Content
Wolf's boletus is an interesting find for lovers of quiet hunting. Despite its similarity to the satanic mushroom, it is an edible species. In order not to confuse the wolf's boletus with other representatives of the mushroom kingdom, it is necessary to study its appearance, habitats and other useful information in as much detail as possible.
What do wolf boletuses look like?
Knowing what the wolf's boletus looks like, you can safely cut the mushroom and put it in a basket.
- Hat. It is quite large in size, reaching a diameter of about 15 cm, sometimes 20 cm. In young fruiting bodies, the cap has a semicircular shape, but over time it becomes semi-prostrate or convex, and a smooth narrowing appears at the edges. In young specimens, the top may have a pale gray or coffee color.In older boletus, the cap becomes similar to suede fabric, but over time the dryness goes away, and the surface becomes almost glossy and smooth. When damaged, the top of the fruit body changes the yellow color of the pulp to blue.
- Leg can grow up to 80 mm, and its diameter is 20-60 mm. It has a cylindrical shape, where the expansion occurs in the middle and bottom, and the narrowing in the upper part. The color of the boletus leg can be bright or pale yellow, with spots of red-brown color easily visible. When damaged, the lower part of the mushroom also turns blue.
Where do wolf's boletuses grow?
The species may not grow everywhere. It prefers warm climates, forests planted with oaks, beeches and other broad-leaved species. It is most often found in Mediterranean countries and in the northern regions of Israel, where the soil is limestone.
Is it possible to eat wolfberry mushrooms?
The fruiting body of the species belongs to the conditionally edible mushrooms and has a rather specific taste, which is valued among gourmets. But wolf boletuses are not dangerous to health, so after preliminary boiling they can be eaten.
False doubles
Among the false doubles, there are also life-threatening specimens, which are also worth learning about before going on a quiet hunt:
- The disease is a satanic or satanic mushroom. It has a more saturated color, and a mesh pattern is clearly visible on the leg. It is poisonous and unsuitable for consumption.
- Pink-skinned boletus. The main distinguishing feature of the mushroom is the color of the stem (a shade of red wine) and the presence of a bright red pattern that covers the entire lower part of the fruiting body.Belongs to the poisonous species.
Collection rules
Wolf's boletus does not grow in Russia. But, like all mushrooms, you need to be able to collect it correctly, following some recommendations:
- Harvesting in areas near industrial enterprises and roads is dangerous. Mushroom pulp absorbs all harmful substances, which are not completely eliminated even by soaking and boiling.
- Fruit bodies that have multiple damage or are completely wormy should also not be placed in a common basket. These mushrooms can cause poisoning.
Use
Wolf boletus can be used as food. But there are some restrictions and features of preparing this “exotic” species:
- The mushroom must be boiled for 15 minutes. Drain the broth and do not use it further.
- The fruiting bodies are not suitable for pickling; it is best to marinate them in order to set off the peculiar taste of this species with vinegar and seasonings.
- Fried, stewed and baked boletus will be more delicious if mixed with fresh spices, garlic or sauce. Not everyone likes them in their pure form.
- The fruiting bodies can also be used for making soups. In this case, already boiled raw materials are also used.
- Wolf's boletus is not suitable for drying and freezing.
Conclusion
Wolf boletus is a rare specimen on the table of lovers of quiet hunting. Despite its specific taste, it attracts attention with its appearance and impressive size compared to other mushrooms.
