Content
Hygrocybe acuminata is part of the widespread genus Hygrocybe. The definition arose due to the sticky skin of the top of the fruiting body, soaked in liquid. In the scientific literature, the mushroom is called: Hygrocybe persistens, Hygrocybe acutoconica, Hygrocybe conica.
There is another option for household use: a wet head.
A distinctive feature of the inedible variety is the pointed tip of the bright mushroom body
What does Hygrocybe acuminata look like?
The cap has a narrowed cone shape, which is especially characteristic of young mushrooms. As it grows, the edges move away, the silhouette of the tip becomes wide-conical. The tubercle in the middle remains, the fragile border often breaks.The fine-fibrous, smooth skin becomes slippery and sticky after rain. During the dry period it appears shiny and silky. The width of the upper part is up to 9 cm, so the mushroom is noticeable both in size and bright color:
- the entire surface area is yellow-orange or yellowish;
- the elevation in the center is much more intense in color.
At the end of growth, the entire surface becomes darker. When pressing on the fruiting body, the skin also darkens.
The light yellow plates are loose or, conversely, tightly attached to the cap. Their edges are widened. Often the records do not reach the border. In old mushrooms, the plates are grayish; when pressed, a dark gray color also appears.
The thin yellowish flesh is fragile, which is why the edge often breaks and turns black after pressing. Spore powder is white.
Tall, up to 10-12 cm, the leg is very thin, only 9-10 mm. Smooth, straight, slightly thickened at the base, finely fibrous, hollow inside. The color of the surface corresponds to the shade of the top, the bottom lightens to white.
The fruiting bodies of the wethead with toxic substances are distinguished by long thin legs, which distinguish them from similar species
Where does Hygrocybe acuminatum grow?
The species is distributed in Eurasia and North America in the temperate climate zone, especially in warm regions. More often, brightly colored mushroom families are found in wet meadows, in old gardens, less often in clearings and edges of mixed forests from late spring until the first frost. Hygrocybe acuminata prefers alkaline sandy soil and grows under solitary deciduous trees.
The fruiting bodies are similar to other moist heads with a brightly colored surface, especially the slightly poisonous Hygrocybe conical, the surface of which darkens after pressure.
The fruiting body of a similar mushroom turns black when ripe
Is it possible to eat Hygrocybe acuminata?
Toxic substances have been identified in the pulp of yellowish-orange moist heads with a pointed tip. Hygrocybe acuminata is inedible. There is no distinct odor emanating from the pulp. Pointed poisons are not fatal, but can cause serious illness. The orange-yellow cone-shaped cap with a pointed tubercle in the center should serve as a warning to inexperienced mushroom pickers.
Conclusion
Hygrocybe acuminata is a representative of a widespread genus, which includes small fungal bodies, conditionally edible and inedible, some of which are poisonous. The brightly colored pointed tip indicates that the mushroom cannot be collected.
