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Entoloma greyish (leptonia greyish) is a representative of the genus Entolova, subgenus Leptonia. The mushroom is quite unique, so lovers of “quiet hunting” will be greatly helped by its description and photo.
Description of gray-haired Leptonia
Scientific literature records two Latin names – Entoloma incanum and Leptonia euchlora. To search for data about the mushroom, you can use any of them.
Description of the cap
The cap changes shape as the fruiting body develops. At first it is convex, then it levels out and becomes flat.
Then it looks slightly dented in the middle. The diameter of the cap is small - from 1 cm to 4 cm.
Sometimes the center is covered with scales. The color of the cap varies in olive tones from light to rich, and can be golden or dark brown. The color of the center of the circle is darker.
The plates are not frequent, wide. Slightly arched. The pulp has a mousey smell, which can be considered a characteristic feature of the fungus.
Description of the leg
This part of the mushroom is slightly pubescent, has a cylindrical shape with thickening towards the base.
The height of a mature leg is 2-6 cm, diameter is 0.2-0.4 cm. It is hollow inside and colored yellowish-green. The base of the entoloma stalk is almost white; in mature mushrooms it acquires a blue tint. Leg without ring.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Leptonia hoary is classified as a poisonous mushroom. When consumed, a person develops signs of severe poisoning. The mushroom is considered a life-threatening species.
Where and how common is Leptonia hoary?
Belongs to rare varieties of the family. Prefers sandy soils, mixed or deciduous forests. Likes to grow on the edges, roadsides or meadows. In Europe, America and Asia the species is quite common. On the territory of the Leningrad region it is included in the list of mushrooms of the Red Book. Grows in small groups and also singly.
Fruiting occurs at the end of August and the first ten days of September.
Doubles and their differences
Leptonia hoary (Entoloma hoary) can be mistaken for some types of entoloma with a yellow-brown color. Among them there are edible and poisonous representatives:
- Entoloma depressed (squashed) or Entoloma rhodopolium. In dry weather, the cap has a gray or olive-brown color, which can be misleading. It bears fruit at the same time as the gray entoloma - August, September. The main difference is the strong smell of ammonia.It is considered an inedible species; in some sources it is classified as poisonous.
- Entoloma brightly colored (Entoloma euchroum). Also an inedible species with a characteristic purple cap and blue plates. Its shape changes with age from convex to concave. Fruiting lasts from late September to mid-October. The smell of the pulp is very unpleasant, the consistency is fragile.
Conclusion
Entoloma hoary (Leptonia hoary) is a rather rare species. Its toxic properties pose a danger to human health. Knowing the signs and time of fruiting will protect against possible fruiting bodies getting into the mushroom picker’s basket.
