The Amanita genus contains about 600 species of mushrooms. Within these species are some of the most toxic known mushrooms in the world. There are some known edible mushroom species within the genus as well. The scientific name likely comes from the Greek word “Amanus”, which is a mountain in Clilicia. Of the toxic species in the genus, the death cap may be the most notorious. Young Amanita phalloides can be mistaken for edible puffballs and the mature mushrooms can be mistaken for other edible mushrooms. That makes this species responsible for the majority of fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide. It only takes about 1.1 ounces, or half a cap, to kill a human. The toxins primarily affectthe liver, but they also attack the kidneys. After nausea, vomiting, jaundice, seizures, and coma, about 10-30% of people that ingest death caps will die.

Other members of the Amanita genus are as harmless as the plateful of pyramids lepidella, but there are still many toxic species. The destroying angels are a group of mushrooms that include: Amanita bisporigera, Amanita virosa, and Amanita ocreata. These are all-white mushrooms that cause irreversible damage to the liver and kidneys. The symptoms don’t typically appear until 5 to 24 hours after ingestion. There is also the Amanita verna, also known as the fool’s mushroom, that is deadly if ingested. It has similar symptoms to the death cap.