Content
Tuberous collibia has several names: Gymnopus tuberous, Amanita tuberous, Microcollibia tuberous. The species belongs to the Tricholomovaceae family. The species parasitizes on the decomposed fruiting bodies of large tubular mushrooms: saffron milk caps or russula. Belongs to a toxic inedible species.
What does Collibia tuberous look like?
This is the smallest representative of the family, has a white or cream color and is characterized by bioluminescent ability (glows in the dark). The hymenophore is well developed and has a lamellar structure.
Description of the cap
Hat shape:
- in young specimens it is convex – 20 mm in diameter;
- as it grows, it is flat-convex, with a noticeable depression in the middle;
- the edges are smooth or concave, the color is lighter than the central part;
- the surface is smooth, hygrophanous, transparent, with defined radial stripes of spore-bearing plates;
- the plates do not protrude beyond the cap and are located sparsely.
Description of the leg
The stem of Collibia tuberous is thin - up to 8 mm wide, grows up to 4 cm in length:
- cylindrical shape, tapering at the top;
- structure fibrous, hollow;
- upright or slightly curved at the base;
- the surface is smooth, with a white felt coating near the cap;
- the color is light brown or yellow, darker than the upper part of the fruiting body.
Collibium tuberous is formed from the sclerotium in the form of an oblong rounded body, which consists of intertwined myceliums. The color is dark brown, the surface is smooth. The length of the sclerotium is within 15 mm, width – 4 mm. Has luminescent properties.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Collibia tuberosa is toxic. Gymnopus can only grow on the remains of large mushrooms with a high protein content. When decomposed, the substance releases toxic compounds. During the process of symbiosis, collibia accumulates them and becomes poisonous to humans. It has an unpleasant odor and an unaesthetic appearance.
Where and how does it grow
The distribution area of Gymnopus tuberous directly depends on the growth sites of large lamellar species with thick flesh. Gymnopus is not a rare specimen; it is found from the European part to the southern regions. It parasitizes on old decayed mushrooms. Forms small families from August until the onset of frost.
Doubles and their differences
Lookalikes include Collybia cirrhata (Collybia curly). Saprotroph grows on the blackened remains of milk mushrooms, Myripulus gigantea, and saffron milk caps.
Externally, the mushrooms are similar, Collybia cirrhata is larger, less toxic, and lacks sclerotium. The base of the leg is covered with long white hair. The edges of the cap are wavy. A mushroom without taste or smell, inedible.
The surface of the leg has fine, thick, white hair. The double is inedible.
Conclusion
Collibia tuberosa is a small, inedible crop that contains toxins in its chemical composition. Grows on the remains of large fruiting bodies from late summer to mid-autumn. Distributed throughout the temperate climate zone.
