Amanita muscaria (L.) Lam.

The Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) is the classic red-and-white toadstool of fairy tales, and one of the most recognisable fungi in the world. Its scarlet cap, up to 20 cm across, is dotted with white warts, the remains of the veil that once wrapped the young mushroom; heavy rain can wash them away, leaving a plain red cap.

Underneath are crowded white gills, and the white stem carries a hanging ring above a swollen base ringed with scaly bands. In Britain it grows mainly with birch, sometimes with pine or spruce, in woodland, heaths and parks, fruiting in autumn and often returning to the same spot year after year. It is poisonous, containing ibotenic acid and muscimol, which can cause vomiting, confusion and hallucinations.

Its relatives include the Panthercap (Amanita pantherina), which has a brown cap with pure white warts and contains the same toxins, and the Blusher (Amanita rubescens), whose flesh bruises pink. The name comes from its old use as a fly killer: pieces of cap were soaked in milk to attract and stupefy flies.