Hello, I live in Northeastern North Carolina and found this mushroom growing in mulch in a shady flowerbed equidistant from an Alder tree and Eastern Red Cedar. Found on one of the first “cool” mornings of late summer. I am thinking it is an amanita. I am concerned that it could be the really dangerous kind.

I tried to figure it out using the mushroom ID book I purchased when I lived in Juneau AK, but it seems geared to the PNW, and I honestly feel more confused about what it could be now... this mushroom is just so small and not substantial in any way (just \~1.5” across cap, stem .25” wide and \~2” long) compared to what I saw of Amanita in Alaska, and there does not apear to be remnants of a veil on the stem(but it has stormed a few times in the last few days) it is not wet but I swear the cap feels a tiny bit sticky! But it is clearly a few days old and may just be age/beginning of decomposition? IDK!! Also since it is older, my books says phalloides does not usually have radial ridges, but that they can form from age/ drying out. This mushroom does appear to have “warts” but they are very sparse which seems unusual given the Amanitas that I have seen before and are generally pictured. No clear or obvious veil remnants, skirt, or volva. Also the stem was super “brittle” and broke easily in two places accidentally while I was carrying it inside, and my book says amanita have sturdy stems... In my book it says phalloides is usually bald, but sometimes with a patch of universal veil tissue. Is that what I am seeing as warts? Tried smelling it (although I do have a back-to-school cold and stuffy nose) and it smells like a mushroom to me… I don’t smell amonia…

I think a squirrel or other small animal may have already nibbled it. Are Phalloides danerous to animals? Do animals know to avoid them? Will cats eat them? I watch my kids closely and have tried to hammer home NOT to put things in their mouths that are not served to them as food by a trusted adult. How concerned should I be about having these in my yard if more pop up? 

\*Bonus photos of the magnificent Amanita muscaria fairy village (with US quarter for scale) from our backyard when we lived in Juneau, AK for you mushroom lovers!! 

Thanks in advance for any help narrowing down what mushroom this is!! Off to wash my hands thoroughly!! 

Amanita of Some sort NE NC