Content
The dung beetle Romagnesi is a representative of the kingdom of mushrooms, which is not distinguished by its bright external features and high taste. It is rare in moist, cool climates. Its young fruiting bodies are used for food, which turn into mucus as they ripen.
Where does the Romanesi dung beetle grow?
Dung beetle romanesi is a conditionally edible mushroom. Its international name is Coprinopsis romagnesiana. It belongs to the genus Coprinopsis of the Psatyrellaceae family.
These mushrooms grow in small families on old rotting wood and dead roots, on soils well fertilized with animal excrement and organic matter.They are found in forests, city parks and in garden plots located in cool climates. They produce crops in two waves: April-May and October-November. There is an assumption that their fruiting bodies appear in the summer in cool climates. In nature, they perform an important ecological function, participating in the decomposition of organic remains.
What does the Romanesi dung beetle look like?
This type of mushroom is subject to autolysis. Their tissues disintegrate and dissolve under the influence of enzymes present in the cells. The fruiting body gradually turns into an ink-colored slimy mass.
Most of the time, before the decomposition of the plates and pulp begins, the cap of the Dung beetle Romagnesi has a regular ovoid shape without a tubercle in the center. Its diameter at this stage is 3 - 5 cm. Gradually it opens, increases in size and takes on the appearance of an umbrella or bell. Its flesh is light and thin.
The surface color of the cap is light gray. It is densely covered with brown scales, the color of which is sometimes described as orange. In a young mushroom they are concentrated in the central part of the cap, while in a mature one they diverge to the edges, causing its shade to become lighter. The scales are easily washed off by rain.
The plates of Dung beetle romagnesi are wide and often spaced, loosely connected to the stalk. At the beginning of fruiting, their color is white, then they darken and turn into an inky jelly-like liquid. Spore powder is black.
The stem of the mushroom is thin and tall, located centrally relative to the cap, slightly widening downward.Its diameter is 0.5 - 1.5 cm, length 5 - 12 cm (according to some sources 6 - 10 cm). It is smooth, white or grayish-white, hollow inside. The flesh of the leg is fragile and fibrous. There is a thin ring on it, which is quickly blown away by the wind.
Is it possible to eat dung beetle Romagnesi?
Dung beetle Romagnesi is one of the few representatives of the Coprinopsis genus that belongs to the conditionally edible category. Only unripe fruiting bodies are eaten until they begin to darken. It is prohibited to eat specimens with blackened plates.
Similar species
Romagnesi dung beetles are similar to most gray Coprinopsis. They are most similar to the following dung beetles:
- Grey (Coprinus atramentarius). This is a conditionally edible mushroom; there are almost no scales on its cap. Some mycologists call Romagnesi a smaller copy of it.
- Pointed (Coprinopsis acuminata). It is distinguished by a clearly visible tubercle on the cap.
- Shimmering (Coprinus micaceus). Classified as conditionally edible. Romagnesi can be distinguished from it by its rounder cap and dark brown scales on it.
Collection and use
To ensure safety, when collecting and consuming Dung beetle Romagnesi, adhere to the following rules:
- Mushrooms are collected only in environmentally friendly places away from roads and industrial enterprises.
- Young fruiting bodies are cut off. Adult specimens are not suitable for food.
- The soil should not be intensively turned up - this disrupts the mycelium.
- A representative of this species cannot be stored. Its caps quickly darken and acquire a slimy texture.It must be prepared immediately after collection.
- Before cooking, wash the mushrooms well and boil in boiling water for 15-20 minutes. The broth is dangerous to use.
- Caps are mainly used in cooking.
After boiling, the Romanesi dung beetle is fried with onions and stewed with the addition of sour cream or soy sauce. It is not salted, pickled, dried or preserved. There is no information on its suitability for frozen storage.
Unlike the closest similar species of dung beetle, there is no information about the incompatibility of Romagnesi with alcohol. But to avoid intoxication, it is not recommended to use it together with alcoholic beverages.
Conclusion
Mushrooms of the species Dung beetle Romagnesi are little known and poorly studied. They are not specially grown because they ripen very quickly. Due to rapid self-destruction, fruiting bodies cannot be stored and transported for a long time. They are eaten only at a young age, while the plates are white and without traces of darkening. Experienced mycologists advise against using them.