Content
A representative of the Ascomycetes department, Sumner's geopora is known under several Latin names: Sepultaria sumneriana, Lachnea sumneriana, Peziza sumneriana, Sarcosphaera sumneriana. It grows from the southern regions to the European part of the Russian Federation, the main accumulation is in Siberia. Earth mushroom with an exotic appearance is not used for gastronomic purposes.
What does Sumner's geopore look like?
Geopore Sumner forms a fruiting body that lacks a stalk. The initial stage of development takes place under the top layer of soil. Young specimens are spherical in shape and, as they grow, appear on the ground surface in the form of a dome. By the time they ripen, they completely come out of the ground and open up.
The external characteristics are as follows:
- fruiting body in diameter – 5-7 cm, height – up to 5 cm;
- bowl-shaped with jagged, curved, rounded edges, does not open to a prostrate state;
- the walls are thick, fragile;
- the surface of the outer part is brown or dark beige with densely located, long and narrow pile, especially pronounced in young representatives;
- the inner part is glossy with a smooth spore-bearing layer, cream or white with a gray tint;
- the pulp is light, dense, dry, brittle;
- The spores are quite large and white.
Where does Sumner's geopora grow?
The species is classified as a spring mushroom; the initial formation of fruiting bodies occurs in mid-March; if the spring is cold, then this is the first half of April.
Found in the European part and southern regions of the Russian Federation. In Crimea, single specimens can be seen in mid-February. Forms a symbiosis only with cedar. It grows in small groups in coniferous tracts or city alleys where this woody coniferous species is found.
Among the Ascomycetes, Geopora Sumnera is the largest representative. Differs from pine geopore in size.
A similar representative is found in symbiosis only with pine. Distributed in the southern climate zone, found mainly in Crimea. Fruiting is winter, the mushroom appears on the surface in January or February. The small fruiting body is dark brown with less pronounced ragged teeth along the edge. The central part inside is black or brown. Refers to inedible mushrooms. Therefore, there is no need to differentiate between representatives.
Is it possible to eat Sumner's geopora?
No toxicity information available. The fruit bodies are small, the pulp is fragile, in adult specimens it is quite hard, and has no nutritional value.A mushroom with a complete lack of taste, dominated by the smell of rotten pine litter or the soil on which it grows, belongs to the group of inedible species.
Conclusion
Geopora Sumner grows only under cedar trees and is characterized by an exotic appearance. It has no gastronomic value, is included in the category of inedible mushrooms, and is not used for food processing. Fruits in early spring, appears in small groups.
