Group of Fungi: Agarics

Family: Amanitaceae

Latin Name: Amanita flavoconia G.F. Atk.

Common Name: Yellow Patches

Description: Total height 2–6 in (5–15 cm); cap 1 1/4–3 in (3–7.5 cm) wide, bright yellow to orange and with small bright yellow "patches" (hence the common name) on upper surface; gills closely spaced, white or tinged yellow on edges; stalk 1 5/8–4 in (4–10 cm) long, 1/4–5/8 in (0.5–1.5 cm) in diameter, noticeably expanded at base, white to pale yellow; annulus present near top of stalk, white; volva present at base of stalk, fragile, yellow; spores white in mass.

Biological Role: Forms mycorrhizal associations with forest trees.

Habitat: On the ground under hemlocks and in mixed hardwood forests, particularly those containing oak.

Geographical Distribution: Found throughout eastern North America.

Comments: Because of its bright color, this fungus is usually easy to spot against the background of dead leaves on the forest floor. The much less common Amanita frostiana is very similar in appearance but has a cap with a striate margin. Amanita flavoconia belongs to a group of Amanitas known to be poisonous and thus should never be collected for human consumption.