Content
Lepiota castanea is an umbrella mushroom. The Latin name means “scales,” which is consistent with the external characteristics of the mushroom. This is one of the representatives of the Champignon family.
What do chestnut lepiots look like?
Mushrooms look attractive in appearance, but you should not take them into the basket - they are dangerous for life.
Young umbrellas have an egg-shaped cap, on which scaly skin of yellow, brown, chestnut color is clearly visible. As it grows, this part of the fruiting body straightens out, but the dark place on the crown does not disappear. The skin gradually cracks, revealing a white layer underneath. The caps are small - no more than 2-4 cm in diameter.
The umbrella has plates under the chestnut cap. They are thin and often located.After lepiota appears from the ground, the plates are white, but then become yellowish or straw-colored. At the break, the flesh is white, in the area of the stem it is red or brown. It is fragile and has an unpleasant odor.
Ripe umbrellas have hollow cylindrical legs 5 cm high, diameter - about 0.5 cm. The color of the leg either matches the shade of the cap, or is slightly darker, especially at the expanded base.
Where do chestnut lepiots grow?
Judging by the name, one might assume that you need to look for lepiots under chestnut trees. This is an incorrect judgment. You can find the chestnut umbrella under deciduous trees, although it is also found in mixed forests. It can often be seen in gardens, ditches, and along roadsides.
Umbrellas grow in Russia almost everywhere except the Far North. The growth of fruiting bodies begins with the emergence of grass in early spring. Fruiting continues all summer, autumn, until frost.
She has a hat almost the same in shape, only its color can be grayish-brown, brown-cream with a tint of cherry. The edges of the cap are pubescent, dark scales are arranged in circles.
The flesh is white, cream-colored near the stem, and cherry-colored below. Young lepiots are red-brown and smell fruity, but as they mature they develop a stink.
Is it possible to eat chestnut lepiots?
Lepiota chestnut is a poisonous mushroom, so it is not eaten.It contains amatoxins that are hazardous to health.
Symptoms of poisoning
The first signs of mushroom poisoning by umbrellas are:
- nausea;
- vomit;
- diarrhea.
Symptoms begin to appear after two hours. We urgently need to call an ambulance.
First aid for poisoning
Until the doctors arrive, you should:
- put the victim to bed;
- give a large amount of water to drink in small sips;
- then induce vomiting.
Conclusion
Lepiota chestnut is a deadly poisonous mushroom, so it should be avoided. But this does not mean that they should be knocked down or trampled. There is nothing useless in nature.
