Amanita muscaria

Amanita muscaria, commonly known as Fly Agaric, is one of the most widely recognized mushrooms around the world.  This red-capped mushroom with white speckles has been depicted in ancient literature and modern legends.  A. muscaria was used in the religious ceremonies of ancient civilizations due to its inebriating properties.  European households have used A. muscaria as an insecticide against house flies for centuries.  A. muscaria or Fly Agaric has been linked to the legend of Santa Clause and his flying raindeer, because reindeer our known to eat A. muscaria mushrooms and the red and white colors of Santa’s suit resemble the mushroom’s colors.

 
Amanita muscaria compared to Mario Bros. mushroom.

A. muscaria is native to forests around the Northern Hemisphere, growing alongside spruce, pine, birches and other trees.  The host and A. muscaria form a symbiotic relationship where each organism supports the other.  A. muscaria benefits from the host by getting necessary carbons, and the host benefits by increased water and mineral absorption (Schaeffer, 1996).

A. muscaria and the host also benefit from the aid of Mycorrhiza Helper Bacteria (MHB).  Studies involving MHB show that hosts and A. muscaria have improved symbiosis when MHB Streptomyces are present.  Colonies of MHB Streptomyces are credited for significantly increasing the mycelial growth and mycorrhiza formation of A. muscaria (Schrey, 2005).

The speckles on the cap and the skirt around the upper portion of the stalk are remnants of the universal veil that once covered the cap during its development.  The mushroom itself is the fungi’s reproductive organ.  The gilled underside of the cap contains basidia that form spores.  Beneath the ground, A. muscaria has a complex network of hyphae that intertwine with the host’s roots (Whelan, 1994).

A. muscaria is a member of the Amanitaceae family, which includes the lethal mushrooms Destroying Angel and Death Cap.  90% of mushroom poisoning fatalities are caused by this family.  A. muscaria is not as poisonous as its close relatives, but it is toxic and has long been recognized as a hallucinogen.  The substances that give A. muscaria its toxicity are ibotenic acid, muscimol, and muscarine.  Consuming A. muscaria causes profuse sweating, delirium, and hallucinations. The Japanese have developed a technique for detoxifying the mushrooms.  Reindeer are also known for consuming A. muscaria mushrooms in nature (Whelan, 1994).

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Schaeffer, Christoph, Johann, Patrik, Nehls, Uwe, Hampp, Rudiger.  (1996).  Evidence for an Up-Regulation of the Host and a Down-Regulation of the Fungal Phosphofructokinase Activity in Ectomycorrhizas of Norway Spruce and Fly Agaric.  New Phytologist.  134(4).  697-702.

Schrey, Silvia D., Schellhammer, Michael, Ecke, Margret, Hampp, et al.  (2005).  Mycorrhiza Helper Bacterium Streptomyces AcH 505 Induces Differential Gene Expression in the Ectomycorrhizal Fungus Amanita muscaria.  New Phytologist.  168(1).  205-216.

Whelan, Christal.  (1994).  Amanita muscaria:  the gorgeous mushroom.  Asian Folklore Studies.  53(1).  163.