A Monograph of the Australian Species of Amanita Pers. ex Hook. (Fungi)

Abstract

Descriptions are given of 46 taxa. and a key is provided to facilitate identification. Whenever possible line drawings of microcharacters for the species have been reproduced. Coloured illustrations of certain taxa based on original water-colours by the author and his son. and also on colour transparencies. are included. Three new combinations are proposed: Amanita effusa (KaJchbr.) Reid. A. grisella var. hueala-velala (Reid) Reid and A. punclala (Clel. & Cheel) Reid.

Amanita hiltonii (Amanitaceae), a common but frequently misidentified mushroom in southwestern Australia, and reconsideration of A. albifimbriata and A. brunneibulbosa

“…The most important difference in the descriptions is in relation to the presence of clamp connections. Reid (1980) On the basis of spore shape, these two collections do not appear to be conspecific; PERTHO2241919 does not fit the description of A. albifimbriata given by Miller (1991) and characters of the type specimen. It will not be considered further.…”

“…He visited Western Australia (WA), South Australia and Victoria, where he collected with local mycologists and also examined type material held in Australian and other herbaria. His monograph (Reid 1980) included 46 taxa, including newly described species and a key. One of the new species was A. hiltonii D.A.Reid, named after Roger Hilton, a lecturer in mycology at the University of WA.…”

“…Thus, the distinctive character used by Miller (1991) to distinguish A. albifimbriata from A. ananiceps is not supported by careful examination. Reid (1980) examined the holotypes of both A. hiltonii and A. ananiceps. Their macroscopic descriptions are similar, allowing for the variations that occur among collections of the same species.…”

“…) Cleland & Cheel which is similar to A. ananiceps; it was described from Queensland. After examining the types of both species, Bas (1969) and Reid (1980) were unable to confidently separate them and suggested that further collections from the type locations would be needed before deciding whether these taxa are the same. Wood (1997), in his monograph of Amanita spp.…”

“…from eastern Australia, listed A. ananiceps, A. farinacea and A. hiltonii. His identifications were based on the best fit with descriptions in Reid (1980) and Bas (1969). He distinguished these three species in his key on the basis of spore shape, whether the universal veil on the pileus is powdery (A. farinacea) or more or less membranousfibrillose (A. ananiceps and A. hiltonii), and the presence (A. hiltonii) or absence (A. ananiceps) of a membranous partial veil.…”