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After a revision in the classification, the maiden umbrella mushroom was assigned to the genus White Champignon of the Champignon family. Known in scientific works as Leucoagaricus nympharum or Leucoagaricus puellaris. Previously, mycologists called the maiden umbrella mushroom Macrolepiota puellaris, considering it a subspecies of the blushing umbrella.
The fringed hats of girls' umbrellas rest on graceful, thin legs
Where does the parasol mushroom grow?
The species is widespread in Eurasia, but is extremely rare. Especially on the European territory of Russia. More often, graceful representatives of a rare variety can be seen in the forests of northwestern Europe, as well as in the Far East. The fruiting bodies of small white champignons are found from August to October:
- in pine forests;
- forests where coniferous and deciduous trees grow nearby;
- on fertile meadows.
What does a girl's umbrella look like?
The white champignon variety has medium sizes:
- cap width from 3.5 to 9-10 cm;
- the height of the leg is rarely higher than 15 cm, usually within 6-11 cm;
- Leg thickness up to 9-10 mm.
The mushroom that emerges from the ground initially resembles an egg in shape. Then the blanket breaks, the cap grows, becomes bell-shaped, and later opens completely, remaining slightly convex and with a low tubercle in the middle. The white skin is covered with light fibrous scales, except for the darker center of the cap. The thin border of the upper part is fringed. Old mushrooms have brown scales.
Narrow fibers of white scales form a fringe on top of the cap
The pulp is white, thin-fleshed, with a faint radish odor. At the point of detachment from the stem, it turns slightly red after the cut. The densely located plates are not attached to the cap and are freely separated from the pulp. On young fruiting bodies the plates are white, with a barely noticeable pinkish tint. When damaged and with age they turn brown. The spore powder is white-cream.
The base of the mushroom is thickened, without a volva; towards the apex the thin stalk narrows and sometimes bends. The fibrous stalk is hollow inside, with a whitish, smooth surface that turns brown with age. The remains of the original blanket have been transformed into a wide and mobile ring with a wavy, fringed border due to flocculation.
Is it possible to eat a girl's umbrella?
The mushroom is edible; in terms of nutritional value, it belonged, like all umbrellas, to the 4th category. But now in many areas the white champignon variety is listed as a protected wildlife site.
False doubles
The maiden umbrella mushroom, even from the photo and description, looks like a blushing umbrella, also edible.
A striking difference between blushing umbrellas is the change in the flesh on the cut
Is different:
- lighter cap;
- graceful, medium-sized fruiting bodies;
- the flesh turns red slightly compared to its counterpart.
Rules for collection and use
The small species of the White Champignon genus is rare, so the law provides protection by prohibiting its collection. In many regions, except for the general ones - in Russia and Belarus, the mushroom is listed in the local Red Books:
- Adygea, Bashkortostan, Tyva;
- Astrakhan, Kemerovo, Saratov, Sakhalin regions;
- Primorye and Khabarovsk Territory.
If picking is allowed, the mushrooms are fried, boiled, and marinated.
Conclusion
The maiden umbrella mushroom really amazes with its grace. The pulp is edible, but the species belongs to legally protected natural objects. Therefore, collection is not recommended.
