The name destroying angel applies to several similar, closely related species of deadly all-white mushrooms in the genus Amanita. They are Amanita bisporigera and A. ocreata in eastern and western North America, and A. virosa in Europe. Another very similar species, A. verna or fool's mushroom was first described in France.
Closely related to the death cap (A. phalloides) they are among the most toxic known mushrooms, containing amatoxins as death caps do.
Read more about Destroying Angel: Description, Distribution and Habitat, Toxicity
Famous quotes containing the words destroying and/or angel:
“Ritual will always mean throwing away something: destroying our corn or wine upon the altar of our gods.”
—Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874–1936)
“I askèd a thief to steal me a peach
He turned up his eyes
I ask’d a lithe lady to lie her down
Holy & meek she cries—
As soon as I went
An angel came.
He wink’d at the thief
And smild at the dame—
And without one word said
Had a peach from the tree
And still as a maid
Enjoy’d the lady.”
—William Blake (1757–1827)