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Giant talker is a mushroom that is a member of the Tricholomovaceae or Rowaceae family. This species is distinguished by its large size, which is why it got its name. Also in other sources it is found as giant row. It grows mainly in large groups, in the form of witches' circles. The official name is Leucopaxillus giganteus.
Where do giant talkers grow?
The species can be found in deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests. The mushroom prefers to grow in well-lit edges, clearings, roadsides, as well as in grazing areas and park areas.
In Russia it grows in the following regions:
- European part;
- Western Siberia;
- Far East;
- mountainous regions of the Caucasus.
The giant Crimean talker is also found. In the world, the mushroom can be found in Western Europe, North America and China.
What do giant talkers look like?
A distinctive feature of this species is its large size. The diameter of the cap in an adult specimen reaches 15-25 cm, but sometimes record holders up to 45 cm are found. The thickness of the upper part at the base in a transverse section is 1.5 cm.
The shape of the cap in young specimens is convex, less often flat, but as it grows it becomes concave, forming a funnel in the center. Along the edge it is lobed-wavy. The surface is initially finely velvety, but then the silkiness disappears, and circular scales and sometimes cracks appear.
The color of the cap and legs of the giant talker, as can be seen in the photo, is the same. Initially it is creamy-milky, and as the mushroom matures it becomes white-fawn with light ocher spots.
On the back side of the cap there are dense plates. They descend onto the leg and, with a little physical impact, are easily separated from it. They do not differ in shade from the main tone. The spores are translucent, oval or ellipse shaped. Their size is 6-8 x 3.5-5 microns. Spore powder is white.
The flesh of the mushroom is white, dense, elastic. When cut, it retains its shade. It has a faint smell of freshly ground flour.
The leg of the giant talker is characterized by a smooth surface, without a ring. Its height reaches 4.5-6 cm, and its cross-sectional diameter is 1.5-3 cm. The structure is fibrous and dry.
Is it possible to eat giant talkers?
This species is classified as conditionally edible. This means that it is not poisonous and does not cause poisoning. But it also does not have any special taste, so it belongs to the fourth category.
Taste qualities of the giant govorushka mushroom
Young specimens of giant talker have a neutral taste. Many mushroom pickers find that it resembles boiled fish. As the mushroom ripens, a characteristic bitterness appears, which negatively affects the taste.
Benefits and harm to the body
Giant talker is distinguished by a high content of B vitamins, micro- and macroelements.
Other positive properties of this mushroom:
- reduces the level of bad cholesterol;
- removes toxins;
- normalizes the functioning of the digestive organs.
The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect of giant talker has found application in the treatment of tuberculosis. And the clitocybin contained in its composition allows you to treat diabetes mellitus and epilepsy.
During the process of growth and ripening, the fruiting body absorbs toxic substances and heavy metal salts like a sponge. Therefore, the older the mushroom, the higher the likelihood that it has accumulated harmful components.
False doubles
According to the description, the giant talker is characterized by its large size, so it is very difficult to confuse adult specimens with other species. But it is worth learning to distinguish young mushrooms from their doubles, since many representatives of the Rowadovaceae family are similar to each other, but among them there are also poisonous ones.
Similar types:
- The talker is bent. A conditionally edible species that is superior in taste to other varieties of talkers. A distinctive feature is a tubercle in the center of the cap, which appears in young specimens and persists throughout the entire growth period. This species is also characterized by a white-ocher shade of the fruiting body and a taller stalk compared to its giant relative. The official name is Infundibulicybe geotropa.
- Funnel talker. A distinctive feature of this variety is the cap in the form of a deep funnel with a diameter of 10 cm with a thin and sinuous edge. The color of the fruiting body varies from brownish-fawn to yellow-ochre. You can also distinguish the funnel talker by its fruity smell. This mushroom is considered edible. In special reference books it can be found under the name – Clitocybe gibba.
- The talker is waxy. It belongs to the category of poisonous mushrooms, as it contains a high concentration of muscarine, which causes fatal intoxication. The cap is smooth, 6-8 cm in diameter, the edges are curved upward. The color of the fruiting body is off-white. Among mycologists it is known as Clitocybe phyllophila.
- The club-footed talker. It belongs to the category of conditionally edible mushrooms, but it should not be consumed in combination with alcohol. This species can be distinguished from its giant relative by the leg, which thickens at the base and resembles a club. Also a characteristic feature are rare descending plates. When cut, the flesh is ash-gray with a distinct mushroom smell. The official name is Ampulloclitocybe clavipes.
Collection rules
The fruiting period of the giant talker begins at the end of August and continues until October.If the weather is favorable, this species can be found in November.
You should not collect overgrown mushrooms, as well as those that grow near roads and industrial enterprises. Ignoring this rule may cause food poisoning.
How to cook giant talkers
Before eating the giant talker, you need to boil it for 15 minutes. After this, drain the liquid, and only then use the mushroom to prepare pickles, marinades and main courses. This type is also suitable for drying.
Conclusion
Although the giant talker is considered a conditionally edible species, if all recommendations for collection and preparation are followed, it can compete with other more common mushrooms. The main thing is to know its differences so as not to accidentally confuse it with its poisonous relatives.
