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Mycena blood-footed has a second name - mycena red-footed, and is very similar in appearance to a simple toadstool. However, the first option is not considered poisonous; moreover, one of the main differences of this specimen is the release of red-brown juice when broken.
What do mycenae bloodpods look like?
Mycena bloodpod is a small mushroom with the following characteristics:
- hat. The size in diameter ranges from 1 to 4 cm. The shape of a young specimen is in the form of a bell; with age it becomes almost prostrate, only a small tubercle remains in the middle. When young, the skin of the cap is characterized as dry and dusty with a fine powder, and in older ones it is bald and sticky.The edges are slightly jagged and the texture may be grooved or lined. The color is gray-brown or dark brown with a reddish tint in the center, light at the edges. As a rule, adult specimens fade and acquire a gray-pinkish or white tint.
- Records. On the inside of the cap there are wide, but sparse and narrowly adherent plates. When ripe, their color changes from white to pink, gray, pinkish-gray, purple or reddish brown. As a rule, the edges of the plates are painted the same color as the edges of the cap.
- Leg. Mycena blood-footed has a thin stalk, 4 to 8 cm long and about 2-4 mm thick. The inside is hollow and the outside is smooth or may be covered with small pale red hairs. Depending on ripeness, the color of the leg can be grayish, brownish-red or purple. When pressed or broken, red-brown juice is released.
- Pulp Quite brittle, when damaged it releases colored juice. Its color may be pale or similar to the shade of the cap.
- White spore powder. The spores are amyloid, ellipsoidal, 7.5 – 9.0 x 4.0 – 5.5 µm.
Where do mycenae blood-footed grow?
The optimal time for the growth of Mycena bloodopod is the period from July to August. In countries with warm climates they can be found in winter. They are widespread in North America, Central Asia, Eastern and Western Europe. In addition, they are found in the European part of Russia and the Primorsky Territory.They grow on old stumps, logs without bark, rotting deciduous trees, and in rare cases on conifers.
Is it possible to eat Mycena bloodstadius?
They are not eaten.
The edibility of Mycena bloodpoda is considered a rather controversial issue, since opinions in different sources vary greatly. Thus, some publications classify this specimen as a conditionally edible mushroom, while others classify it as inedible. A number of reference books indicate that mycena bloodpod is tasteless or has a barely noticeable bitter taste.
But almost all sources claim that this mushroom has no nutritional value. Despite the fact that this specimen is not poisonous, most experts do not recommend it for consumption.
Similar species
Related species of Mycena bloodopod include the following:
- Mycena bloody – has a cap size from 0.5 – 2 cm in diameter. It produces a watery red juice, but in less quantity than the blood-footed one. As a rule, it grows in coniferous forests. Due to its small size, it has no nutritional value, which is why it is classified as inedible.
- Mycena rosea – the shape of the cap is similar to the cap of Mycena bloodopod. The color of the fruiting body is pink and does not produce juice. Edibility data is conflicting.
- Mycena bell-shaped - refers to inedible mushrooms. The diameter of the cap varies from 1 to 6 cm, the length of the stem can reach 8 cm, and its diameter is 7 mm. As a rule, the cap is wrinkled and light brown in color; after a rainfall it becomes slimy.The plates are hard, branched, white or gray in color, becoming pink with age.
Conclusion
Mycena bloodopod is one of the few species that produces juice. It should be noted that the secreted liquid contains natural antibiotics that help repel and destroy various harmful parasites. The stem contains much more “bloody” juice than the cap. That is why this mushroom received its corresponding name.
