Fauna
Fungus

Coker's Amanita

Amanita cokeri

Also known as Solitary Lepidella

Coker's amanita produces striking, chalk-white fruiting bodies decorated with prominent pyramidal warts across the cap surface. This mycorrhizal partner establishes mutualistic relationships with hardwoods and pines across eastern North America, emerging solitary or scattered after summer rains. Its imposing stature is anchored by a dramatically swollen, rooting bulb that can extend several centimeters into damp woodland leaf litter.

PoisonousWoodlandFungus
Coker's Amanita reference1 / 7
(c) Bill Sheehan, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyMycorrhizal (nutrients via tree root symbiosis)
Predators
  • Fungus gnat larvae
  • Slugs
ThreatsDeforestation, heavy soil compaction, clear-cutting
HabitatsMixed deciduous and coniferous woodlands, oak-pine forests
Life spanFruiting body 4–10 days; mycelium perennial
Classification
  1. OrderAgaricales
  2. FamilyAmanitaceae
  3. GenusAmanita
  4. SpeciesAmanita cokeri
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Toxic if ingested; many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes, so never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Why it is dangerous
Contains toxic non-protein amino acids that can induce severe gastrointestinal damage and acute renal impairment.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognize by the large white cap with raised pyramidal warts, hanging skirt-like ring, and bulbous rooting stem.
What to do
Never consume any part of this fungus; wash hands thoroughly after any direct contact.
Responsible observation
  • Cap inspection: Note the stiff, pointed, pyramid-shaped scales that distinguish the cap surface.
  • Careful observation: Photograph the swollen rooting bulb at ground level without uprooting the mycelial base.
Related species
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