Content
Agrocybe erebia is a type of conditionally edible mushroom that grows in deciduous or coniferous forests. Popularly it has a name specific to its appearance: “vole”. A distinctive feature is the characteristic dark brown color of the cap and the ringed pattern on the stem.
The typical habitat for this specimen is deciduous or coniferous forests. It is often the symbiosis of voles and birches that occurs; growth near this tree is especially rapid due to its feeding habits.
Where does Agrocybe erebia grow?
They grow in small groups or singly.
Group growth is common
The time of active growth of Agrocybe erebia is summer or autumn. The beginning of growth is the end of June.This period ends in mid-September - early October, depending on the climatic conditions of the region. Geographic latitudes are varied: it is particularly widespread in North America. In Russia, Agrocybe erebia is found in the forest belt of the Western and Eastern parts, and can often be found in the Far East, the Urals or Siberia.
Since the successful development of Agrocybe erebia requires low humidity and warmth, the mushroom can be found in ravines, near lowlands, and in clearings among trees. Growth is also common in urban areas - forests and parks, near roads.
What does Agrocybe erebia look like?
The external characteristics of Agrocybe erebium are very specific for the entire genus Cyclocybe. This mushroom is small in size, up to 5 cm high, and has a fragile and delicate structure. The cap is quite fleshy, moist and smooth, voluminous, the leg is thin and short.
Agrocybe erebium has a dark brown, slightly brownish color. A distinctive feature of the color is the presence of a ring-shaped pattern on a pale, almost white leg.
The cap of this specimen is flattened, cone-shaped at the top, and expands without sharp protrusions. The diameter of the cap is up to 7 cm. It has a shiny, sticky surface. The consistency is quite dense, dough-like.
The inner surface has a huge number of folds, the color is pale, creamy.
The stem of Agrocybe erebium is small, seemingly fragile and neat compared to the voluminous cap. Has a cream or beige tint. A striking difference is the presence of a ring-shaped thin fringe in the middle of the leg. This is a neat membrane that forms a kind of shuttlecock, which is unique to this species. The color is identical to the shade of the leg - beige-gray, without patterns or spots, plain.
A shuffle on a leg, characteristic of this specimen
The spores spread by the fungus are brownish in color, small, and light. The aroma is subtle, slightly fruity and sweet.
Is it possible to eat Agrocybe erebia?
Data on the edibility of Agrocybe erebium are vague and poorly studied, so the mushroom is considered conditionally edible. Mushroom pickers are usually wary of such species. Such specimens should never be consumed raw due to the possible entry of toxic substances into the human body.
Taste qualities of mushroom
This variety of mushrooms does not have a particularly pronounced taste. The taste is neutral and has a characteristic “forest” taste inherent in all mushrooms. Has a bitter aftertaste.
False doubles
Mushrooms similar to this species are not found. Even representatives of the entire genus can be easily distinguished from this variety. A thin shuttlecock located on the leg serves as a distinctive feature. No more representatives with similar external characteristics were found.
Use
Cases of eating Agrocybe erebium have not been recorded, and there are no recipes for its preparation due to little knowledge of the toxic effects on the systems and organs of the body.
Only after this the conditionally edible mushrooms are fried, stewed or otherwise used for consumption. However, even high-quality heat treatment may not save you from possible poisoning.
Conclusion
Agrocybe erebia has a thin, delicate pedunculated skirt that makes it a truly recognizable species.Despite the sweetish mild taste and delicate texture, the mushroom has the status of a conditionally edible species; eating it without proper preparation can become a dangerous activity.
