Today's Nature Post features Agaric.

Agaric, Amanita Muscaria, is a Fungi belonging to the genus Amanita which is a group that includes around 600 species. Including some of the most toxic mushrooms. Agaric, also known as Fly Agaric or Fly Amanita, originates from regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere. However, it has been introduced throughout many other environments in the Southern Hemisphere to the point where Agaric is considered a cosmopolitan species. Meaning it can be found throughout the world in environments that encourage it's growth such as boreal or temperate regions. It is an icon for it's brightly colored toadstool, or the fleshy top region of a mushroom, which produces an easily seen white-spotted, red top. At the beginning of it's growth, Agaric will sprout from the ground looking like white eggs. Afterwards, it is known to grow wart-like protrusions which grow from a membrane that covers the mushroom when it is first growing. As Agaric grows, it's iconic red color will peek through the membrane that breaks as the mushroom grows. The warts do not change in size, but will reduce in size to the overall toadstool as the mushroom grows larger. The cap of the plant will start out more like a globe, but as it ages, will begin to form a more open, rounded shape. At times, specimens will form into a flatter form in their later age. Agaric can grow to approximately 8 inches in diameter on average with some exceptions growing larger. The fleshy rings that seem like they are peeling from the stem or ringing the base of the plant, are actually remnants of the universal veil, the membrane that protected the young mushroom in it's early development. Like many of it's relatives, Agaric contains chemicals such as muscimol which can cause hallucinogenic results. However, it is toxic and recommended to be avoided. It is also known for being used to trap flies due to the ibotenic acid and muscimol it contains which attracts flies. Agaric is well known for it's use in literature and popular culture such as in images portraying gnomes or fairies or stories.

Agaric, also known as Fly Fungus, Death Angel, or Redcap Mushroom, is considered a masculine plant connected with the element Air and the God Dionysus. It was used by Siberian Shamans to connect with a spiritual experience, but it is believed that this was not widespread due to limited information available. Although reports indicate various cultures used this plant for similar reasons throughout Asiatic and European shamanic cultures. One can increase their fertility by placing it on their nightstand or headboard. Taoists of ancient China referred to the Agaric as the Divine Mushroom of Immortality. It is connected highly with the Yule and Christmas season due to it's bright red color and, theorized, in use by Siberian culture that developed into the lore of Santa Clause. At midwinter festivals, the Shaman would enter the home through the Yurt, or hole in the top of the home, to place a bag of Agaric over the fireplace which would then be dried. It was first used as an insecticide around 1256 and is not recommended for consumption.