Content
- 1 Where does the dung mushroom grow?
- 2 What does a dung beetle look like?
- 3 Is the dung mushroom edible or not?
- 4 Types of dung mushrooms
- 5 Taste qualities of mushrooms
- 6 Benefits and harm to the body
- 7 Dung mushroom for alcoholism
- 8 Rules for collecting dung beetles
- 9 How to cook dung mushroom
- 10 Conclusion
Detailed photos, descriptions and preparation of the dung beetle mushroom will be useful to those who decide to collect truly edible fruits. After all, most representatives of the species are toxic and unsuitable for food.
Where does the dung mushroom grow?
Dung mushrooms belong to the genus Dung and the Champignon family and are considered conditionally edible, but not all of them. The name translated into Latin sounds like Coprinus, so the mushrooms are often called that way.
From the name it becomes clear that the fruiting body grows in manure. But it turns out that you can meet him not only there. Dung beetles settle on rotting waste, rotting sawdust and other organic debris. In spring and autumn it can be seen in the garden, in the fields where the dung beetle grows in groups or separately. And there is reasonable confirmation of this - dung beetles are classified as saprotrophs. This means that mycelium requires dead cells and decaying organic matter to grow.
On the territory of Russia, the mushroom can be found almost everywhere; it is not found only in the Far North. It is especially common in the middle zone. Fruits from early May to late October.
What does a dung beetle look like?
You can recognize a dung beetle by its cap, which has a characteristic conical, convex or bell-like shape. In most representatives it remains this way throughout the entire developmental stage. But there are mushrooms with a flat cap. Its upper part is covered with scales or flakes. The flesh of the cap is loose.
The stem of the mushroom is cylindrical, smooth, hollow inside. Its pulp is fibrous.
On the underside of the cap you can see white plates that darken when ripe. The spores are also black.
Is the dung mushroom edible or not?
It is not for nothing that the dung beetle is considered conditionally edible. This depends not only on the species it belongs to, but also on the age of the mushroom. Only young fruits can be cooked, because after ripening they become toxic.
Special literature indicates that dung beetles belong to the fourth hazard class. Only the caps of some species are eaten until they reach maturity. But even dishes made from properly prepared dung beetles cannot be combined with alcohol. This is due to the fact that the fruiting body contains coprine, which prevents alcohol from being absorbed and causes severe poisoning. The most harmless thing that can happen from such a combination is indigestion.
Types of dung mushrooms
At the beginning of the 20th century, the genus Dung beetles included more than 50 species of mushrooms.But later some of them were crossed off the list. Today, no more than 25 varieties belong to this family. Only a few of them can be cooked.
Poisonous dung mushrooms
To recognize toxic dung mushrooms and not accidentally put them in the basket, you need to read the photo and description of the fruit before going to the forest.
A striking representative of poisonous mushrooms is the snow-white dung beetle; it should not be confused with the white one. The cap is characteristically ovoid, very small, no more than 3 cm in diameter. After ripening, it takes on the shape of a bell. The skin is pure white and densely covered with a coating similar to powdery mildew. When pressed, it can be easily erased. The plates are gray on the underside and become black as they ripen. The leg is very thin, high, about 8 cm. There is a powdery coating along the entire length.
The fungus is common in livestock grazing areas and grows in or near manure. Appears in mid-summer and continues to reproduce until autumn.
Among the poisonous mushrooms, downy dung beetle is also known. Outwardly it looks like a spindle. The cap is up to 4 cm long and about 2 cm in diameter. However, only a young fruit looks like this; after two days the cap opens and takes on the shape of a bell. The skin becomes dark olive, but its entire surface is covered with white flakes. From a distance it may seem that the cap is completely white. The leg of the fluffy dung beetle is thin and long, about 8 cm. The pulp is brittle, quickly breaks down and turns black.
This species can be found in old plantings where there are a lot of rotten trees. The representative feeds on decaying leaves. Can be found in areas where manure is processed and stored. It grows actively in the summer-autumn period.
