Amanita

Amanita is a genus of gilled mushrooms comprising roughly 600 described species, including both some of the most lethally toxic fungi known and several well-regarded edible species, alongside many of uncertain edibility. The genus accounts for around 95 percent of fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide, with the death cap, Amanita phalloides, alone responsible for roughly 90 percent of these deaths through its potent toxin alpha-amanitin. Despite this danger, several regional Amanita species are traditionally gathered and eaten, including A. zambiana in central Africa, A. basii in Mexico, A. caesarea and the blusher A. rubescens in Europe, and A. chepangiana in Southeast Asia, though mycologists caution strongly against amateur identification given the severe consequences of confusing an edible species with a toxic lookalike. The bright red Amanita jacksonii is also used regionally as a natural food colourant.