How to tell Gold flecked woodwax from Destroying angel

Cap 2-8 cm, hemispherical at first, then convex-flattened with a broad umbo. White or creamy white, with a distinctly yellow margin — a characteristic feature. The surface is covered in fine whitish or yellowish down (hence «hairy»). Slightly slimy in wet weather.

Cap 5-12 cm across, hemispherical to egg-shaped in young mushrooms, becoming convex to flat with age. Color entirely white, creamy white, slightly yellowish in the center in old specimens. Surface smooth, slightly sticky in wet weather. No scales, no warts, no veil on the mature cap (unlike the fly agaric or Caesar's mushroom).

Gilled hymenophore. The gills are widely spaced, thick, and decurrent (a typical feature of the genus). White at first, turning yellowish with age, especially the edges — golden yellow. Spore print white.

Gilled hymenophore — gills white, free (not attached to the stem), moderately crowded. Spore print white. As in the rest of Amanita section Phalloideae, to which this species belongs, the gills are always white and free, even in mature specimens — unlike those of Agaricus.

Stem 5-8 cm tall, 0.8-1.5 cm thick, cylindrical. White, with a characteristic band of yellow granular flecks at the top, as if dusted with semolina (this is what gave it the name «golden»). The surface is dry, without slime. No ring.

Stem 8-15 cm tall, 1-2 cm thick, cylindrical, long, slender, with a sac-like volva at the base (a remnant of the universal veil that looks like an eggshell). Color entirely white. In the upper part — a white membranous ring; firm in young specimens, may disappear in old ones. The stem surface often has thin white flaky scales and fibers.

The flesh is white, firm, with a distinctive aroma. Does not change color when cut. Springy texture — holds up well to frying and stewing.

Flesh firm, entirely white. It does not change color when cut (unlike, for example, Agaricus mushrooms, which turn pink and darken). The smell gradually becomes unpleasant, with a hint of stale potato or chlorine — hence the epithet "stinking" in its Ukrainian name. In young mushrooms the smell is still faint, so don't rely on it as the only sign.

A distinct, pleasant mushroomy smell. Some sources describe a hint of resin or wood. Taste mild, pleasantly mushroomy.

Faint and unpleasant, with a hint of old potato, chlorine or fish — especially in old specimens and when the flesh is damaged. Not diagnostic for safety: the smell develops only after some time, and a young mushroom with no distinct smell can still end up in the basket and cause fatal poisoning.