Content
It’s not for nothing that Mitsena Shishkolubivaya received such an interesting name. The fact is that this specimen grows exclusively on spruce cones. It is also called Mycena sulfur because of its characteristic mouse-like color. It is considered one of the first spring mushrooms, since it begins its development in March. Represents the Mycenaceae family, genus Mycena.
What do cone-loving mycenae look like?
At the initial stage of development, this species has a hemispherical cap, a little later it becomes almost prostrate with a clear tubercle in the center. It is quite small in size, since its diameter is no more than 3 cm. The skin of the cap is smooth, shiny in dry weather, and slimy during the rainy season.It has a brown-brown color, which fades to a gray or light brown shade as the mushroom matures. The plates are not frequent, wide, attached to the teeth. When young they are white, then acquire a gray-brown color.
Mycena cone-loving has a thin, hollow, cylindrical stalk. It is characterized as silky and shiny, dark gray or brown in color. The width of the leg in diameter is about 2 mm, and the length varies from 2 to 4 cm, but the largest part of it is hidden in the soil. At the base there may be growths of mycelium that look like small cobwebs.
The pulp of this species is brittle and thin; the plates are visible along the edges. As a rule, it has a grayish color and emits an unpleasant alkaline odor. The spores are amyloid, white, like spore powder.
Where do cone-loving mycenae grow?
This variety actively begins its development from March to May, therefore it is one of the first spring cap mushrooms. It grows exclusively on fir cones. Preference is given to coniferous litter. It is a fairly common species, but it is not always noticeable to the human eye, because it likes to hide in the ground. In this case, the cone-loving mycena looks squat.
Is it possible to eat cone-loving mycenae?
There is no information on the edibility of this mushroom. There is an assumption that the cone-loving mycena is an inedible specimen due to its inherent chemical odor of alkali.
In cooking, this species is not of interest both because of the unpleasant aroma and the small size of the fruiting bodies.The facts of using mycena cone-loving are not registered, and there are no recipes for preparing this ingredient.
How to distinguish
It is worth noting that many small mushrooms are similar to Mycena cone-loving, which, as a rule, are also inedible. So, a striking example is alkaline mycena. It has a strong and unpleasant odor, reminiscent of ammonia. However, it is quite simple to distinguish the species in question from its counterpart, since only Mycena cone-loving is found on spruce cones.
Conclusion
Mycena cone-loving is a small brown mushroom that grows directly on spruce cones, which can be completely submerged underground or protrude above the surface. In general, this specimen does not carry any nutritional value and is therefore not of interest. Despite the fact that this species is quite common and is often found in various regions, in Moscow, mycena cone-loving is endangered. That is why in the capital this mushroom is listed in the Red Book, and measures have been taken to preserve the species.