The dung beetle can be identified by its bell-shaped cap. In an adult mushroom, it takes on the appearance of an umbrella. Diameter – no more than 5 cm. The dung beetle is colored in yellow-brown tones. The entire surface of the cap is covered with small white scales, more like dots. The pulp of the fruit is elastic, light, and does not smell. The leg is long, white. On the underside, white wide plates are visible, which later turn black.
It is impossible to meet this representative in the forest, which is why it has such a name. Appears in old houses, where it is very damp, on rotten wood and stumps. Does not grow in open areas. It reproduces only in summer; its numbers decline in autumn.
The mottled dung beetle or woodpecker is distinguished by an elongated ovoid cap up to 10 cm in diameter. The surface is dark, almost black, but completely covered with white spots. The pulp is light, has a bad and pungent smell, and is very fragile. The leg can grow up to 30 cm. The plates of young representatives are pink, then turn black.
The mushroom is common in dry and shady forests, where there is a lot of rotting wood. Woodpecker dung beetle grows well in fertile lands. The fruits appear from late August to November. They are classified as hallucinogenic species.
The scattered dung beetle looks more like a jellyfish. The skin is velvety, pleasant cream color. There is no pulp, no smell either. The cap is supported on a short thin stem, which becomes gray in color. The plates are convex, often black.
The species grows only in conditions of high humidity; if it is not there, it completely stops development until the mycelium disappears. They can be found on stumps; they are almost completely covered with dung beetles. Appear from early spring until autumn.Edibility has not been established.
The dung beetle has a bell-shaped cap that is colored a pleasant brown color. It rests on a thin wavy leg. The pulp is light. The plates are brown.
This variety prefers fertile but loose soil. Dung beetles grow in groups and are often found on the lawn, fields or meadows. They can be seen en masse not only in autumn, but also in summer, because under suitable conditions the mycelium does not stop growth. They are not eaten as food, as the fruits cause hallucinations, mental disorders, paranoia, and have a depressant effect on the central nervous system.
The folded dung beetle is distinguished by a yellowish cap, which acquires a lighter shade with age. Mature plates are open, young ones are attached to the stem, light-colored. The mushroom resembles an umbrella. The surface of the cap is all folded, the diameter is up to 3 cm. The stem is thin, medium-sized, fragile.
The representative is found along roads, in meadows, and in the steppes. The life cycle is short, bearing fruit from May to October. The fruit is destroyed 12 hours after appearance. They are not eaten; the mushroom is almost impossible to find.
Edible dung beetles
Among the edible dung beetles, there are very few mushrooms that can be fried, boiled and eaten. There are only two types of them:
- white;
- grey.
White dung beetle has a pleasant taste, but only when young. The fruit cannot be stored for a long time; it quickly deteriorates. Externally, it can be distinguished by its characteristic features. The cap is white, uneven, covered with scales. At a young age it looks more like a spindle, but later opens up. White plates are visible from below. The stem of the mushroom is thin and tall, up to 10 cm.
The distribution area is wide. Found along roads, in gardens, orchards, and fields.Grows from spring to autumn.
Gray dung beetle has a sweet taste and is boiled before cooking. The mushroom cap is gray in color, covered with scales, and is supported by a short thin stalk.
Found everywhere from early spring to autumn. It grows in groups and can be found near compost heaps and in humid forests.
The remaining varieties can be classified as conditionally edible dung beetles. They quickly break down and must be eaten almost immediately after collection. These are dung beetles:
- Romagnesi;
- ordinary;
- shimmering.
The dung beetle Romagnesi is distinguished by its umbrella-shaped cap with rounded edges. It is small, about 6 cm in diameter. The skin is beige in color and covered with scales. There is almost no pulp, most of it is white plates. The leg is of medium thickness, grayish in color.
The representative grows in groups and is found in cool areas. Settles on rotting wood. It grows in parks, fields, and vegetable gardens. Fruits abundantly in early spring and autumn. In summer it can only be found in the Northern regions. Only young caps with light plates are prepared.
