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Crepidotus variabilis is a small tree mushroom from the Volokonnitsia family. Until the beginning of the 20th century it had other names:
- Agaricus variabilis;
- Claudopus variabilis;
- Claudopus multiformis.
This oyster mushroom-shaped fruiting body belongs to the extensive species Crepidotes.
What do Crepidotes look like?
These fruiting bodies are classified as the Cap variety with a rudimentary or completely absent stem. They are attached to the surface of the substrate with the side part or the top, with the plates downwards.
The diameter of the fruiting body is from 0.3 to 3 cm, some specimens reach 4 cm. The shape is an irregular shell or blade with wave-curved edges.The cap is whitish-cream or yellowish delicate in color, tomentose-pubescent, with a smooth edge, dry, thin, with weakly defined fibers.
The plates are sparsely located, large, of varying lengths, converging to the attachment point. The color is white, then darkens to grayish-brown, pinkish-sand, lilac. There are no bedspreads. The spore powder is green-brown, pinkish, cylindrical in shape, with thin warty walls.
Where do Crepidotes variable grow?
The mushroom is a saprophyte. Grows on rotting wood debris: stumps, trunks of fallen trees. Prefers hardwood. Often found in dead wood on thin branches. It can also grow on a rotten branch or in rotten hollows of a living tree. It grows in large groups, close to each other, less often at a short distance.
The mycelium bears fruit throughout the warm season, from the moment the air warms up to an acceptable temperature, this is May-June, until the autumn frosts.
Is it possible to eat Crepidotes volatile?
The fruit body has tender pulp with a slightly sweetish taste and an unexpressed pleasant mushroom smell. Non-toxic, no toxic substances were found in the composition. Classified as an inedible mushroom due to its small size.
How to distinguish Crepidotes changeable
The fruiting body bears a great resemblance to other representatives of its species. A characteristic distinguishing feature of each variety is the structure of the spores, which can only be distinguished under a microscope. It has no poisonous counterparts.
- Unfolding (versitus). Not poisonous. It is distinguished by its white color, smooth shell-like shape with a brown junction.
- Flattened (applanatus).Non-toxic. Watery, moist, the edges of the cap are bent inward, and fluffy fibers are located at the site of attachment to the substrate.
- Soft (mollis). It is distinguished by a more even shape of the cap with scales, a brownish color, a edge at the junction and very delicate flesh.
Comment! Soft crepidote is classified as a conditionally edible mushroom. Little known to mushroom pickers due to its small size.
- Cezata. Non-toxic, classified as inedible mushrooms. It is distinguished by sparser and thicker plates, a light edge and a slightly wavy edge, slightly turned inward.
Crepidote variable is also similar to the edible Oyster mushroom or Oyster mushroom. The latter is distinguished by a pronounced elongated attachment point to the substrate, an even rounded cap and larger dimensions - from 5 to 20 cm.
Conclusion
Crepidote variable is a miniature woody saprophyte mushroom, found throughout Europe, Russia and America. Loves shaded places, lives on the remains of representatives of the Nothofagus family and other deciduous species. Less often it settles on coniferous wood or in dead wood. Due to its size and low nutritional value, it is classified as an inedible mushroom. No poisonous counterparts were found in the fruiting body.
