Content
Variegated moss mushroom, or in Latin Xerocomellus chrysenteron, is a mushroom of the Boletaceae family, genus Xerocomellus or Mokhovichok. Among mushroom pickers it is also known as fissured, yellow-fleshed and pasture boletus. Some scientists attribute it to the boletus genus.
What do variegated fly mushrooms look like?
The fruiting body consists of a cap and a stalk. The cap is small, fleshy, about 10 cm in diameter. Convex in shape. Its surface is dry to the touch, similar to felt. The color varies from light brown to dark brown. The edges of the cap are often framed by a narrow reddish border.As it grows, the skin cracks, revealing red flesh.
The tubular layer is colored depending on the age of the motley flywheel. In young specimens it is light yellow, in older specimens it is green. The tubes also change color from yellow or grayish to olive. Their stomata are wide and their spores are fusiform.
The leg is smooth, without thickening, cylindrical, tapering at the bottom. The length does not exceed 9-10 cm. Its color is light yellow or with a brown tint, closer to red at the base. When pressed, bluish spots appear on the leg.
The pulp is yellowish, turns blue when cut and pressed, and then turns red. At the base of the stem and under the cap, the flesh is colored red. The taste is delicate, slightly sweet, and the smell is similar to fruit.
Where do variegated fly mushrooms grow?
Variegated moss mushrooms grow in temperate climate zones in central Russia, Siberia and the Far East. You can meet them in deciduous forests. Sometimes they are found among conifers. They often settle near linden trees. They do not grow abundantly, singly or in small groups. They prefer loose soil, acidified and acidic soils.
Is it possible to eat variegated fly mushrooms?
The mottled flywheel is edible. In terms of nutritional value, it belongs to the fourth category. It is eaten and contains nutrients.
False doubles
Inexperienced mushroom pickers confuse the motley mushroom with the following species:
- Pepper mushroom. It is sometimes mistaken for moss mushrooms. To distinguish between these species, it is necessary to cut or break the fruiting body. The moss mushroom turns blue when scrapped, and the flesh of the pepper mushroom takes on a reddish tint. The tubular layer of the latter is painted in brick color.
- Chestnut mushroom, or gyroporus.This is not a poisonous species, but it is not eaten. Gyroporus tastes very bitter. Its similarity to the variegated flywheel lies in the appearance of characteristic cracks on the cap. But the chestnut mushroom has a hollow stem and does not turn blue when cut.
- Gall mushroom. To avoid confusion, an incision should be made. The flesh of the gall mushroom is pinkish when cut.
Collection rules
Collection time is from July to October. Young mushrooms are more suitable for consumption. Fruiting bodies are cleaned of soil and forest litter. Subsequently, they are washed, the damaged areas are cut off, and the layer of spores under the cap is cut off.
Use
You can prepare delicious dishes from the variegated flywheel. It is suitable for various types of culinary processing: boiling, frying, stewing, pickling. Fruiting bodies can also be dried for the winter.
Housewives do not always take up the task of preparing them for one reason: old mushrooms are often slimy. Therefore, for soups, salads, and main courses, it is recommended to take young specimens.
Conclusion
Variegated flywheel is a common edible mushroom that can be found in the temperate zone, in deciduous forests. In order not to confuse it with doubles, you should check the cut. In the moss fly it always turns blue.
