Amanita brunnescens Atkinson Cleft-foot Amanita, Cap 4-15cm across, bluntly convex then flattened with central umbo; deep brown to olivaceous or grayish, paler near margin, with darker radiating fibers showing through surface; smooth, viscid when wet. In the var. pallida Krieger the cap is completely white to pale cream or pale citrine; both types bruise reddish brown. Gills free, crowded, broad; white bruising reddish brown. Stem 50-150x 10-20mm, swelling at base to a distinct sharp-edged bulb that is usually cleft with vertical splits at margin; pale dirty white to brownish with darker stains, particularly at the base; smooth to slightly roughened; apex with a flaring, pendant white ring that soon collapses against stem. Flesh firm; white bruising reddish brown. Odor not distinctive. Taste riot distinctive. Spores ,Globose, smooth, amyloid, 8-10 x 8-10µ. Deposit white. Habitat in deciduous woods, especially under oak. Abundant. Found widely distributed in much of eastern north America from Canada to Florida, west to Michigan and Texas. Season July-October. Probably poisonous and like all amanitas is to be avoided. Comment should be carefully compared with the deadly Amanita phalloides.