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Collibia recurta is a conditionally edible mushroom. Also known by the names: Gymnopus curved, Rhodocollybia prolixa (Latin - wide or large rhodocollybia), Collybia distorta (Latin - curved collybia) and popularly - money.
Translated from ancient Greek it means “broken penny”. There are many different species in the genus Rhodocollibia with slight external differences.
What does Collibia curved look like?
Tree mushrooms belong to the Ryadovkov family, also small ones, which an inexperienced eye will simply slip past without paying attention.
Description of the cap
The diameter of the cap of the species is from 2 to 8 cm.The top is convex, with a central tubercle, and with age a depression appears. The edges are turned down in young mushrooms, then straightened, sometimes curled up. The color of the cap is in soft brown-yellow tones, with light edges. The smooth skin is slippery to the touch, as if oily. The flesh is light cream and looks meaty.
The plates are frequent below and attached to the stem. In young specimens, the caps are white on the inside, then become buffy.
Description of the leg
The legs are hollow inside, 4-8 cm long, curved, thin, up to 8 mm. The deeper the base of the fruiting body is in the wood, the more the fibers become bent. Those collibias that appear on fallen leaves have straight legs. A powdery coating is noticeable on the longitudinal depressions on top, and hairiness below. The color is white, brownish underneath.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Collibia curved is taken in addition to other mushrooms. There are no toxins in the pulp, but the taste may be similar to sawdust. The mushrooms are boiled twice, then fried. The broth is poured out.
Where and how does it grow
The species is found in any forests of central Europe and Asia. They grow in large groups on rotting wood, fallen branches or below on coniferous leaf litter. The time for curved collibium is from the 20th of August to October 1-15.
Doubles and their differences
There are no poisonous mushrooms similar to the recurved collibia that appear on fallen trees. False honey mushrooms and other representatives of the genus differ noticeably in color and shape.
Conclusion
Due to the lack of a pleasant taste, bent collibia rarely ends up in the basket. Of the fruiting body of the mushroom, only the cap is used for eating.
