Tanzanian mushrooms and their uses 4. Some reddish edible and poisonous Amanita species

Authors: Härkönen, Marja & Saarimäki, Tiina & Mwasumbi, Leonard
Journal: Karstenia, Volume 34 (1994), Issue 2, pages 47-60.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.29203/ka.1994.306
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Key words: Africa, Amanita, edible mushrooms, ethnomycology, poisonous mushrooms, Tanzania, taxonomy

Abstract:  Three new species of Amanita, section Vaginatae, are described from Tanzania: A. tanzanica Härk. & Saarim., A. masasiensis Härk. & Saarim. and A. mafingensis Härk. & Saarim. These species are related to A. hemibapha (Berk. & Br.) Sacc., the tropical relative of A. caesarea (Scop. : Fr.) Pers. All the new species are considered edible by the local people and have a collective vernacular name in each tribe. They are often confused with the poisonous A. muscaria (L.: Fr.) Pers., which is abundant in exotic pine plantations, and mushroom poisonings, even fatal ones, occur.