Western Destroying Angel
Distribution
Western United States, primarily California. Documented throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa County, Mendocino County, and coastal California. Range extends from southern California to the Pacific Northwest.
Habitat
Grows exclusively with oak trees, particularly live oak (Quercus agrifolia) and other California native oaks. Found in oak woodlands, oak savannas, and mixed evergreen forests with oak component. A native California mushroom.
Season
Late winter into spring (typically January through April), which is earlier than most other deadly Amanitas. Fruits after winter rains in California's Mediterranean climate.
Toxin Type
Amatoxins
Symptoms
Classic amatoxin poisoning syndrome. Symptoms begin 10-24 hours after consumption with severe gastrointestinal distress (vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain). This is followed by a false recovery period, then progressive kidney and liver damage. Without treatment, acute hepatic and renal failure develops, potentially requiring liver transplantation. The delay in symptom onset makes it especially dangerous as victims may not seek treatment until irreversible organ damage has occurred.