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Among all the mushrooms, the snow-white dung beetle has a very unusual appearance and color. Almost every mushroom picker has seen it. And, undoubtedly, he wondered whether it could be eaten. The snow-white dung beetle (lat. Coprinopsisnivea), which cannot but be confused with the white dung beetle (lat. Coprinuscomatus), is inedible. It is prohibited to eat it as the fruit body contains toxic substances.
Where does the snow-white dung beetle grow?
It prefers well-moistened areas with loose soil rich in organic matter. Grows on or near horse manure. It can be found in meadows and pastures, in old greenhouses, basements, overgrown flower beds and lawns. It even grows near high-rise buildings and stadiums. The main condition is that there is sunlight interspersed with shade, and enough moisture.
It is widespread throughout the Eurasian continent, and can also be found in North America, Africa and Australia.
By its nature, the snow-white dung beetle is a saprophyte. Favorite food sources are substances contained in rotten wood, humus and other waste. It can often be seen near manure heaps and compost pits. It is for this feature that the mushroom received such an unusual name.
What does the snow-white dung beetle look like?
The cap resembles a spindle in shape and is covered with thin scales. Visually they look like thick fringe. The average size of the cap is 3-5cm. In a mature specimen, it eventually becomes bell-like. Its color is white with a powdery coating.
When the snow-white dung beetle ages, special substances begin to be actively produced that make the cap darker. This happens gradually. First, the edges change color, and then the entire cap slowly takes on an inky hue. The pulp remains white. It does not have a specific smell. The plates also change color over time: from a pale pink tint to almost black. The leg has a cylindrical shape, 5-8 cm long and 1-3 mm in diameter, white, with a powdery coating, swollen at the base. It is hollow inside and velvety to the touch outside.
The period of appearance of these mushrooms is quite long - from May to October. There are especially many of them after rain and they grow in groups.
Is it possible to eat snow-white dung beetle?
The snow-white dung beetle belongs to the group of inedible mushrooms. And although it attracts with its appearance, it is better to avoid it.And all this is due to the presence of tetramethylthiuram disulfide in the composition. This highly toxic substance can lead to negative consequences. Also, according to studies, it has been proven that the snow-white species is a hallucinogen.
In case of poisoning, the following symptoms may occur:
- dizziness;
- nausea;
- strong thirst;
- diarrhea;
- abdominal pain.
These are the first signs in which you should immediately consult a doctor.
Similar species
The snow-white dung beetle has no doubles. However, there are similar species with which it can be confused due to inexperience.
The following mushrooms resemble the snow-white appearance:
- Dung beetle shimmering. It has an ovoid cap, dotted with thin grooves. It is covered with beige-brown scales. The size of the cap is from 1 to 4 cm. This variety can be found near dried out rotten stumps. It is classified as a conditionally edible mushroom of the 4th category. Only young specimens can be eaten. When they begin to darken even a little, they become poisonous to the body.
- Willow dung beetle. The color is gray, only on the tops there are small brownish spots. The cap has pronounced grooves. Its size is from 3 to 7 cm. The edges are jagged, the old ones are split. Young specimens are covered with a white coating. The plates are fragile. The young ones are white, the old ones are dark. The leg can reach 10 cm, at the base it is widened and smooth to the touch. This species is inedible.
- Resinous dung beetle. It is distinguished by an egg-shaped cap, which later takes on the appearance of a summer panama hat. Its diameter in an adult specimen can reach 10 cm. In a young mushroom it is covered with a white blanket; as it grows, it breaks into separate scales. The surface itself is dark, almost black.The leg is light in color and covered with a specific coating. Its shape is cylindrical, the top is narrower than the bottom. Hollow in the middle. The height of the stem can reach 20 cm. The mushroom emits a sharp, unpleasant odor. Cannot be eaten.
- Dung beetle folded. The surface of the cap is gathered into small folds (like a pleated skirt). Its surface is light brown in young specimens, and grayish-brown in old ones. This variety has a very thin cap. Over time, it opens up and becomes like an umbrella. The height of the leg can reach 8 cm, while its diameter does not exceed 2 mm. This species is inedible and “lives” only for a day.
- The dung beetle is gray. The cap is fibrous, the scales have a grayish tint. They quickly darken and blur. In young specimens the cap is ovoid, in older specimens it is broadly bell-shaped with cracked edges. The plates are wide and white; as the mushroom matures, they change color from white to black. The leg is hollow, white, brown at the base, and can reach a height of 20 cm. This species is conditionally edible.
Conclusion
The snow-white dung beetle has an unusual appearance and a strange name. Despite its original appearance, it is not suitable for food. Consumption of this mushroom is fraught with negative consequences, so when hunting quietly you should avoid it. But everything in nature is interconnected, so this species is also an important link in the ecosystem.
