Amanita Muscaria

Day 364: Amanita muscaria is arguably the most recognized mushroom in the world, and its status as such pre-dates the "Mario" games by centuries. It is very distinctive in its textbook morphology: red cap dotted with white spots, a skirt around the stipe and a bulbous base, but as it ages (or in some cases, where soil conditions affect its growth), the cap may be yellowish or tan, leading to possible confusion with other Amanita species. That said, it is poisonous, and those who have experimented with its hallucinogenic properties have undoubtedly done some measure of damage to their livers with the toxins which accumulate there. But it is a beautiful thing, this "toadstool" of faerie tale, especially when caught in its prime. This specimen had only recently popped through the duff and hadn't had a shower to wash away the debris of its birth. Nearby, a few salad-plate sized companions had fully opened, and had tipped over sideways from the sheer weight of their flattened, fading caps.