Validation of two Amanita species from eastern North America: A. rhacopus sp. nov. and A. variicolor sp. nov.

Abstract

Members of the mushroom genus Amanita usually can easily be identified to the genus in the field, however, species circumscription and identification are often problematic. Several names have been misapplied and cryptic species exist. Here, we formally describe and validate two new species of Amanita sect. Vaginatae from eastern North America that were recognised under the umbrella European names A. ceciliae by past authors: Amanita rhacopus sp. nov. and Amanita variicolor sp. nov.