European Destroying Angel

No more eggs.
I am tired of drawing eggs.
No more mushrooms either.
Oh wait, I still like mushrooms.

 

Amanita virosa

Destroying Angel is a name given to three species of mushrooms of the genus Amanita, namely Amanita bisporigera, Amanita virosa and Amanaita verna. These mushrooms are white and I find them beautiful. However, it is a challenge to draw white mushroom on white Bristol Board. I tried. This is Amanita virosa, otherwise known as the European Destroying Angel. It is a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus and is associated with many coniferous (pine) and  deciduous trees such as oak. The immature specimen resemble many edible varieties increasing the risk of accidental poisoning. Amanita virosa is one of the most poisonous of all known poisonous mushrooms; its principal toxin α-amanitin damages the liver and kidneys, often fatally. There are only a few known antidotes, one of which is a compound derived from milk thistle.

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Amanita phalloides - Death Cap Mushroom

Amanita phalloides. Ink and colored pencil on 11"x14 Bristol board.

This drawing and my research on this mushroom was inspired by an entry on my daughter's journal when she was 10 years old. She used to write facts and info on the corners and sides of her journal pages. One day in the kitchen, she read one of her journals and it compelled me to know more about it.  See how our children inspire us? Do your children inspire you to study and learn more?

This is Amanita phalloides also known as the death cap. It is a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita. It causes major organ failures in hours and death in about 10 days. Read about A. phalloides here.

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