Amanita caesarea

Amanita caesarea
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Amanitaceae
Genus: Amanita
Species:
A. caesarea
Binomial name
Amanita caesarea
(Scop.) Pers. (1801)
Synonyms
  • Agaricus caesareus Scop. (1772)
Amanita caesarea
Mycological characteristics
Gills on hymenium
Cap is convex
Hymenium is free
Stipe has a ring and volva
Spore print is white
Ecology is mycorrhizal
Edibility is choice but not recommended

Amanita caesarea, commonly known as Caesar's mushroom, is a species of fungus in the genus Amanita. While it was first described by Giovanni Antonio Scopoli in 1772, it was a favorite of early rulers of the Roman Empire.

The mushroom has a distinctive orange cap, yellow gills and stipe, and contains organic acids. The species resembles poisonous species including fly agaric. A. caesarea is found in North Africa, Eurasia, and North America. It is edible, given correct identification.