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The battarrea phalloides mushroom (Battarrea phalloides) is a rare mushroom belonging to the Agaricaceae family, genus Battarrea. It belongs to the relics of the Cretaceous period. Considered common, but quite rare. Based on its similar appearance in the egg stage, it was previously identified as belonging to the genus Raincoat. A young specimen in the period of not yet ruptured endoperidium is similar to cap mushrooms.
Where does Battarrea veskovica grow?
Battarrea is considered a rather rare species due to the characteristics of the soil where it grows. Listed in the Red Book of the Rostov and Volgograd regions.
Its distribution area is in the countries of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia), but on the territory of the Russian Federation it can be found in the Arkhangelsk, Volgograd, Novosibirsk regions, Minusinsk, as well as in the Caucasus and the Altai Republics. In addition, the mushroom is common in such countries as:
- England;
- Germany;
- Ukraine;
- Poland;
- Algeria;
- Tunisia;
- Israel.
And also in some states of North and South America, even in the Sahara Desert.
Prefers dry sandy-clayey soils. Usually lives in semi-desert areas, desert steppes, loams, and rarely in sandy deserts.
It grows in small groups, where only a few fruiting bodies are located nearby. Mycorrhiza does not form with tree roots due to the fact that trees do not grow in their habitat.
Fruits twice a year:
- in the spring - from March to May;
- in autumn - from September to October.
What does Battarrea Veselkova look like?
The young mushroom Battarreya veskovica has a spherical or ovoid fruiting body up to 5 cm in transverse length, located underground. As it grows, the cap differentiates, the stalk becomes well developed, and the mature mushroom grows to 17-20 cm in length.
The exoperidium of battarrea veselkova is quite thick, two-layered. The top layer has a leathery surface, the inner layer is smoother. As it grows, the outer part cracks, forming a bowl-shaped volva at the bottom near the stem. The endoperidium is white and spherical in shape. Some kind of gaps appear along the circular line.The upper, separated hemispherical part, on which the gleba is located, remains on the stalk. The spores themselves remain uncovered, which allows them to be easily scattered by the wind.
The cut flesh of the cap has transparent fibers and a large amount of spore mass. Due to the movement of fibers (capillicia) under the influence of wind and changes in air humidity, spores are scattered. In mature battarrea, the pulp becomes dusty and remains in this state for a long time.
Under a microscope, the spores are spherical or slightly angular, often with a ribbed protrusion. Their shell is three-layered, where the outer layer is colorless, finely warty, the second is brown, and the last is also transparent and colorless. The spore powder itself is dark, rusty or brown in color.
The stalk of a young specimen is hardly noticeable; in a mature mushroom it is fully developed. At the base and under the cap it is narrowed, in the middle it is more swollen. Less commonly, its shape can be cylindrical. The surface is covered with yellowish or brown scales. The stalk can reach up to 15-20 cm in height, and only 1-3 cm in thickness. The inside is hollow and with a bunch of shiny, white, silky, parallel hyphae. The pulp is fibrous and woody.
In the embryonic stage, Battarrea veselkova looks like some representatives of the Puffballs, namely the meadow and brown, which are classified as conditionally edible. It was precisely because of this similarity that she was initially assigned to this genus.
Is it possible to eat Battarrea veskovica?
Battarrea vesella is classified as inedible; due to its hard, woody fruiting body, it is not eaten.
In the egg stage, Battarrea velar can still be used to prepare some dishes. But since the mushroom is quite rare and grows only in certain conditions, it is very difficult to find young specimens. They have no special nutritional value. The gastronomic quality is very low, and the smell is quite unpleasant, reminiscent of a dog mushroom.
Battarrea veselica does not accumulate toxic substances, so it does not bring much harm to humans, nor any benefit.
Conclusion
Battarrea velar has an unusual appearance and can reach significant heights. It is thanks to the long stalk, which carries the spore-bearing gleba to a more significant height above the surface of the earth, that Battarrea has a high degree of dispersion of spore powder in the open spaces of semi-deserts and steppes.
