Content
The porphyritic fly agaric is one of the representatives of the Amanitaceae family. It belongs to the poisonous fruiting bodies and can cause hallucinogenic effects, due to the fact that the mushroom contains substances such as tryptamines (5-methoxydimethyltryptamine, bufotenine, dimethyltryptamine).
Description of the porphyritic fly agaric
The porphyry fly agaric (gray or Amanita porphyria) cannot be called very popular, especially when compared with the more famous representatives of this family (panther and red). Although mushrooms have common features that are inherent in most fly agarics. The main distinguishing feature of the porphyry representative is the coloring of the cap. The upper part of the fruiting body may have a purple or violet-brown tint. Color depends on several factors - age, place of growth and soil composition.
Description of the cap
The porphyry fly agaric has an ovoid-bell-shaped apex. As the mushroom grows, it becomes flat, and the bulge on it is invisible. The diameter of the cap can vary from 5 to 11 cm.
The color is most often gray-brown with violet-gray, but sometimes there is also a purple tint. On a damp surface, white or purple warts are visible, which look more like sparse filmy flakes. There is a faint striped pattern along the edge of the cap.
The plates under the upper part of the fruiting body are located close to each other and in large numbers, thin and soft to the touch. They rarely grow to the stem, the color is white, which as the fly agaric matures takes on a beige tint.
The flesh of the porphyry mushroom is white and thin. It not only has an unpleasant taste, but also a strong pungent odor that resembles the aroma of potatoes or musty radishes.
Description of the leg
In a fly agaric, it can reach a diameter of 2 cm and a height of 13 cm. The shape of the lower part of the fruiting body is similar to a cylinder with a thickened area near the base. The color of the stem varies from pure white to slightly gray.
Doubles and their differences
The porphyry fly agaric does not have twins.Therefore, it is extremely problematic to confuse it with other species. Beginning lovers of quiet hunting may confuse this fly agaric with a gray-pink one. It does not have such a sharp and unpleasant aroma, and the color of the cap is pronounced gray-pink. The mushroom is classified as a conditionally edible species, so it cannot cause much harm to human health.
The porphyry fly agaric can be confused by smell with its toadstool brother, but the latter has a completely different color palette.
Where and how does the porphyry fly agaric grow?
The porphyry fly agaric prefers coniferous forests, in which it can form mycorrhiza together with spruce and pine trees. The mushroom is sometimes found in birch groves.
Fruiting bodies rarely grow in groups of 2-3; most often they can be seen singly.
Fruiting begins in July, and the last harvest is observed at the end of October. Geographically, mushrooms are found in all forests of Russia, where there are coniferous plantations and birch trees grow. The most abundant growth occurs in Scandinavia and Central Asia. They are also found in some European countries. It is worth noting that only poor acidic soil is suitable for the porphyritic fly agaric. You can often observe fruiting bodies at an altitude of 1600 m above the horizon, in mountainous areas.
Edible porphyry fly agaric or poisonous
Eating porphyry fly agaric is prohibited, since the mushroom is not only inedible, but also poisonous.It contains dangerous toxins, which are also found in the panther fly agaric. When the fruiting body is consumed raw, even in small quantities, tropane or mycoatropine syndromes develop. The poison does not disappear even after heat treatment, since it cannot be destroyed by exposure to high temperatures.
In addition to the dangerous toxin, the porphyry fly agaric contains 5-MeO-DMT, bufotenine and DMT. Despite the fact that these components have insignificant concentrations, their entry into the body negatively affects a person’s well-being.
Symptoms of poisoning and first aid
Mushroom poisoning can occur for a number of different reasons, including not only the intentional consumption of fly agaric, but also its accidental ingestion into the stomach. In any case, it is important to know not only about the symptoms of intoxication of the body, but also how to help yourself and a loved one before the ambulance arrives.
The main and very first symptoms that you should pay attention to:
- feeling of constant nausea;
- profuse vomiting that does not stop after taking absorbents;
- increase in body temperature to 38-40 ° C;
- stomach ache;
- frequent diarrhea - at least 10 times a day;
- numbness of the extremities (arms and legs begin to get cold);
- the pulse becomes unclear and weak;
- inflammation of the small intestine and stomach develops.
If the amount of fly agaric eaten was significant, then additional, more pronounced symptoms may develop, which require immediate hospitalization of the victim:
- the appearance of hallucinations;
- a state that borders on insanity;
- the patient begins to delirium, consciousness becomes confused, speech becomes unintelligible.
When the first signs of poisoning appear, you must call an ambulance, since toxins quickly spread along with the blood, reaching all vital organs and disrupting their functioning. If medical assistance is not provided in the first 24 hours, death may occur.
Before the ambulance arrives, it is necessary to provide the person with emergency assistance, which consists of the following:
- The victim should drink a lot and often to avoid dehydration. It is recommended to drink cold mineral water, cooled strong tea, plain water with added salt and sugar.
- Bed rest. The victim should not move and lead an active lifestyle so that the body does not waste energy and strength. Also, if poisoned, a person may faint and suffer significant damage and injury.
- Gastric lavage. If there is no vomiting, then experts recommend inducing it yourself. To do this you need to drink warm water.
- Reception of absorbents. When the stomach is cleansed, you can give the patient activated charcoal and similar products.
Emergency doctors most often hospitalize the victim, since to cleanse the body of toxins it is necessary to administer IVs with saline solutions and vitamins. Recovery, if the therapy is not only correct, but also timely, occurs within a day.
Interesting facts about porphyry fly agarics
Porphyry fly agaric mushrooms have features that are common to many members of the family, but not every mushroom picker knows about them:
- Fruiting bodies contain acid, which can not only negatively affect human health, but also lead to the death of brain cells.
- Despite the fact that the mushroom is poisonous, few fatal cases of poisoning have been recorded. Since the fly agaric does not in any way resemble an edible species, it is simply impossible to confuse it with honey mushroom or milk mushroom. In addition, immediate death can occur only if a large quantity is consumed, at least 15 caps.
- In ancient times, fly agarics acted as the only intoxicating substance. The peoples of Siberia used it for ritual ceremonies, since the mushrooms had a hallucinogenic effect, which made it possible to communicate with otherworldly forces and spirits.
- Some animals also eat fly agarics, such as deer, squirrels, bears and moose. For them, this product is medicinal.
- Among the Mari and the inhabitants of Mordovians, fly agarics were held in special esteem, since they were considered the food of spirits and gods.
- Some representatives and adherents of traditional medicine claim that the poisonous product can be used as a cure for joint diseases, oncology, colds and hypertension. Since there is no scientific evidence to support this fact, it is not recommended to engage in such self-medication. This can be life-threatening.
- In France, porphyry fly agaric is used as a cure for insomnia, using an extract from the fruiting bodies for this purpose.
Conclusion
Porphyry fly agaric is a poisonous mushroom that is difficult to confuse with any edible species. Therefore, cases of poisoning with it are extremely rare.
