Content
Exidia compressa is a little-studied mushroom, which perhaps only avid mushroom pickers know about. It is worth finding out what these gifts of the forest are before the “silent hunt” begins.
What does Exidia compressed look like?
It resembles a mushroom, a closed shell with a barely noticeable stalk 2-3 cm long. The fruiting body is erect, round, leaf-shaped, compact, disc-shaped or in the form of an inverted cone. As a rule, the surface of young compressed excidia is smooth, but over time it becomes folded and wrinkled.
The color ranges from yellow and amber shades to red-brown, and when the flesh dries, it begins to turn black. The edge of the fruiting body is wavy and wrinkled. Characterized by inexpressive taste and smell.
Basidia are four-spored with a buckle at the base and long cylindrical sterigmata, reaching sizes of 10-13 × 7-10 µm.Spores are 12-14×3-4 µm, thin-walled, hyaline, allantoid with a pronounced apex.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Mushrooms of this genus have several varieties, some of which are edible. However, this specimen belongs to the group of inedibles, but is not considered poisonous.
Where and how does it grow
This species can be found on dead deciduous wood that grows along rivers and lakes.
The variety is widespread throughout Russia, and the favorable time for their growth is from July to September. However, in some parts of the country with a mild climate, this specimen continues to grow continuously.
For example, in the southern region of Russia, where winter frosts reach a maximum of -10 degrees, mushrooms do not die. And at above-zero temperatures they continue to develop and form spores. In those regions where the winter is more severe, for example, in the European part, exidia successfully winters and begins to grow immediately after the thaw.
In dry weather, the fruiting bodies dry out, acquiring a black tint, turning into hard thin crusts, the viability of which is several years in herbarium conditions. However, with heavy rain, the mushrooms return to their original form.
Doubles and their differences
There are several types of mushrooms that are considered twins of Exidia compresses:
- Exidia ferruginosa – resembles a compressed one in shape and color. However, the glandular one has a more saturated black color, and small warts can be seen on the surface of the fruiting body. It is believed that this doppelganger is an edible and tasty mushroom.
- Exidia truncated – similar in color and shape.You can distinguish a double from a real one by the presence of a lower velvety surface and small warts on its fruiting body. Classified as inedible.
- Exidia blooming – has a similar color and round, flattened fruiting bodies. However, it will not be so difficult to distinguish the double from the compressed exidia, since most often it grows on birch. This species is never found on willow. It is an inedible species.
- Trembling foliage - similar in shape and color of fruiting bodies, but this species is quite rare and grows on stumps. Experts classify it as an inedible species and do not recommend using it for food.
Conclusion
Exidia compressa is found in almost every forest. However, for a mushroom picker it has no value.
