handsome mushroom is worth getting to know as it is likely the leading cause of mushroom poisoning in the Pacific Northwest. It is a highly toxic but seldom deadly species containing muscimol and ibotenic acid as the main toxins. It also has small quantities of muscarine. Poisoning symptoms develop usually within two hours and include nausea, vomiting, cramps, muscle twitching or spasms, delirium, visual hallucinations, incoordination, drowsiness, and loss of consciousness. Treatment is supportive and symptoms usually pass within twelve hours of onset. The species is smaller than most Amanitas, with tall stalks that are longer than the cap is broad. Caps may reach four inches across. They are light to dark brown with scattered cottony white warts that are easily washed away. The gills are close and not attached to the stalk. The stalks are up to 5 inches, bulbous at the base and tapering upwards, white, with a superior veil that may disappear easily. Veil remnants leave a rimmed volva at the base and sometimes cottony remnants on the stalk. It fruits abundantly in the spring, typically beneath conifers but forms mycorrhizal relationships with a variety of other trees also. It can be found in lesser numbers in the summer and fall when conditions are right.