Eastern American Blusher - Amanita amerirubescens group
I found a large cluster of rotting blushers - some were seriously gnarly. Sorry for the dark shots, but forests are dark, especially when it's raining!
Habitat: Growing on the ground in a mixed forest, but in an area dominated by oak.
The exact species of this mushroom is unknown, but it is in the Amanita amerirubescens group. Amanita expert Rod Tulloss has documented several eastern North American versions of Amanita rubescens, which now temporarily share the provisional name of "Amanita amerirubescens."
Cap: Grows up to 120 mm wide. Color varies from pale yellowish-tan or pale tannish-yellow at first, but eventually turn brown or umbrinous. Wounds are reddish-brown. The cap is tacky and broadly conic at first, then finally planar in maturity. Remnants of volva are present as warts, which are subpyramidal and easily removed.
