Source-reviewed species profile
Destroying angel Amanita virosa
A white, deadly poisonous amanita with white gills, a ring and a distinct volva at the stem base.
Where can I find destroying angel?
Grows in woodland, often associated with spruce and other trees.
In Mycoverse you can select Destroying angel and compare candidate search areas using a species-specific assessment of rainfall, estimated soil moisture, temperature, forest type, tree signals, canopy cover, terrain and season. Where source coverage is available, the assessment also uses historical species observations. Historical observations are historical data, not recent finds.
Images, text and app suggestions cannot confirm a species or food safety.
Field features
- The entire mushroom is usually white; the cap ranges from bell-shaped to expanded.
- Lift the entire stem base to see the bag-like volva.
Habitat and search guidance
Grows in woodland, often associated with spruce and other trees.
Months
June–November
Species requiring extra care
Compare the complete mushroom, habitat and season. These cards support learning; they do not identify a finding.
Young agarics and other white mushrooms
White mushrooms must never be assessed from cap colour alone.
Cultivated mushroom
Destroying angel has white gills and a bag-like volva; agaric gills turn pink to dark brown and it lacks a volva. Destroying angel is deadly poisonous.
Open and compare →Safety status
Deadly poisonous. Even small amounts may cause severe liver damage.
Sources and review status
Last reviewed: 25 July 2026.