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Larch hygrophorus belongs to the Hygrophoraceae family, the Latin name of which is Hygrophorus lucorum. This name also has a number of synonyms: hygrophorus or yellow hygrophorus, as well as Limacium lucorum.
What does larch hygrophore look like?
Prefers moderate moisture and grassy soil
The fruiting body of the yellow hygrophore consists of a cap and a stalk with the following characteristics:
- Initially, the cap is bell-shaped, but later becomes flat with a concave middle. The diameter ranges from 2 to 6 cm. The surface is sticky, slippery, and painted lemon yellow. On some specimens you can see the remains of a veil along the edges of the cap.
- On the underside of the cap there are slightly descending, sparse, but thick plates. Young mushrooms are white in color, but with age they become yellowish.
- The spores are ellipsoid, colorless, smooth.
- The stalk of the larch hygrophore is fibrous and cylindrical, the width in diameter is 4-8 mm, and the length is 3-9 cm. Its color varies from white to light yellow.
- The pulp is white, has no distinct odor, and is tasteless.
Where does larch hygrophorus grow?
The favorable time for the development of this fungus is from summer to autumn, but active fruiting occurs from September to November. This specimen received its appropriate name due to the fact that it forms mycorrhiza exclusively with larch. That’s why these mushrooms often live in deciduous forests. But they can also be found in park areas or meadows.
Is it possible to eat larch hygrophorus?
This specimen belongs to the edible group, which does not require preliminary cooking before cooking. But larch hygrophor is not suitable as an independent dish, since it does not have a pronounced taste.
False doubles
The specimen does not have a pronounced taste or smell
Larch hygrophorus is similar in some ways to the following forest products:
- Hygrofor is beautiful – belongs to the category of edible mushrooms. It grows in the same places as larch, but is quite rare. A distinctive feature is the color of the cap; in young specimens it is orange, but over time it becomes golden yellow.The edges of the cap are paler than its center.
- Hygrophorus meadow is an edible species. At the initial stage of maturation, the cap is hemispherical with a central tubercle, after some time it becomes almost flat. This specimen is most often found in grazing areas and meadows.
- Hygrophor yellowish-white - an edible specimen, but due to the abundant mucus on the cap, the cooking process is complicated. The cap is hemispherical, ash-white in color. There is a layer of protective mucus on the surface. The leg is fibrous and straight, the same color as the cap, strewn with small scales. It grows in mixed and deciduous forests, most often found next to beeches and oaks.
Rules for collection and use
When going in search of larch hygrophore, you should remember that it grows exclusively in the vicinity of larch. It can also be found quite often in parks or squares. The fruiting bodies are very fragile, and therefore should be removed from the soil with particular care. To avoid damage, it is advisable to store mushrooms separately from other larger relatives.
This specimen is quite versatile, as it is suitable for almost any type of culinary processing. But due to the lack of a pronounced taste, experienced mushroom pickers recommend combining larch hygrophor with other, more aromatic and tasty gifts of the forest.
Conclusion
Hygrophorus larch is a fairly common species that lives in meadows, forests or parks. It has one drawback - the pulp of this mushroom is almost tasteless. However, it is great for pickling, pickling or other dishes in combination with more aromatic forest fruits or spices.