The common dung beetle has a cap in the shape of an ellipse, it is completely covered with furrows, and is colored gray. The edges of the cap are wavy and torn. The pulp is odorless, young plates are white. The leg is inclined, of medium size.
The mushroom grows singly on fertile soil. After rains, it can be found in landfills, forests, and parks. Appears from spring to autumn. It needs to be prepared as soon as possible; the fruits are not stored.
The shimmering dung beetle looks beautiful and can be consumed at a young age. Its ovoid cap is light brown in color and covered with small grooves. Its edges are torn and wavy. The white pulp is sour in taste, brittle, and has no smell.The leg is thin, of medium length, brown underneath, but the main color is white. The plates are also brown at first, but later become black.
Shimmering dung beetles grow in clusters, like honey mushrooms. They settle only on dry wood. You can meet them in parks, squares, and dense forests. However, they do not grow on the remains of coniferous trees, so they are not found in pine forests. They bear fruit from spring to late autumn.
Taste qualities of mushrooms
Freshly prepared dung mushrooms do not have a distinct taste. Some types are good pickled, they become sweet. They are often used in simple recipes.
Benefits and harm to the body
Edible dung mushroom, properly collected and prepared, has great benefits for the body. It contains:
- cellulose;
- B vitamins;
- amino acids;
- microelements.
They are recommended for consumption by diabetics, as these mushrooms have a hypoglycemic effect. In folk medicine they are used to treat prostate diseases and improve immunity. Ointments are prepared from dung beetle for malignant dermatitis and ulcers. A water infusion is recommended to improve digestion and as an expectorant.
However, even edible species can be harmful if they were collected in the wrong place and stored incorrectly. They cause poisoning because they absorb heavy metal salts and all harmful substances from the soil in which they grew.
Dung mushroom for alcoholism
As already mentioned, the dung mushroom is incompatible with alcoholic beverages, so it is popularly used to treat alcoholism. According to reviews, daily intake of a small amount of forest product causes a persistent aversion to alcohol.This was also noticed by pharmaceutical companies, which began to produce tablets based on coprinus to treat binge drinking.
However, not all types of dung beetle can be used for treatment. Only gray and shimmering are suitable.
Rules for collecting dung beetles
Even edible dung beetles can cause unwanted effects, so they need to be collected when they are young. A mature mushroom's cap unfolds, which indicates its age. There is no need to touch them. Only dense, clean and light-colored fruits are cut.
It is also worth considering the place where dung beetles grow. It doesn’t matter whether they are eaten or used for medicinal purposes, preference should be given to forest fruits that grow in grass or on wood. It is better to refuse collection in:
- dung heaps;
- compost pit;
- city landfills;
- livestock grazing area;
- near the roads.
How to cook dung mushroom
Dung mushrooms must be cooked within the first 2 hours after collection, otherwise they will turn into mucus. Use only quick processing, after first cleaning the stem and removing the film from the cap. Before cooking, the fruits are sorted and any suspicious ones or those with pink plates are thrown away.
Dung mushrooms are usually fried, boiled and pickled. There are several simple recipes:
- Stewed in sour cream. To do this, boil the mushrooms in salted water for 30 minutes. After this, simmer in sour cream over low heat, seasoning with pepper. At the end you can add fried onions and greens.
- Omelet with cheese. To do this, dung beetles need to be fried until golden brown, pour in the egg-milk mixture, and fry for another 10 minutes. At the end of cooking, sprinkle the omelette with grated cheese.
- Noodle soup. Pre-boil the mushrooms for 30 minutes. After this, fry with carrots and onions in butter. Add potatoes to the broth, fry them and cook for 10 minutes, then add noodles. Cook until done, sprinkle with herbs.
It is worth considering that you cannot cook dung beetles with other mushrooms, so choose recipes with one type.
Conclusion
Photos, descriptions and preparation of dung beetle mushroom will help those who decide to taste the rare fruit. To avoid poisoning, you must follow all recommendations for collection and storage, and throw away suspicious specimens. It is better to use dung beetle for traditional medicine after consulting a doctor.
