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The semi-golden flywheel is a mushroom of the Boletaceae family. It is rarely found in nature, so only an experienced mushroom picker can find it. Sometimes this species is confused with boletus or boletus, which have some similarities.
What do semi-golden moss mushrooms look like?
Young specimens are distinguished by a hemispherical cap, which becomes flat with age. The diameter is small and rarely exceeds 7 cm; usually the figure is within 5 cm.
Under the cap is a tubular layer that is slightly darker than the outside of the cap. The leg is low, the length varies between 3-5 cm. Cylindrical in shape, dense, straight.
The leg is colored the same as the cap, but may be reddish.Most often, the semi-golden moss has a yellow, orange or light brown color.
Where do semi-golden moss mushrooms grow?
In Russia they are found in the Caucasus and Far East regions. They prefer a temperate climate and grow in coniferous, deciduous and mixed forests. Often mushrooms hide among the moss in small groups. Hence the name - flywheel.
Is it possible to eat semi-golden mushrooms?
They are classified as conditionally edible.
The preparation process is very complex; moss mushrooms do not have a special taste, so they are rarely eaten.
False doubles
It has no poisonous counterparts, but can be confused with inedible or unpleasant-tasting specimens.
Semi-golden can be mistaken for powdered moss. Both species have a similar color, but the double has a more golden leg and a darker cap. Not every experienced mushroom picker will be able to distinguish these two specimens from each other.
The semi-golden flywheel has a thin stem and no thickenings. The color is uniform and covers the entire fruiting body. Other moss flyers do not have such monotony.
The species may be confused with a gall fungus. It is distinguished by its large size, light cap and thick stem. The body is covered with a brown network of cracks. Sometimes the cap is light brown, so it is easy to confuse it with the semi-golden flywheel.
Collection rules
The species begins to grow actively from the end of July until September. Can be found in large quantities in mid-August.
You need to look for mushrooms in dry pine places next to moss. Thanks to the dark-colored cap, representatives of the mushroom kingdom are easy to spot. The species is classified as one that oxidizes quickly, so preparation should begin as soon as possible after collection.
Use
Before cooking, each mushroom is thoroughly washed, removing leaves, dirt and other debris. After that, the collected specimens need to be cut into pieces and boiled in plenty of water.
During the cooking process, the water is changed every half hour. In total, processing will take 3-4 hours. This is necessary in order to make the pulp edible. After cooking, the mushrooms can be cooked.
This type is best used for salads, side dishes and other dishes. They cannot be pickled or salted. Drying is also not recommended, as the pulp darkens unsightly.
The boiled product must be washed again in clean water. It can be added to stewed vegetables or meat.
Conclusion
The semi-golden moss has an unusual, bright color. The dark cap with a colorful yellowish stem stands out against the background of moss and foliage. Despite their attractive appearance, these mushrooms do not have any special taste. Due to oxidation, the fruits change color, so the processing process should occur as quickly as possible.
