Caesar's mushroom or Amanita battarrae

Cap 5–10 cm, bell-shaped in young mushrooms, then flattening to plano-convex with a small umbo in the center. Gray-brown with a distinctive zoned pattern — concentric darker bands near the margin. The margin is noticeably radially striate. Surface matte, slightly sticky in wet weather.

Cap 8–20 cm, hemispherical in young mushrooms, then opening out to flattened-convex. Color bright orange-red, darker in the center, paler toward the edges. Surface smooth, shiny, without veil flakes (unlike the fly agaric). The cap skin peels easily. The cap margin has clearly visible radial striations — very pronounced in mature mushrooms.

Gills free, white, crowded. Spore print white.

Gills free, crowded, golden yellow — one of the key features of the species (most amanitas have white gills). Spore print white or pale cream.

Stem 7–12 cm tall, 0.8–1.5 cm thick, cylindrical, more slender than the cap. White or cream, sometimes with faint grayish scale-like patches. THERE IS NO RING — this is the key feature of section Vaginatae. At the base — a large, white, sack-like volva (remnants of the veil).

Stem 8–15 cm tall, 1–2.5 cm thick, cylindrical, slightly widening toward the base. Color bright yellow, smooth or finely scaly. At the top of the stem hangs a broad, membranous yellow ring, drooping like a skirt. At the base is a large, white, free, sack-shaped volva — an essential diagnostic feature.

Flesh white, thin, brittle. Does NOT change color when cut. Springy in young mushrooms, crumbly in mature ones.

Flesh white or slightly yellowish under the cap skin, firm, does not change color when cut. Fibrous in the stem, with no hollows.

Smell faint, neutral, described in some sources as slightly radish-like. Taste (only after cooking) — mild, with no pronounced notes.

Smell pleasant, mushroomy, faintly sweet. Taste mild and nutty — which is exactly why the mushroom is so prized.