What is the Difference Between Amanita Muscaria and Amanita Pantherina

The main difference between Amanita muscaria and Amanita pantherina is that Amanita muscaria is white-gilled, white-spotted, and usually, a red toadstool, whereas Amanita pantherina is a white-grey-gilled and deep brown to hazel brown color capped toadstools.  

Amanita muscaria and Amanita pantherina are two toadstools-producing fungi in the division Basidiomycota. 

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Amanita Muscaria
– Definition, Characteristics, Importance
2. What is Amanita Pantherina
– Definition, Characteristics, Importance
3. Similarities Between Amanita Muscaria and Amanita Pantherina
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Amanita Muscaria and Amanita Pantherina
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Amanita Muscaria, Amanita Pantherina

What is Amanita Muscaria

Amanita muscaria is a basidiomycetes fungus that is native to boreal and temperate regions of the North Hemisphere. It lives as a symbiont in the pine and birch plantations. However, now it is a true cosmopolitan species that extends worldwide, associating with various deciduous and coniferous trees. Also, it is an iconic toadstool species with large, white gills and spots on, and is usually a red toadstool. Additionally, it contains several variations and subspecies. They include Amanita muscaria var. muscaria, Amanita muscaria subsp. flavivolvata, Amanita muscaria var. guessowii, and Amanita muscaria var. inzengae. These subspecies have slightly different characteristics, such as yellow and white caps.

Figure 1: Amanita muscaria

Furthermore, it contains psychoactive substances that are poisonous. Also, it is believed to have hallucinogenic properties. The main active compound is muscimol. Ibotenic acid is another neurotoxic precursor in Amanita muscaria. Other names of the Amanita muscaria are fly agaric or fly Amanita.  

What is Amanita Pantherina

Amanita pantherina is another basidiomycetes fungus in the genus Amanita. Other names for the toadstools include the panther cap, false blusher, and the panther amanita. It mostly lives in deciduous trees, especially beech, and less frequently in Europe and western Asia coniferous woodland. Also, it is an ectomycorrhizal fungus that lives as a symbiont in roots. It takes photosynthesized nutrients and introduces them to the soil. In addition to that, it contains a deep brown to hazel-brown to pale ochraceous brown cap that is 5-18 cm wide. The gills of the Amanita pantherina are white to grey and contain white color spores.

Figure 2: Amanita pantherina

Moreover, it also contains psychoactive compounds such as ibotenic acid and muscimol. They cause effects such as hallucinations, synaesthesia, euphoria, dysphoria, and retrograde amnesia. When consumed fresh, it causes diarrhea, vomiting, hyperhidrosis, and severe dehydration. 

Similarities Between Amanita Muscaria and Amanita Pantherina

• Amanita muscaria and Amanita pantherina are two toadstools-producing fungi of the genus Amanita.
• They belong to the division Basidiomycota.
• They live in root symbiosis with trees.
• They are used as entheogens and are psychoactive substances inducing alterations in perception, consciousness, mood, cognition, and behavior.
• Entheogens include muscimol, its neurotoxic precursor ibotenic acid, and muscarine. 

Difference Between Amanita Muscaria and Amanita Pantherina

Definition

Amanita muscaria refers to poisonous toadstools found in pastures and fields in summer. In contrast, Amanita pantherina refers to a beautiful but poisonous fungus; the white veil fragments on the ochre-brown cap are a helpful distinguishing feature of the Panthercap.

Also Called

Amanita muscaria is also called fly agaric or fly Amanita, while Amantia pantherina is also called panther cap, false blusher, and panther amanita. 

Appearance

Amanita muscaria is white-gilled, white-spotted, and is usually a red toadstool, while Amanita pantherina is a white-gray-gilled and deep brown to hazel brown color-capped toadstool.  

Importance

Amanita muscaria contains ibotenic acid, muscimol, and muscarine, while Amanita pantherina contains scopolamine and hyoscyamine in addition to these compounds. 

Poisoning

Amanita muscaria more often results in confusion and agitation, while Amanita pantherina often causes coma. 

Conclusion

In brief, Amanita muscarina and Amanita pantherina are two types of toadstools-producing fungi of the division Basidiomycota. Importantly, they contain entheogenic substances, including muscimol, its neurotoxic precursor ibotenic acid, and muscarine. Amanita muscarina is a red toadstool that contains white gills and white spots. More often, it results in confusion and agitation. Amanita pantherina is a deep-brown to hazel-brown toadstool containing white gills. In addition to muscimol and ibotenic acid, it contains scopolamine and hyoscyamine. Also, it often causes coma. Therefore, the main difference between Amanita muscarina and Amanita pantherina is their appearance. 

References:

1. Amanita muscaria and amanita pantherina poisoning: Two syndromes. Toxicon. 

Image Courtesy:

1. “Amanita muscaria 3 vliegenzwammen op rij” By Onderwijsgek – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0 nl) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Amanita pantherina 2013 G1” By George Chernilevsky – Own Work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia