Content
According to the new classification, Moravian moss mushroom is included in the Boletaceae family. Therefore, the name Bolet Moravian also stuck. Scientific terms for the species: Xerocomus moravicus and Boletus moravicus, or Aureoboletus moravicus. It is rare and is considered a reserve and cannot be collected.
What do Moravian moss mushrooms look like?
Experienced mushroom pickers can simultaneously recognize the characteristics of mushrooms from the Boletaceae family and different moss mushrooms. The specimen is quite large.
Distinctive characteristics:
- cap from 4 to 8-10 cm wide;
- at a young age the cap is hemispherical, then becomes slightly convex or completely prostrate;
- the skin of the top of old mushrooms is cracked;
- the skin tone is warm, orange-brown, fades and brightens over time;
- the lower plane of the cap is tubular, yellow when it appears, and becomes greenish with age;
- leg 5-10 cm high, width 1.5-2.5 cm;
- differs from the cap in a lighter, creamy-brown shade;
- cylindrical in shape, with expressive veins on the surface.
When cut, the flesh of the Moravian mushroom is white.
Where do Moravian moss mushrooms grow?
The rare species grows in Europe, including the southern regions of Russia. In many regions, Moravian bolete is protected by law. The first mushrooms appear in August, they are found until the beginning of October. The habitats of protected specimens are deciduous forests. The species forms mycorrhizae with oak trees and can most often be found in old oak forests. Moss mushrooms are also found in plantings, near ponds, and in damp areas.
Is it possible to eat Moravian mushrooms?
The species is edible. It is believed that the reserved, very tasty mushroom is sick. But few are lucky enough to try it. Because it is classified as endangered, it is very rare to spot it.
False doubles
There are no poisonous species similar to Moravian boletus. It is very similar to the reserved so-called Polish or Pan mushroom, whose scientific name is Xerocomus badius. This species is edible. In the Russian scientific literature on mycology, it is known as the chestnut flywheel due to the red-brown color of the cap. It is distributed in those very territories of the temperate climate zone, in mixed forests of Europe, and also less often in Asia. The chestnut moss especially loves light pine-spruce forests, spruce woodlands with birch - in Russia.In regions with milder weather conditions, it is found under European chestnuts, beeches and oaks, as well as in areas with coniferous trees.
The size of the cap of the Polish mushroom is up to 12 cm. The young upper parts are hemispherical, then become increasingly flat. Smooth skin of dark brown color with chestnut shades. Club-shaped leg 4-12 cm high, creamy brown. Externally, the Polish leg differs from the reserve bolet in the smaller number of veins. When cut, the flesh turns blue, then turns brown. Darkening often scares off mushroom pickers, and they throw away such specimens in vain.
Collection rules
Moravian moss mushroom is found quite rarely. They grow alone or in a small family. Since the species is protected by law as a reserve, specimens encountered are not cut off. You can use chestnut or Polish mushrooms instead, which have excellent taste. The time for the appearance of edible counterparts of the Moravian boletus is more extended: the first specimens of them begin to be collected at the end of June. Mushrooms also grow in late autumn, before frost.
Use
Reserve bolet has excellent taste properties and is suitable for any use. But since the mushrooms are rare, it is better to collect a full basket of more accessible chestnut moss mushrooms. Polish is highly valued by lovers and is considered a representative of the second category in terms of nutritional and taste properties, even slightly similar to white.
Conclusion
Moravian moss mushroom is a real legend for mushroom pickers. The rare and valuable mushroom cannot be collected in a number of countries. It is necessary to protect the species in Russian forests, especially in nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.
