Content
Xerula long-legged is an edible mushroom that amazes mushroom pickers with a very long, thin stem and a fairly large cap. Often the species is confused with a poisonous specimen and people pass by, not knowing that the mushroom has a good aroma and taste. But before collecting unfamiliar varieties, you need to study the description and carefully look at the photos so as not to add false duplicates to your basket.
What does Xerula long-legged look like?
Xerula long-legged, or Gymnopus long-legged, is an interesting representative of the mushroom kingdom. In order not to make a mistake in your choice, you must first have an idea of the appearance of the mushroom:
Description of the cap
This species is distinguished by a small cap, up to 80 mm in diameter.At a young age it is convex, with age it straightens, and the edges bend upward. The central tubercle is preserved, then depressions and wrinkles appear. The dry, velvety, dense skin is colored lemon-brown or dark gray. On the lower part there are rare snow-white plates, partially connected to the stem.
Xerula reproduces by colorless ellipsoidal spores located in spore powder.
Description of the leg
The species got its name because of its thin, very long stalk. Its thickness is about 30 mm and its length is up to 15 cm. The stem is buried in the ground, which makes the mushroom more stable. The shape can be round-cylindrical or flat. Thin velvety scales are colored to match the color of the cap.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
The rare specimen is edible. It has snow-white, tasty flesh with a light, pleasant aroma. Therefore, it makes delicious stewed, salted, pickled, and fried dishes.
Where and how does it grow
Gymnopus long-legged is a rare specimen. Prefers to grow on stumps, in dust, on the roots of deciduous trees. The mushroom representative grows in small groups. The fruiting period is from July to October.
Doubles and their differences
In order not to make mistakes during mushroom hunting, you need to know that Gymnopus has doubles. These include:
- Collibia root - an edible species, very similar to a long nail with a small slimy cap, colored brown. When squeezed, the root part does not change shape and remains round.
- Pluteus scaly - an inedible specimen, which is distinguished by a gray cap with ungrown plates. Fruiting occurs from late spring to early July.
Important! Pluteus scalema can cause food poisoning.
- Collibia fusiformis - poisonous variety. It has tough flesh and a red-brown cap that discolors with age. Fruiting occurs from late spring to mid-summer.
- Xerula hairy – refers to the conditionally edible representatives of the mushroom kingdom. You can recognize it by its long stem and large cap with a fleecy bottom. In adult specimens, the edges are strongly curved upward, which makes it easy to see the thin plates. Prefers to grow in groups in mixed forests. Fruiting occurs from mid-summer to the end of September.
Conclusion
Xerula longlegs is a rare species that prefers to grow in deciduous forests. The mushroom is edible; thanks to its tasty pulp and delicate aroma, it is used to prepare a variety of dishes.
