Destroying angel & Caesar mushroom ID guide, and how Nero became the Roman emperor

In this video, I explain how to recognize the Slender American Caesar (Amanita jacksonii), plus several other "Caesar" mushrooms in Amanita species Section Caesareae. Amanita jacksonii is a foraging favorite in the Eastern US, with distinctive patches of cottony orange tissue on the stem that makes it fairly distinct from other Caesars. I also cover the core traits of destroying angel mushrooms that grow in the Eastern United States.
I also discuss the following:
1. Yellow and bronze-colored Caesar mushrooms in the South and Eastern US, specifically Amanita banningiana and Amanita arkansana.
2. Ancient Romans' obsession with wild mushrooms, leading to the (ostensible) mushroom poisoning of Emperor Claudius. This act was committed by Claudius' wife Agrippina to clear the way for her son, the infamous Emperor Nero, to take power. I review some of the historical records on this subject, concluding with a VERY silly passage from Seneca about the final moments of Claudius' life.

[@jwcaldw]

Love your videos. Found many beautiful amanitas after the storm. We’re in upstate SC, affected by the hurricane but nowhere near the level of destruction in NC. The beautiful mushrooms popping up provide some joy in this time of tragedy for me.

[@trimbaker1893]

Thanks Anna, George here, up near Cashiers NC. western mountains of north carolina. I have been chainsawing trees off of buildings and driveways for my neighbors and friends since saturday. its nice to hear and see you. smiling, George.

[@MovieMationStudios]

Best of luck to you George. Hurts to see the greatest part of this state be so devastated.

[@trimbaker1893]

@@MovieMationStudios Thank you. sometimes it hurts alot. Monday evening I dislocated my shoulder while cutting a huge fallen oak. I reset it tuesday morning. It works great again. no pain now. in case you ever need to reset a dislocated shoulder, heres how I do it. I hung a bucket with about twenty pounds in it, from the hand. with the arm straight down towards my feet, I walked for about fifteen minutes, slowly letting my arm sway with that weight hanging from my hand. the shoulder reset. I did not work tuesday, and drank lots of water to flush the toxins from all that stressful pain. wednesday I was ready to get back to chainsawing trees. all good now.

[@1DNGJR]

I enjoy your videos and share your well wishes for those negatively affected by the hurricanes this year, finding quite a few "hen of the woods" and meadow mushrooms here in western NY now. Keep up the good work.

[@quicksilvercloggers]

Found my first wood blewits ever today !! North Ga mtns Love your videos !

[@TheEverLovingOutdoors]

Awesome history lesson! ❤

[@TruthFrequencyNews]

Thank goodness you are ok!!!

[@lizzucco5455]

Are you Ok? Please let us know you are ok. 🙏

[@anna-identifies-mushrooms]

@@lizzucco5455 yep, I’m a-ok. Raleigh was spared the worst of the storms. Up the hill it’s a godawful situation. Doing what I can from afar and so relieved that my friends and loved ones up there have all checked in safe. Thanks for asking!!💕

[@1o1carolina53]

Great content

[@miche1df]

Amanitas and history, this was basically targeted at me lol Found (I think) a destroying angel, some massive Saproamanitas, and something from section Vaginatae up here in the DC area today.

[@user82938]

I thought I found a destroying angel yesterday, but it had warts, so it was something else. There are tons of mushrooms fruiting right now from the all the rain.

[@jwcaldw]

Probably a false parasol, chloropyllum molybdites. They are popping up in my pasture now.

[@user82938]

@@jwcaldw No, this was just a different Amanita. It had the sac and all. Only difference was it had warts and the annulus sat a little lower.

[@miche1df]

@@user82938 maybe one of the white variant muscaroids?

[@user82938]

@@miche1df I think it was this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKapomyod7ODqZY

[@samandrews6033]

When do you start finding hen of the woods in Raleigh?

[@goodun2974]

Except for the orange color, Jacksonii sort of reminds me of a geoduck, the giant clam of tge LNW.....

[@cosmicaug]

19:30 And then there's the waving around of the purple mushroom and she tells us nothing about it! 😞