How to tell Caesar's mushroom from Fly agaric

Cap 8–20 cm across, egg-shaped when young, then flattened-convex or almost flat. The surface is bright red or orange-red, fading to orange in old mushrooms. It is covered with white or yellowish warts — remnants of the universal veil (easily washed off by rain).

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, crowded, white, not changing color. Spore print white. White gills combined with a red cap, a ring and a volva are a reliable combination of amanita features.

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 8–18 cm tall, 1.5–2.5 cm thick, white, cylindrical, with a bulbous, swollen base. There is a well-developed membranous ring in the upper part and a characteristic ragged, sheath-like volva at the base, often hidden in the soil.

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 soft, white, yellowish under the cap skin. Does not change color when cut. No distinctive smell. It contains toxic isoxazoles even in flesh that has no smell and no sharp taste.

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 or slightly sweetish. The very absence of a repulsive smell is part of the fly agaric's “trap”: the mushroom looks attractive and doesn't put you off by its smell.

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