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European destroying angel Amanita virosa
deadly poisonous
Young, closed Agaricus mushrooms look like it; it has pure white gills and a sac-like volva.
View on the mapIdentification in 5 steps
The prince is a very large Agaricus with golden-brown scales on a yellowish background that smells of aniseed or bitter almond. It grows mainly in spruce woods.
SeasonJune to October
Spore printchocolate brown
FamilyAgaricaceae
- Cap. The cap is 10 to 25 cm wide, with golden-brown to red-brown fibrous scales, and yellows when pressed.
- Underside. The gills are free, pale grey to pink when young, later chocolate brown.
- Stem, ring and volva. The stem is long and sturdy, white, flaky below the large, hanging ring, with no volva.
- Smell and taste. It smells of aniseed or bitter almond.
- Flesh and colour change. The flesh is white and turns yellowish to rusty when cut.
Lookalikes
Aniseed Agaricus mushrooms accumulate cadmium; eat only in moderation.
Yellow stainer Agaricus xanthodermus
poisonous
It smells of ink, and the stem base turns chrome yellow when cut.
View on the mapInky mushroom Agaricus moelleri
poisonous
It has grey scales and smells of ink.
View on the mapHabitat & Season
Conifer litter, nutrient-rich soils. From the lowlands up into the hills and mountains.
Host trees
Spruce, less often broadleaf trees; also parks and gardens.
Season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
possible good main season
Mainly in summer.
Mushroom regions with a daily forecast
There are no records per region for this species yet. The country pages lead to all regions with a daily forecast.
Chance near you
How good are the chances of finding this species where you are right now? We calculate it from weather, soil moisture, altitude and forest at your location.
Safety
Never eat a mushroom you have not identified with certainty. For experienced foragers only: heed the restrictions, and if in doubt, do not eat it.
Advice for your country
Ireland
Poison centre:
National Poisons Information Centre (public line)(01) 809 2166
Emergency: 112 · 999
Germany
Poison centre:
Emergency: 112
Mushroom advice: DGfM: find a mushroom expert. Certified mushroom experts of the German Mycological Society (DGfM).
Collecting rules: Mushrooms that are not specially protected may be collected in small quantities for personal use unless a protected area or ban applies. Certain specially protected edible species (e.g. cep, chanterelle, birch bolete) may be collected in small quantities for personal use.
Austria
Poison centre:
Vergiftungsinformationszentrale (VIZ)01 406 43 43
Emergency: 112 · 144
Mushroom advice: Austrian Mycological Society (ÖMG): mushroom advice. Mushroom advice by the Austrian Mycological Society or regional services such as municipal market offices.
Collecting rules: At most 2 kg of mushrooms per person per day unless the forest owner has prohibited collecting; organised collecting events are prohibited. Additional state rules apply (collecting hours, closed seasons), e.g. Carinthia, Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Salzburg.
Conservation and collecting rules
Not specially protected.
No species-specific rule known.
Red List Germany: Least concern
In the kitchen
Fried, as schnitzel, in sauces. Cook thoroughly.
Possible. Eat only in moderation (cadmium).
- Never eat wild mushrooms raw, and always cook them for at least 15 minutes.
- Use only young, fresh, maggot-free specimens that you have identified with certainty.
- Carry mushrooms in an airy basket, not in plastic bags, and prepare them the same day.
Frequently asked questions
The prince: is it edible?
Only with restrictions. Aniseed Agaricus mushrooms accumulate cadmium; eat only in moderation. Cook thoroughly.
The prince: when and where does it grow?
In central Europe the season runs from June to October. Mainly in summer. Tree partners and habitat: Spruce, less often broadleaf trees; also parks and gardens. Soil: Conifer litter, nutrient-rich soils. Elevation: From the lowlands up into the hills and mountains.
The prince: what are the lookalikes?
The most important distinction is from European destroying angel (Amanita virosa, deadly poisonous): Young, closed Agaricus mushrooms look like it; it has pure white gills and a sac-like volva. Other lookalikes: Yellow stainer, Inky mushroom.
Related species
- Horse mushroom Agaricus arvensis
- Pavement mushroom Agaricus bitorquis
- Field mushroom Agaricus campestris
- Blushing Wood Mushroom Agaricus sylvaticus
- Parasol mushroom Macrolepiota procera
- Lawyers' wig Coprinus comatus
Sources
- Riesen-Champignon (Wikipedia DE)
- GBIF: Agaricus augustus Fr.
- Index Fungorum Record 205947
- Rote-Liste-Zentrum: Großpilze Deutschlands (Dämmrich et al. 2016)
- ÖMG: Pilzschutzbestimmungen in Österreich (Stand 29.01.2021)
- RIS: Forstgesetz 1975 § 174
- DGfM: Giftpilze und Pilzvergiftungen
- DGfM: Giftnotrufe in Deutschland, Europa und der Schweiz
- Gesundheitsportal Österreich: Vergiftung durch Pilze, VIZ 01 406 43 43
Photo credits
- Photo: USFWS - Pacific Region · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
- European destroying angel: Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Bernypisa assumed (based on … · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
- Yellow stainer: Photo: Copyright ©2011 Byrain (Mushroom Observer) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Inky mushroom: Photo: Danny Cicchetti · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
No substitute for having your finds checked in person. No guarantee of accuracy. Updated: 17.10.2026.