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Hypomyces lactiferous is an edible mushroom from the Hypocrete family, genus Hypomyces. Refers to molds that live on the fruiting bodies of other species. Fungi inhabited by these parasites are called lobsters.
What does hypomyces lacticiferous look like?
At first it appears as a coating or film of bright orange or red-orange color. Then very small flask-shaped fruiting bodies called perithecia are formed. They can be viewed through a magnifying glass. The host fungus is colonized gradually, and as a result it becomes completely covered with a bright reddish-orange coating. It becomes compacted and deformed, the plates on the underside of the cap are smoothed out, and its shape can become very bizarre. It is almost impossible to confuse it with any other species.
"Lobster" can reach impressive sizes
The color of the fungus on which it parasitizes resembles boiled lobsters. This is how it got its name.
The spores of Hypomyces are lactiferous, white, fusiform, warty, and very small in size.
The mold parasite not only changes the color of the “host”, but also significantly deforms it
Where does hypomyces lacticiferous grow?
Distributed throughout North America. Found in mixed forests of the USA, Canada, and Mexico. It parasitizes on fungi of the Russula family, which includes different types of Russula and laticifers. Often found on milk mushrooms.
Hypomyces lactiferous usually appears after heavy rains and does not bear fruit for long. After the parasite settles, the “host” stops its development and spores stop forming.
It is found only in the wild in association with other species on which it can parasitize. It is not removed artificially. Fruits from mid or late July to September.
It is very popular in places where it is common. In the USA, lobster mushrooms are sold dried. They can be purchased at farmers markets and some grocery stores. Their price exceeds the cost of dried whites. They are exported to European and Asian countries, especially Japan and China, where they are considered an exotic product.
Is it possible to eat hypomyces lacticiferous?
Hypomyces lactiferous is edible and is even considered a delicacy. Sometimes there are concerns about whether it could colonize poisonous specimens. Most sources reject this; no cases of poisoning have been reported; the mushroom is consumed by a large number of North Americans.
False doubles
Hypomyces has no similar species.Chanterelles can sometimes be mistaken for lobsters.
The chanterelle resembles a “lobster” in shape, but is inferior in size and brightness of color.
Collection rules
It is collected together with the host mushroom. As a rule, they are cut with a knife or removed from the ground with twisting movements so as not to damage the mycelium. There is information that it is almost never wormy. Sometimes old mushrooms become slightly moldy. In this case, it can be taken if the fruiting body is healthy and not damaged. Moldy areas need to be cut off.
Lobster mushrooms are hard to miss even under a layer of dry leaves and needles
They can reach large sizes and weigh from 500 g to 1 kg. It is enough to find 2-3 such mushrooms to fry a large frying pan.
They are easy to collect as their bright color makes them very visible even when they are trying to hide under fallen leaves.
Use
Lobsters can be used to prepare many different delicious dishes. Gourmets love them for the rather delicate taste they impart to the flesh of the carrier.
At first, hypomyces lactiferous has a mushroom aroma, then it becomes similar to the smell of shellfish or fish, which disappears during cooking. The taste is quite mild or slightly spicy.
It is eaten together with the specimen on which it grows. The method of treatment depends on the species it parasitizes. It is often fried by adding other ingredients.
Hypomyces changes the taste of its host and neutralizes its pungency.“Lobsters” that have a pungent taste, such as lobsters, lose their pungency after infestation by this parasite and can be consumed without additional soaking.
Before cooking, they are thoroughly cleaned and washed. Often, dirt penetrates deep into all sorts of curves of the caps; such areas must be cut off.
Conclusion
Hypomyces lactiferous is an unusual edible parasite that is not found in Russia. The exotic mold is highly prized by American and Canadian gourmets; they collect it in large quantities during the fruiting period.
