Content
Hygrophorus spotted is an edible, lamellar mushroom of the Hygrophoraceae family. Grows in deciduous and coniferous substrates from September to October. In order not to confuse the species with inedible specimens, it is important to be able to recognize it by external data.
What does Hygrofor spotted look like?
The mushroom has a small, convex, outstretched cap. The surface is covered with a gray film with numerous dark scales. The ribbed edges are fragile and snow-white. In rainy weather, the color becomes lighter, the surface becomes covered with mucus, and the scales become discolored.
The spore layer is formed by partially adherent white plates.Reproduction occurs by elongated spores, which are found in white powder.
The fleshy, dense leg is covered with dark skin, with pronounced scales. The fibrous, sweetish pulp has no odor.
In rainy weather the surface becomes covered with mucus
Where does spotted hygrophorus grow?
Hygrophorus spotted grows in coniferous and deciduous forests. It grows in numerous families on a moist substrate and bears fruit from September to October.
Is it possible to eat spotted hygrophorus?
This representative belongs to the edible species. Only young, not overgrown specimens, without damage or signs of worms, are used in cooking.
False doubles
Hygrophorus spotted has similar counterparts that can be eaten. In order not to harm your body, you need to be able to distinguish between them, and if the specimen is unknown, then it is better to pass by.
- Blushing – the mushroom is edible, but due to the lack of taste and smell it does not have high nutritional value. You can recognize it by its domed or outstretched cap, pinkish-whitish in color with lemon spots. Grows in mixed forests from August to October.
In cooking it is used in fried and boiled form.
- Poetic – high quality edible mushroom. Grows on hills, among deciduous trees. Fruits in small groups throughout the warm period. You can recognize it by its glossy cap with uneven, slightly curved edges. The skin is colored light red, pale yellow or pink. The strong stem is sticky, with silvery fibers. The tasteless pulp has a pleasant jasmine aroma. It is used for food in fried and boiled form. For the winter, mushrooms can be canned, dried and frozen.
Fleshy pulp exudes a pleasant jasmine aroma
Rules for collection and use
Mushroom picking is carried out in clear, dry weather. It is advisable to go on a quiet hunt in the morning. Since the pulp absorbs toxic substances like a sponge, mushroom hunting is carried out in environmentally friendly places, far from roads and industrial enterprises.
After collection, the mushrooms are carefully inspected for unsuitability, washed and boiled in salted water for several minutes. Prepared mushrooms are suitable for making soups, fried and canned dishes. Mushrooms can be dried for the winter. The dried product is placed in paper or cloth bags and stored in a dry, dark place. The storage period should not exceed 12 months.
Conclusion
Hygrophorus spotted is an edible representative of the mushroom kingdom. Appears in autumn, near spruce and deciduous trees. Since this specimen has an unattractive appearance and can easily be confused with inedible species, it is important to know the detailed description and view photos and video materials.
