Content
A lamellar edible mushroom of the Omphalote family, it belongs to the 3rd group in terms of nutritional value. Collibium Azema is known by several names: Gymnopus Azema, Rhodocollybia Butyracea, Rhodocollybia Butyracea var. Asema.
Description of Azema collibium
Gymnopus Azema is a saprophytic species that grows on rotted wood debris or broken leaf layer, in moist acidic soils. The color of the fruiting body is light gray with a greenish tint; in an open sunny area it is silvery-ashy; light brown specimens are less common.
Description of the cap
The hat does not come in one tone; the convex central part is darker, often with an ocher tint. A hygrophanic band in the form of a circle is defined along the edge; in a humid environment it is more pronounced, in a dry environment it is less pronounced. May be completely absent.
Characteristics of the collibia cap:
- at the beginning of growth, the shape is round with concave edges;
- in an older mushroom - prostrate, uneven edges raised upward, diameter - 4-6 cm;
- the protective film is slippery and oily, regardless of air humidity;
- The plates are light with a slight gray tint, of two types. Large ones are often located, firmly fixed in the lower part. Small ones occupy 1/3 of the length, are located along the edge, in adult specimens they protrude beyond the boundaries of the fruiting body;
- spore powder is grayish.
The white pulp is dense, thin, fragile. With a pleasant smell and sweet taste.
Description of the leg
The leg of the Azema collibium grows to 6-8 cm in length and 7 mm in diameter. The color is uniform, gray-yellow with a slight brown tint.
The color is always the same as the surface of the cap. The leg is wider at the base than at the top. The structure is fibrous, hard, hollow.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
This type of colibia belongs to the group of edible mushrooms. Suitable for any processing method. The pulp is dense, with a pleasant taste, and does not require special processing. Collibium is used for salting and pickling. Mushrooms are fried, included in assorted vegetables, and prepared as first courses.
Where to look for Azema collibia
The species is common in the southern regions and temperate climate zone. Grows in mixed forests, deciduous and coniferous. The main condition is moist, acidic soil.
How to collect Collibium Azema
The species belongs to autumn mushrooms; fruiting time is from August to the first half of October. In warm climates, the last specimens can be found in early November. The main growth begins after the rains, when the temperature drops to +170 C. It grows under trees on a moss or coniferous cushion, the remains of rotten wood, stumps and bark, branches or rotten leaves.
Doubles and their differences
Similar species include oily collibia. A closely related mushroom is difficult to distinguish from Rhodocollybia Butyracea var. Asema.
The fruiting time of the twin is the same, and the distribution area is the same. The species is classified as conditionally edible. Upon closer examination, it is clear that the twin is larger and its fruiting body is darker.
Conclusion
Collibium Azema is an edible saprophytic mushroom. Fruiting occurs in autumn, distributed from the south to European regions. It grows in forests of various types on wood debris and rotted leaf litter. The fruit body is universal in processing.
