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Kudonia dubious is a marsupial fungus or leociomycete belonging to the Kudoniev family, order Rytizmovyh. The characteristic features of this representative were studied by the Italian scientist Giacomo Brezadola. The first information about these mushrooms appeared in 1828.
What do doubtful kudonias look like?
Cudonia dubious forms a fruiting body - an apothecia, consisting of a stalk and a cap, on the surface of which there is a layer of bags called asci. Spores mature in these bags. They open in the form of ruptures or cracks.
Description of the cap
The cap reaches 1.5 - 3 cm, has a color from light brown, beige to dark brown. Its shape is convex, less often flattened, the edges are turned inward. The surface is uneven, bumpy, and during rains it becomes slimy.Inside the caps there is loose and whitish pulp that has the smell of almonds; at the junction with the stem, the surface of the fruiting body is wrinkled.
Description of the leg
The legs of the apothecia grow up to 5 cm. Sometimes they are tall, reaching 8 cm. They are thin, hollow inside, up to 0.2 cm in diameter, and can expand upward. The color of the entire apothecia is light, slightly darkening towards the bottom.
Where do doubtful kudonias grow?
These mushrooms grow in coniferous forests. Features of growth:
- the presence of spruce litter, moss;
- arrangement in spiral groups;
- the season of appearance is from July to September, the mass ripening period is the second half of August.
This is a rather rare species, found in Asia, Korea and Europe. But if he appears in the forest, then in entire colonies, forming, according to eyewitnesses’ descriptions, “witch circles.” It is less common in Russia; in some places it can be seen in the European part. Another species of this family is Cudonia twisted, which is a more common mushroom in our country.
Is it possible to eat dubious kudonia?
This species is inedible. But nothing is known about its toxicity. Research in this area may be ongoing.
Mushroom look-alikes
There are not many duplicates of dubious kudonia. Some mushroom pickers confuse it with twisted kudonia. The difference is that the color of the stem is slightly lighter than that of the cap.
This mushroom is also similar in appearance to Leotia lubrika gelatinous. But in Leotia, the cap has a false character: in fact, it is a continuation of the stem. It does not take a prostrate form. The pulp has a putrid odor. It is edible, but due to its small size it has no practical value.
Conclusion
Kudonia doubtful has not been studied well by mycologists.Yes, and outwardly it can easily be confused with other species of this class, for example, with the second representative of the family, kudonia twisted. They are not eaten, although this species is not considered poisonous.
