Species library · Mushrooms

Vermilion Amanita: poisonous

Amanita xanthocephala

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Vermilion Amanita is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. Have every wild mushroom checked by a qualified mushroom expert before eating it.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from January to December in the northern hemisphere. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Vermilion Amanita (Amanita xanthocephala)

Photo: (c) Miguel de Salas, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Miguel de Salas · iNaturalist

When Vermilion Amanita appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Look up Vermilion Amanita in the app

In the Forage app, Vermilion Amanita has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Vermilion Amanita: common questions

Is Vermilion Amanita poisonous?

Yes. Vermilion Amanita is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Vermilion Amanita appear?

Vermilion Amanita usually appears from January to December in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

What can Vermilion Amanita be confused with?

Toxic look-alikes: Fly agaric, Gemmed amanita, Yellow patches. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by a qualified mushroom expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits