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Fly agaric

Amanita muscaria

Photo by Mark Ridgway
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

A very large and near perfect specimen set off by a sprig of holly. Both are introduced species in Australia.

Habitat:

In a large and very old garden dominated by European species. 550metres altitude.

Notes:

Classified as a fungal weed in Australia people everywhere recognise this species and usually identify it a 'poisonous'. The truth is not that simple. The mushroom itself can vary considerably and in some parts of the world it will appear as orange or lemon yellow. The psychedelic and poisonous effects also vary. Some peoples consume it regularly. Apparently deaths from this fungi are virtually unknown but one should be very cautious. http://www.flyagaric-amanita.com/effects.html

Reference Links:

Fly Agaric - Amanita muscaria - Overview, Amanita muscaria, Fly Agaric Review And Information

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (12)
Mark Ridgway
Yep I'll leave all that to sharper younger brains... the outcomes of simple evolutionary logic provide enough fascination these days. I sometimes wonder though if the unused capacity of the ridiculously complex human brain is somehow connected with extra dimensions.
injica
but aren't 11 to 27 strings that were prior to dimensions? yes 4, but even the 4th is just partially caught ;) pretty feeble creatures this humans ;)
Mark Ridgway
Sorry - 11 to 27 is the current number of dimensions that physicists need to make current theories of the universe work... it's just that as feeble little homo sapiens we are only equipped to sense 4 - so glad I have discovered biology even if late in life - a pleasant change from dry science like that.
injica
me neither, already feeling overwhelmed with this few :) but at one point this was a kind of a trend in the undergrounds! 11 to 27, ha ha ha
Mark Ridgway
I always heard the same stories injica... even if you handle them the poisons can pass through your skin. Since doing more research however it seems mostly exaggerated but VERY dependent upon individual (sub-species?) variation and conditions. I don't need other dimensions these days - the 11 to 27 we are in are complicated enough ;-)
injica
I don't know if you heard any stories about is, I was always taught by my granny that this is the most poisonous fungus among all :D well not true, actually what I have found out later is that people are drying it and consuming to enter in other dimensions ;D
Mark Ridgway
Thanks Luis. Not much else to see in winter - and this one just looked perfect.
Mark Ridgway
Yes that is what the name says LE.. Amanita muscaria ?!
RiekoS
So perfect, almost unreal. Beautiful.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Mushroom Mapping
Mission
Beauty of Decay
Mission
Dandenong Ranges - fauna & flora
Mission
Backyard Habitats of the World
Mission
Entheogens of the world
Photographed
PublishedJune 18, 2013

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