Death Amanita
The Death Amanita is a cousin of the Fly Amanita, found most commonly on the damp floor of the Darkwood. Known for feeding upon decaying plant matter, the Death Amanita can be found across Dendralis.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Similar to its cousin, the Death Amanita is a toadstool-shaped mushroom, featuring a rounded cap on top of a white stem, with white dots over the cap's surface. Unlike its cousin, the Death Amanita's cap is ranges in color from black to dark grey, while tending to droop significantly more along the edges of the cap.
Ecology and Habitats
Death Amanita are found in the dampest parts of the forests on Dendralis. Most commonly found in the Darkwood, the Death Amanita is typically found on and around fallen timber and other decaying matter, such as fallen leaves. Due to its dark color and penchant to live in areas outside of the sun's rays, the Death Amanita is considered to be hiding in plain sight within the woods.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The Death Amanita feeds solely on decaying plant matter on the floor of forests. Favoring decaying leaves and tree bark, the fungus thrives in damp environments in which moisture remains for long periods of time instead of evaporating. The Death Amanita will quickly die out once the dead matter it thrives upon dries out, leaving its lifespan to be very susceptible to dry conditions.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The Death Amanita is used occasional for gastrointestinal medicines. While the surface of the cap can initiate a light yet constant itch on skin contact, the gills, when ground up and mixed with the other correct ingredients, can provide a strong numbing sensation when drunk, offering relief for upset stomachs. The effect can last excessively long, however, leading most practitioners of the healing arts to avoid using Death Amanita. As such, the Assembly of Healers has listed the species as being of low conservation concern.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The Death Amanita is found in greatest numbers within the damp and dank Darkwood, but can be found to some degree within every forest across Dendralis. Within the lusher forests, the Death Amanita will typically only show up during the early cold months when the most fresh leaf matter piles up on the forest floor, resulting in a wide lifespan for the fungi depending on location.
Scientific Name
Morthamatyo Mycëllornë
Conservation Status
Low Concern: Moderately available species across Dendralis, of low usage - Assembly of Healers
Geographic Distribution
Summer Camp 2024 Submission
Animal or Plant that Feeds on Decay
Animal or Plant that Feeds on Decay
I love that you've come up with your own scientific name and included the etymology, that's fun. It's like a goth amanita. :D I like the mixture of its effects, too. I probably would not use it for healing purposes. I'm going to shout this article out in my reading challenge for August. Great mushroom! :)
Hey, thanks so much! The death amanita was actually inspired by Baker Creek Rare Seeds' goth garden collection, so very glad to hear that stuck out. It's certainly not the ideal ingredient, but sometimes you find yourself in a pinch. I look forward to seeing your reading challenge, and will definitely be stopping by Etrea as I get my reading challenge going! Thanks again for stopping by!
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