Stats

Lifespan

A few weeks

Size

Large

Diet

Decomposer

Biome

Temperate forest

Range

Northern Hemisphere

Movement

Sessile

Breeding

Spores

Defense

Toxins

Status

Common

About

This iconic fungus is easily spotted by its bright red cap covered in white polka dots and often grows near the roots of birch or pine trees to help them stay healthy. While it looks like it belongs in a fairy tale, its vibrant colors warn forest travelers that it is best left untouched.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   spore

   A microscopic spore drifts on air or water and germinates where moisture and substrate meet.
2. 2.
   mycelium

   A thread-like mycelium spreads through the substrate, breaking it down into nutrients.
3. 3.
   fruiting body

   A mature fruiting body emerges to release the next generation of spores.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →
• Watch on YouTube →

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Fungi

Phylum

Basidiomycota

Class

Agaricomycetes

Order

Agaricales

Family

Amanitaceae

Genus

Amanita

Species

Amanita muscaria