Blusher

Blusher
Amanita rubescens in Italy
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Amanitaceae
Genus: Amanita
Species:
A. rubescens
Binomial name
Amanita rubescens
Amanita rubescens
Gills on hymenium
Cap is flat
Hymenium is free
Stipe has a ring
Spore print is white
Ecology is mycorrhizal
Edibility is edible but not recommended

The blusher is the common name for several closely related species of the genus Amanita. A. rubescens (the blushing amanita) is found in Eurasia and A. novinupta (the new bride blushing amanita or blushing bride) is found in western North America. Both their scientific and common names stem from the tendency of their flesh to bruise pink.

Blushers are difficult to distinguish from similar species, but one identifying feature is the pink bruising. The mushroom is edible and tasty, sought for in several European countries.