Foto © Marco Floriani - Maso Postel (Pergine Valsugana, TN), 18.VII.1997
Amanita excelsa
(Fr.) Bertillon
Amanita excelsa is a representative of sect. Validae, a group of species with smooth cap margin and amyloid spores. It is not rare in the Alps, where it can be collected both in broad-leaved and coniferous forests. It is a slender fungus, characterized by a lead grey cap, usually with only a few veil remnants. Stocky forms with more numerous verrucae on the cap have been distinguished as var. spissa; it is not clear, however, if this and other forms are really worth being given a formal rank. Amanita excelsa is a harmless species, which is considered as edible by several books, but caution must be used to avoid a dangerous exchange with the toxic Amanita pantherina. (m.f.)
