Amanita pantherina

Amanita pantherina, also known as the panther cap and false blusher due to its similarity to the true blusher ("Amanita rubescens"), is a species of fungus found in Europe and Western Asia.
Description.
Other than the brownish cap with white warts, distinguishing features of "Amanita pantherina" include the collar-like roll of volval tissue at the top of the basal bulb, and the elliptical, inamyloid spores.
Contrary to the "Amanita rubescens" the panther cap does not color red/pink ("blush") when the flesh is damaged, hence its name "false blusher". This is a key feature in differentiating both species.
Habitat and distribution.
The panther cap is an uncommon mushroom, found in both deciduous, especially beech and, less frequently, coniferous woodland and rarely meadows throughout Europe, western Asia in late summer and autumn. It has also been recorded from South Africa, where it is thought to have been accidentally introduced with trees imported from Europe, and on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada.
It is an ectomycorrhizal fungus, living in root symbiosis with a tree, deriving photosynthesised nutrients from it and providing soil nutrients in return.
Biochemistry and toxicity.
"A. pantherina" contains the psychoactive compound muscimol, but is used as an entheogen much less often than its much more distinguishable relative "Amanita muscaria". The average potency of the "A. pantherina" is greater than that of "A. muscaria", but it is unclear by how much. "A. pantherina" var. "pantherinoides" is considered inedible and possibly poisonous. Varieties "multisquamosa" and "velatipes" are considered poisonous.
Legal status.
"A. muscaria" and "A. pantherina" are illegal to buy, sell, or possess in the Netherlands since December 2008. Possession of amounts larger than 0.5 g dried or 5 g fresh lead to a criminal charge.