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The genus Lactarius of the Russula family unites lamellar mushrooms that secrete milky juice when cut. It was studied and isolated by the mycologist Christian Person in 1797. The purple milky is one of 120 species found on earth.
Where does the purple milky grow?
The mushroom is distributed throughout Eurasia. Its favorite habitats are broad-leaved and mixed forests, where oaks and hornbeams, birches and aspens grow. But it can also be found quite often in coniferous forests.While other laticifers grow on soil and rotten leaves, this species appears on the trunks of fallen trees in late summer and early autumn. Mycelia form a symbiosis with tree roots: they entwine them, forming a mycorrhizal cover.
The only one of the genus of laticifers that appears on the trunk of a fallen tree
What does the lilac milky look like?
Wet milkweed (another name for this species) is a small mushroom. The diameter of the cap is 8-15 cm. The gray-pink surface is flat, depressed in the middle. Over time it becomes like a funnel. In wet weather, the cap is slimy, sticky, and shimmers with steel and purple hues. You can feel the fibers along the concave edges. On the inner surface there are whitish or creamy plates. When touched, they, like the cap, turn purple. The juice released on the plates also changes color when exposed to air. The pulp has a light spongy structure of a cream or white color. There is no particular smell, but the fruit body tastes a little bitter.
The stem of this mushroom is high, reaching 10 cm. It resembles an even cylinder in shape, only sometimes thickening at the base. It is hollow and contains no pulp. When cut or broken, the cream color changes to purple.
The edges quickly turn purple when cut.
Is it possible to eat purple milkweed?
This is a conditionally edible mushroom. Nothing is known about its toxicity. But scientists suggest that a small amount of toxins is still present in it. Therefore, it is advised not to eat them. But experienced mushroom pickers collect it together with other types of milk mushrooms, milk mushrooms, and find it to taste quite pleasant.
False doubles
The double is milk mushroom yellow, which grows most often in coniferous forests of Siberia, although it can also be found in mixed plantings. The surface is also sticky and wet. But the color of the cap is yellow; when cut, the flesh turns yellow, a characteristic milky juice is released, and quickly changes color in the air. The dimensions of the yellow milk mushroom are smaller: the diameter of the cap is 8-10 cm, the height of the dense and thick stem is 4-6 cm. It is edible.
The breast has a pleasant yellow color on the outer surface of the cap.
Another double thyroid lactifer. It is interesting that when pressure is applied, its plates also turn purple. But the specimen is distinguished by its ocher, yellowish surface and slightly smaller size. This is an inedible species and scientists do not recommend collecting it.
Thyroid milky - inedible species
Milky gray, like the lilac one, is an inedible fruiting body. It has a grayish-ocher color on the surface of the cap, matching the shade of the low stem. But the skin contains steel and lead scales. The pinkish plates secrete a milky juice that does not change color even after contact with air. Found in late summer among alder trees.
Gray milkweed is another type of inedible fruiting body
Milky lilac also found in alder forests. It is distinguished by its small size and lilac color of the cap with straight, sharp edges. The milky sap is white and does not change color when released.
Conditionally edible milk mushroom lilac
Rules for collection and use
Milk mushrooms are the favorite mushrooms of Russians, although in Europe they are considered inedible. The lilac milky is conditionally edible.For those who are confident in its suitability for food, experts advise:
- collect only young fruiting bodies, which contain fewer toxins;
- do not eat them fried;
- before processing, soak in cold water for two days;
- Boil thoroughly before salting or marinating.
To be sure that the milkweed is edible, it is better to turn to experienced mushroom pickers. They will help you distinguish edible varieties from poisonous ones and advise on the best way to further process them.
Conclusion
The violet milkweed is one of the conditionally edible species of the genus Mlechnikov. For consumption, it is better to collect only edible milk mushrooms, so as not to fear for your health.
