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A fungus from the genus Basiomycetes, melanoleuca straight-footed, or melanoleuca, belongs to the genus of the same name, family Oryadovaceae. The Latin name of the species is Melanoleuca strictipes. Young mushrooms are often confused with champignons, but they have several differences.
What do straight-legged melanoleucans look like?
The cap is flat, in young specimens it is slightly convex, with a small tubercle in the center. Its diameter does not exceed 10 cm. The color of the melanoleuca straight-legged cap is white, with a slight gray tint, and there is a dark spot in the central part. The surface is velvety, dry, smooth.
The lower part of the cap is lamellar. Frequent, pale pink plates grow to the stem.
The thin, long leg of the straight-legged melanoleum is located clearly in the center, slightly widened towards the bottom. Its diameter does not exceed 2 cm, length – 10 cm. The color is white or pale gray.
The pulp of the straight-legged melanoleum is white, dense, with a characteristic, subtle floury odor.
The spores are thin-walled, colorless, odorless, oblong in shape.There are small warts on their surface. The spore powder of Melanoleuca erecta is pale yellow or cream.
Where do melanoleucas erectopods grow?
Most often they can be found in mountainous areas, less often at the foot of the mountains in deciduous forests and meadows. They prefer soil rich in humus or decaying wood and are saprotrophs.
Melanoleuca erecta bears fruit profusely from June to October. This species is found on all continents.
Is it possible to eat Melanoleuca straightipods?
This is an edible mushroom that can be eaten without fear. Before serving, heat treatment of melanoleuca straight leg is required.
False doubles
Inexperienced mushroom pickers often confuse melanoleuca erecta with champignons. It is important to remember that the first mushroom is almost never found in the forest; its habitat is mountainous terrain. While champignon is a resident of coniferous, deciduous and mixed forests on the plain.
The champignon has whitish rings near the cap and a thick stem. Its plates are gray-pink, while those of older mushrooms are black. Melanoleuca erecta has white plates.
Also, the melanoleuca straight-legged is similar to some representatives of the genus Oryadovaceae, for example, with the melanoleuca striped or short-legged. The latter mushrooms are darker in color, the surface of their caps is smooth and glossy.
The pallid grebe is a poisonous, deadly counterpart to Melanoleuca straight-legged. The main difference between the inedible species is the presence of a dense egg-shaped sac at the base of the leg.
The toadstool's cap is not pure white, but has a yellowish or greenish tint. At first it is bell-shaped, later it becomes prostrate.In the upper part of the thick stem, almost under the cap, there is a film ring.
Collection rules
It is better to pick mushrooms in damp weather, after heavy rain. Melanoleuca erecta can be found in mountainous areas or pastures, in the soil or on tree debris.
Melanoleuca erecta grows in large families: if one mushroom is visible, it means there are others nearby.
The mushroom stem of melanoleuca straightigus can be twisted or cut off; this does not affect the fruiting of the mycelium.
For fragile upright fruiting bodies, wicker willow baskets are suitable, in which the pulp does not crumble and the aroma and freshness are preserved.
It is not recommended to cut off old, rotten, darkened specimens of Melanoleuca erecta. It is better to eat small, white, dense mushrooms.
Melanoleuca erecta is placed in the basket only if there is complete confidence in its edibility. If there is the slightest doubt, it is better to refuse an incomprehensible specimen.
Use
After collection, melanoleuca straight leg should not be stored for more than 3 hours. Upon arrival home, they immediately begin processing it. After cleaning, the fruits are poured with cold, slightly salted water and allowed to sit for half an hour. This manipulation will allow you to better clean the melanoleuca erecta and remove the worms out if a specimen eaten by them gets into the basket.
Melanoleuca straightipod is prepared by heat treatment. Peeled and washed mushrooms are boiled in clean water for 15-20 minutes, the first broth is drained. Then the fruit body is boiled again, fried or stewed.
You can harvest melanoleuca erecta for the winter. It is pickled and rolled into jars with vinegar. You can also simply dry it and then add it to soups or stir-fries.
Meloanoleuca erecta is suitable for preparing any mushroom dishes: casseroles, sauces, goulash, filling for pies, cutlets, zraz and dumplings. Goes well with sour cream sauce. In dried, crushed form, the fruiting body of the straight leg is used as a mushroom seasoning.
Conclusion
Meloanoleuca erectopods is an inhabitant of any part of the globe. The mushroom prefers mountainous areas and loose, fertile soil. It is practically not found in the forest on the plain. It is an edible species and is absolutely safe for humans. Suitable for preparing any mushroom dishes. It is important to carefully read the description of the twins of the melanolous erectus, so that you do not end up with a poisonous twin in the basket.
