This name is currently applied to two distinct populations in western North America. The first fruits in the Fall (Nov.-Dec. with occasional records from early January) and has an orange to brown pileus and usually grows with madrone, tan oak, and Douglas fir. The second is a Spring-fruiting (Feb.-Jun. with occasional records from early January) species with a lemon-yellow to pale yellow to cream pileus that grows with live oak in coastal California, pine in the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino mountains, and occasionally under fir in the Pacific Northwest.

Other than these clearly distinguishing features, the two amanitas are fairly similar. They each have an unusually thick universal veil which leaves an ample volval sack and a thick white patch on the cap.

A more detailed description is available from Rod Tulloss’ Amanita website:.