Lepiota helveola

Foto © Giancarlo Partacini - Levico (TN), X.2003

Lepiota helveola

Bres.

This potentially deadly toxic species (it contains amanitins) gives its name to a group of small to medium sized Lepiota species (section Helveolae, subsection Helveolinae), all of which are considered toxic and highly dangerous. The following characters may aid to recognize it: quite stout size, abundant, white to off-white partial veil in young specimens, cap with concentrical fawn brown scales on a white background. Another interesting character is the slight discolouration to wine red of all the parts of the carpophore, particularly of the flesh and the gills. A reliable identification of this species is subject to the observation of the microscopic characters. (g.p.)