Amanita baccata
PEAK FRUITING MONTHS
SIMILAR SPECIES: Amanita magniverrucata, Amanita smithiana, A. singeri
CRITICAL ID FEATURES: Overall whitish color, lack of a distinct partial veil on stipe, stipe base swollen and somewhat tapered, growth in sandhill habitat, powdery surfaces on stipe and cap. Elongated spores under the microscope (Q value > 3).
NUTRITIONAL STRATEGY: Ectomycorrhizal, probably with live oak.
EDIBILITY: Unknown, likely toxic.
COMMENTS: This Lepidella is one of very few in our area, and is differentiated from similar species by its strict habitat preference for sandhills, lack of strongly developed warts on the cap (unlike A. magniverrucata), medium to large size (unlike A. singeri), and powdery surfaces all over and elongate spores (unlike A. smithiana).