Content
Tiger sawfoil is a conditionally edible representative of the Polyporaceae family. This species is considered wood-destroying and forms white rot on trunks. Grows on rotten and fallen deciduous wood, bears fruit in May and November. Since the species has inedible relatives, you need to familiarize yourself with the external description, view photos and videos before collecting.
Description of tiger sawfoil
Tiger sawleaf is a saprophyte that decomposes dead wood. It belongs to the conditionally edible representatives of the mushroom kingdom, but it is important not to make mistakes during mushroom hunting due to the presence of similar species.
Description of the cap
The cap of the tiger sawfoil is convex; as it grows, it takes on the shape of a funnel, and the edges turn inward. The dry surface, up to 10 cm in diameter, is covered with dirty whitish skin with dark brown scales. The spore layer is formed by thin narrow plates that have a dense film. Their edges are jagged and their color varies from cream to coffee. The pulp is dense and soft, and when mechanically damaged it acquires a reddish tint. As the film grows, it breaks through and descends in a ring onto the stem.
Description of the leg
The straight or slightly curved leg grows up to 8 cm. The surface is white, covered with numerous dark scales. The pulp is dense, fibrous, with a pronounced mushroom taste and aroma.
Where and how does it grow
Tiger sawleaf is considered a forest health worker, as it settles on dry, rotting wood. As a result, the tree decomposes and turns into humus, thereby enriching the soil with useful microelements. It bears fruit twice a season: the first wave appears in May, the second at the end of October. Tiger sawfolium is distributed throughout Russia; it can be found in large families in parks, squares, along roads, where deciduous trees have been cut down.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
This representative of the mushroom kingdom is considered conditionally edible, but since tiger polyfolia is little known, it has few fans. Only the caps of young specimens are used for food, since old mushrooms have a hard fruiting body that is unsuitable for consumption. After a long boil, the harvested crop can be fried, stewed or stored for the winter.
When going to the forest, you need to know the collection rules:
- mushroom hunting can be carried out far from roads;
- collect on a clear day and in the morning;
- the cut is made with a sharp knife;
- if the mushroom twists out, it is necessary to sprinkle the growth area with soil, deciduous or woody substrate;
- immediately process the harvested crop.
Doubles and their differences
Tiger sawfoil, like any forest inhabitant, has its edible and inedible counterparts. These include:
- Goblet - an inedible, but not poisonous specimen, with a large cap, reddish-cream color. In adult representatives, the surface fades and becomes whitish. The shape changes from hemispherical to funnel-shaped. The pulp is elastic, elastic, exudes a delicate fruity aroma. They prefer to grow on dead wood, but can also parasitize living wood, infecting the tree with white rot. It grows in large quantities in regions with warm climates. Since this forest dweller is loved by rodents, he does not have time to grow old.
- Scaly – belongs to the 4th group of edibility. After heat treatment, the harvested crop can be fried, boiled and canned. You can recognize it by its light gray or light brown cap and thick, dense stem. The surface is dry, covered with dark scales. The pulp is light, with a pleasant mushroom aroma. Prefers to grow on stumps and dead coniferous wood. It can also be seen on telegraph poles and sleepers. Grows singly or in small groups. Fruiting occurs from July to September.
Conclusion
Tiger sawfoil is a conditionally edible representative of the mushroom kingdom. Only the caps of young specimens are used for food. The fungus can be found on rotting wood from May until the first frost.Experienced mushroom pickers advise passing by unknown species, since inedible and poisonous ones can cause irreparable harm to the body.
