Coccora

Amanita calyptroderma

Amanita calyptroderma is commonly referred to as Coccora or the Pacific Amanita, is one of the most striking and honored mushrooms in the forests of western North America. A. calyptroderma is commonly found in the fall, underneath coast live oak, madrone, and conifers. The species forms a special symbiotic relationship with its host tree, called an ectomycorrhizal association. This involves the two organisms exchange nutrients, water, and signaling molecules through an underground mycelial network connected to the roots of the host tree. A. calyptroderma is also an important part of the base of the food chain and habitat in forests which are one of the most structurally and ecologically complex and diverse ecosystems in the world [1][2].

The cap of the Amanita calyptroderma is smooth, tawny to apricot-orange, and is usually covered in patches of its universal veil. The stipe is white, has an annulus, and a large sack-like volva. The gills are free and vary from a pure to creamy white. The A. calyptroderma is structurally strong, as well as having an aesthetically pleasing form [2][3].

Functionally, the A. calyptroderma works as a vital element in the cycling of nutrients from one area to another. This benefits local nutrient density, and therefore the long term productivity of the surrounding ecosystem [4]. It also is used to be an indicator of an old, undisturbed, organic-rich ecosystem with high fungal diversity [5].

A. calyptroderma is considered edible and a sought out edible foragers in some parts of its range. However, caution is required when collecting this species as it is often mistaken for other deadly Amanitas [6]. The species is also an unobtrusive representation of the beauty of the forest as a living organism and its critical role in the functions within it [7].

[1] RedList.info.“Amanita calyptroderma – Species View.” RedList.info. https://redlist.info/iucn/species_view/215817/

[2] Kuo, Michael.“Amanita calyptroderma.” MushroomExpert.com. https://www.mushroomexpert.com/amanita_calyptroderma.html

[3] MykoWeb.“Amanita calyptroderma (CAF Species Page).” MykoWeb – California Fungi. https://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/species/Amanita_calyptroderma.html

[4] HandWiki contributors.“Biology: Amanita calyptroderma.” HandWiki. https://handwiki.org/wiki/biology:Amanita_calyptroderma

[5] Wikipedia contributors.“Amanita calyptroderma.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Last modified April 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanita_calyptroderma

[6] JungleDragon.“Amanita calyptroderma.” JungleDragon Species Database. https://www.jungledragon.com/specie/7121/amanita_calyptroderma.html

[7] Cai, Qing, Jean Evans I. Codjia, Bart Buyck, Yang-Yang Cui, Martin Ryberg, Nourou S. Yorou, and Zhu L. Yang. “The Evolution of Ectomycorrhizal Symbiosis and Host-Plant Switches Are Central to Diversification in Amanitaceae.” BMC Biology 22 (2024): 120. https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-024-02031-8