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The volva is the prominent cup-shaped feature at the base of this Amanita caesarea.

The volva is a mycological term to describe a cup-like structure at the base of a mushroom which is a remnant of the Universal veil. This macrofeature is very important in wild mushroom identification due to it being an easily observed, taxonomically significant feature which almost always signifies a member of Amanitaceae. This has particular importance due to the disproportionately high number of deadly poisonous species contained within that family.

A mushroom's volva is often partially, or completely burried in the ground, and therefore care must be taken when removing the mushroom, if it resembles an Amanita.

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