The genus Saproamanita contains about 24 species of agarics and is one of six genera in the family Amanitaceae, of which the similar Amanita is also a member. Saproamanita differs from Amanita in that its species are saprophytic, and not ectomycorrhizal.
Saproamanita resemble Amanita. They have a pileus, free lamellae, a central stipe, and an annulus. Below the annulus are scales and rings, remnants of the universal veil composed largely of cylindrical to slender, clavate, inflated hyphal cells mostly scattered in the central stipe region (rather than the base). The spores are white and amyloid.
Saproamanita are known to inhabit grasslands, lawns, pastures, fens, and fields in Africa, Asia including the Indian subcontinent and Thailand, Australia, Europe, including Mediterranean islands (e.g. Cyprus)[18] and England, North America, including Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America, as well as glens in open canopy forests. Some species are known to form fairy rings. At least three of the species are invasive species expanding their ranges, S. inopinata in Europe, S. thiersii in North America, and S. manicata in Hawaii.
