Content
Hygrocybe the Beautiful is an edible representative of the Hygrophoraceae family, order Lamellar. The Latin name of the species is Gliophorus laetus. You can also find other names: Agaricus laetus, Hygrocybe laeta, Hygrophorus houghtonii.
What Hygrocybe looks like Beautiful
In order not to collect inedible specimens in the basket, you need to familiarize yourself with the structural features of Hygrocybe the Beautiful.
The mushroom is not large in size. The diameter of the cap ranges from 1 to 3.5 cm. At first the cap is convex, as it matures it opens up, becoming flattened or depressed. The color of the cap varies from lilac-gray to wine-gray with an olive tint. Older specimens develop reddish-orange or reddish hues.The surface is smooth, slimy.
There is no ring on the leg of Hygrocybe Krasivaya
The color of the flesh is slightly lighter than the color of the cap. The mushroom smell is weak. The taste is also unexpressed.
The length of the leg is from 3 to 12 cm, thickness - 0.2-0.6 cm. The color is identical to the color of the cap, usually a grayish-lilac shade predominates. The leg is hollow inside, the surface is smooth, mucous.
Plates form under the cap. They grow to the leg or descend onto it. The edges of the lamellar layer are smooth, the color is identical to the color of the cap, the edges may differ in pinkish-lilac tones.
Spores are ovoid or elliptical.
Where does Hygrocybe Beautiful grow?
This type of mushroom is found in Europe, Japan and America. Prefers humus soil, grows in coniferous and mixed forests, loves moss or grass litter. Most often it grows in groups and is found in bushes.
The fruiting period occurs in the summer months. The first specimens are found in July, the last in September.
Is it possible to eat Hygrocybe Beautiful?
This type of small mushroom is often mistaken for poisonous, so it is collected very rarely.
False doubles
Hygrocybe the Beautiful can be confused with other representatives of the species:
yellow-green is slightly larger. The diameter of the cap is from 2 to 7 cm. The bright lemon-green or orange-yellow color of the mushroom is the main difference from Hygrocybe the Beautiful, which has olive-lilac shades. The yellow-green representative is found infrequently, distributed in Eurasia and North America.It has low taste, so it is rarely used for food. The emergence season is from May to October. Grows singly or in small groups. You can find them in forests and meadows;
A distinctive characteristic of Hygrocybe yellow-green is its bright lemon color.
false-conical is also large in size. The diameter of the cap ranges from 3.5-9 cm. The color is reddish-orange, yellowish. The color of the stem is slightly lighter, maybe lemon yellow. Blackness appears at the site of damage. The mushroom does not have a distinct taste or aroma. Refers to poisonous specimens. Its use in food is fraught with mild digestive upset;
Hygrocybe pseudoconica is a poisonous member of the family.
Hygrocybe pseudoconica is a poisonous member of the family.
meadow has a flat-conical cap measuring from 2 to 10 cm, orange in color. At high humidity the surface is slippery. The leg is fragile, fibrous. The plates are slightly lighter than the entire surface. The color of the spore powder is white. It is found in meadow glades, on the edges of forests, and bears fruit from September to November. Refers to conditionally edible specimens;
Conditionally edible mushroom – Hygrocybe meadows
The crimson variety is distinguished by a reddish-crimson hue, sometimes turning into orange. Representatives of this species are found everywhere in wet areas.
Mushrooms have a good taste, so they can be fried and canned
Use
It is recommended to boil for at least 20 minutes, then drain the water and add the mushrooms to the soup, fry or stew with vegetables. It can be an excellent replacement for the usual mushrooms in cooking.
Conclusion
Hygrocybe the Beautiful is a mushroom that can be used to prepare various dishes. Due to its small size, it is rarely collected and is mistaken for poisonous specimens.
