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Clavariadelphus ligula or clavariadelphus ligula is a mushroom of the Clavariadelphus family. The species is also known by several names: club or posterior tongue. In terms of nutritional value, the cattail is classified in the last category.
Where do cattails grow?
The distribution area of horned horned grass is in all forests where the dominant tree species are pine and spruce, regardless of the climatic zone. Mushrooms are distributed throughout the European part; in the forests of the Leningrad region they grow in large groups, sometimes numbering up to 100 fruiting bodies, but such localizations are rare.
They grow on a coniferous litter covering the remains of wood; a prerequisite is the presence of moss, with which they enter into symbiosis. You can find cattails on the edges near tree trunks, stumps or branches. The fruiting time of clavariadelphus is the end of July. The last specimens in warmer climates are found even in October. Peak fruiting occurs in mid-September.
What do reed cattails look like?
The mace has a rather unusual appearance, unusual for mushrooms. Fruit body without stem and cap.
The shape of the horns resembles a tongue, hence the species name. The external characteristics of the fruiting body are as follows:
- height – from 8 to 12 cm;
- the upper part is round or slightly flat, diameter – 1.5-3 cm;
- the lower part is very narrow, with a thin felt covering;
- the surface of young mushrooms is smooth, after two days small, chaotically formed wrinkles appear;
- the color is light yellow or beige, becoming darker as it grows, acquiring an orange tint;
- the surface is dry, with spores located throughout the fruiting body;
- the structure is hollow, spongy.
The pulp is elastic at the beginning of growth, dry and brittle in mature specimens. White, with a slight bitter taste and no odor.
Is it possible to eat reed cattails?
Rogatik reed is not classified as a poisonous species; its chemical composition does not contain compounds toxic to humans. In the nutritional value classification it is included in the fourth and last group. The species is not in demand due to its small fruiting body and thin pulp. The mace is not prepared in large quantities.
Taste qualities of the mushroom horned reed
There are specimens with a weak and slightly sweet taste, but more often the mushrooms are bitter.Because of this, the nutritional value is low; you can get rid of the unpleasant taste by soaking and boiling. After processing, the slingshots can be fried or included in salads. Possibly stewed with vegetables in sour cream. The species is not processed for winter harvesting. Clavariadelphus is also not suitable for making soup. Fruit bodies after boiling become tasteless and rubbery in structure.
False doubles
Similar species to the lingulate horntail include the pistillate horntail.
The species are very similar in appearance. The double is distinguished by a light lilac color of the lower part and longitudinal wrinkles on the surface. When scrapped, the pulp acquires a brown rather than purple hue. Distributed in the southern part of Russia, found in deciduous forests, growing in numerous colonies on rotten leaf litter. The structure is spongy, with a weak taste, lack of bitterness and odor. The species belongs to the 4th group in terms of nutritional value.
Outwardly similar to clavariadelphus reed and horntail truncated.
The fruiting body of the double is larger, with a flat, wrinkled surface. The coloring is uneven: the club-shaped top is orange, the lower part is light gray with small dense pile. The structure is solid, spongy, the flesh is white, sweetish. In terms of nutritional value, the truncated cattail is classified into the 4th category. It grows in groups near spruce trees and is rare in Russia.
Collection rules
I collect mushrooms at the end of summer near coniferous trees on a moss bed. Places in areas with poor ecology are not considered. Near industrial enterprises, highways or landfills, fruiting bodies accumulate heavy metals and substances toxic to humans; after consumption, such a product can cause intoxication. Do not take old overripe specimens.
Use
In addition to gastronomic use, clavariadelphus reed has become a source of polysaccharides, which are used to stop the growth of breast cancer cells. The fruiting body contains chemicals that are natural antibiotics.
Conclusion
Rogatik reed is a rare mushroom with an unusual appearance. The fruiting body does not have a clear boundary between the cap and the stem. A species with a low gastronomic rating, conditionally edible. Some of the substances in the chemical composition are used for medical purposes for the treatment of cancer.
