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The thick fly agaric belongs to the fly agaric family. This mushroom is found in summer and autumn. Although the variety is classified as conditionally edible, it is not recommended to eat it. Fruit bodies require lengthy processing, and their taste is mediocre. The most dangerous are his counterparts - other members of the family. They are poisonous to humans and cause poisoning.
Description of the thick fly agaric
According to the photo, the thick fly agaric is a lamellar mushroom. Its fruit can be divided into a stem and a cap.The variety is also known by other names - tall or stocky fly agaric.
Description of the cap
The upper part measures from 6 to 10 cm. In the largest specimens, the cap grows to a diameter of 15 cm. Its shape is hemispherical, and over time it becomes convex and flat. The edges are fibrous and smooth. The surface is slimy after rains. In clear weather it is silky, brown or gray in color. In the central part the color is darker.
Young representatives have a veil on their hats. As the fungus grows, it retains gray, scaly, flake-like residue. The plates are white, narrow, frequent, adherent to the stem. The spores are also white.
Description of the leg
The leg is light-colored, brownish or gray. At the top there is a fibrous ring. Height from 5 to 15 cm, thickness - up to 3 cm. The shape is cylindrical, there are cavities inside. The base of the leg is thickened, reminiscent of a club. The pulp is white, the taste and smell are weak, reminiscent of radish or anise.
Doubles and their differences
The thick fly agaric has doubles. These are mushrooms that have similar external characteristics. This mainly includes other species that belong to the Amanita family. Most of them are poisonous and are not eaten.
The main counterparts of the thick fly agaric:
- Royal fly agaric. A poisonous variety, it has a cap measuring from 5 to 25 cm. Its shape is spherical or prostrate, with numerous white flakes on the surface. The leg is up to 20 cm long and no more than 3.5 cm in diameter. The shape is cylindrical, widened near the base. It is quite difficult to distinguish it from the thick fly agaric: they have a similar color and body structure.
- Panther fly agaric. An inedible poisonous species growing in mixed and coniferous forests.The cap is up to 12 cm in size, bell-shaped or prostrate. The color is gray, brown, covered with white warts. The plates are white, narrow, and arranged freely. The leg is up to 13 cm long, its diameter reaches 1.5 cm. One of the most dangerous mushrooms, it causes poisoning when consumed. Almost indistinguishable from a thick fly agaric.
- Amanita toadstool. A mushroom with a cap up to 10 cm in size, flat-convex or depressed in shape. The color is white, yellowish-green, covered with white or gray flakes. The pulp is light, yellowish, with an unpleasant taste and odor. The leg is up to 10 cm long, up to 2 cm in diameter, hollow, white. It differs from conditionally edible species in being lighter in color. The mushroom is poisonous and is not used as food.
- Fly agaric gray-pink. The variety has a cap up to 20 cm in size, spherical or convex in shape. The skin is brown or pinkish. Leg up to 10 cm long, cylindrical. The species is distinguished by pinkish flesh, which becomes redder after cutting. It is considered conditionally edible and is used for food after heat treatment.
Where and how does the thick fly agaric grow?
The species is found in coniferous and deciduous forests. It forms mycosis with spruce, pine, and fir. Sometimes they grow next to beech and oak. On the territory of Russia they are found in the middle zone, in the Urals and Siberia.
For the growth of fruiting bodies, two conditions must be met: high humidity and warm weather. They are found in forest clearings, in ravines, near ponds, rivers, forest roads and paths. The fruiting period is summer and autumn.
Is the stocky fly agaric edible or not?
The thick fly agaric belongs to the group of conditionally edible ones. It combines mushrooms that can be eaten.The fruiting bodies are first cleaned of forest debris, soaked in water and boiled for an hour.
Symptoms of poisoning and first aid
Poisoning with thick fly agaric is possible if the rules for its preparation are not followed. Negative consequences appear with excessive consumption of pulp.
Poisoning is diagnosed based on a number of signs:
- stomach pain;
- nausea and vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- weakness throughout the body;
- increased sweating, fever.
In case of poisoning, the victim is given first aid. Be sure to call a doctor. Before his arrival, you need to induce vomiting to clear the stomach of eaten particles. Then take activated carbon and warm drinks. Treatment for poisoning takes place in the hospital department. The patient's stomach is washed and strengthening agents are given. Depending on the extent of the damage, the treatment period can be several weeks.
Interesting facts about the stocky fly agaric
Curious facts about fly agarics:
- Fly agaric is one of the most recognizable mushrooms. It is determined by the color of the cap and the white flakes located on it.
- Fly agaric mushrooms include the most poisonous mushrooms in the world - the white toadstool and the panther variety.
- These mushrooms got their name due to the fact that they were used to fight flies. The pulp contains substances that have a soporific effect on insects.The squeeze from the caps was poured into a container with water. The flies drank the liquid, fell asleep and drowned. However, the thick fly agaric does not have the same effect on insects.
- Species with a red cap were considered sacred by many peoples. With their help, the shamans of antiquity entered into a trance and communicated with spirits. Thick fly agaric does not contain hallucinogenic substances.
- Fatalities from consuming the stocky species are rare. This is due to their unusual appearance and the lack of edible counterparts. Lethal outcome is possible if 15 or more caps are consumed raw.
- Poisonous representatives of the Amanita family are eaten by moose, squirrels, and bears. For animals, this is an excellent remedy against parasites. They determine intuitively how many mushrooms they need to eat to avoid getting poisoned.
- In case of poisoning, the first symptoms appear after 15 minutes.
- In folk medicine, an infusion of these mushrooms is used for rubbing, treating joint diseases, disinfecting and healing wounds.
Conclusion
The thick fly agaric prefers damp areas in deciduous and mixed forests. The variety is considered conditionally edible. However, it is not recommended to collect it, especially for novice mushroom pickers. The fly agaric has poisonous counterparts that are deadly to humans.
