Technical description (t.b.d.)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION: The cap of A. pudibunda is 35 - 45 mm wide, white, gibbous to convex at first, then convex to pulvinate, flat over disc, with tomentose to farinose surface decoration, and a short striate margin (faint but 25% of the radius in preserved material). The flesh is white. The volva is present as scattered irregular fragments.

The gills are crowded (as preserved), white with flesh colored tint in mass, white in side view, rather broad, rather thick and fleshy, with a smooth and concolorous edge.

The stem is 80^± - 100^± x 9 - 12 mm, white, narrowing upward evenly, having a series of concolorous rings or broken rings, pulverulent, with white flesh. The saccate volva is ample, membranous, rather thick, and whitish with pinkish spots.

The spores measure (6.5-) 6.8 - 10.4 (-10.5) x (5.1-) 5.2 - 7.4 (-7.9) µm and are broadly ellipsoid to ellipsoid to elongate and inamyloid. Clamps are not observed at bases of basidia.

Amanita pudibunda is known only from the type collection made in 1957 in Chiang Mai Prov., Thailand. New collections are very much needed.

Dr. Z. L. Yang and I have discussed this species and agree that there is the possibility that it could be a member of Amanita section Amidella that has lost the amyloid reaction in its spores. Dr. Bas (1969) mentioned having seen an Asian species he placed in section Amidella that had inamyloid spores. Dr. Yang has similar experience. The species is certainly rather isolated in sect. Vaginatae. Futher work is needed. -- R. E. Tulloss

Illustration (of specimen preserved in liquid) by: R. E. Tulloss

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Last changed 16 August 2004.
This page is maintained by R. E. Tulloss.
Copyright 2004 by Rodham E. Tulloss.